12 Profitable Desktop Publishing Business Ideas
If you are looking for desktop publishing business ideas to begin your path to entrepreneurship, you are in the right place.
With starting a desktop publishing business, there are plenty of opportunities that can help you follow your dreams and build a successful career.
In this post, you will discover profitable business ideas, perfect for those who want to have a flexible job, capable of multiplying the average income, while becoming your own boss.
Check out the full list below to help you find your next idea!
Here they are:
1. Start a website development business
Website developers create websites for their clients. as a website developer, your responsibility is to ensure a website is visually appealing and easy to navigate. Web developers also focus on improving the website’s performance and capacity.
To become a website developer, learn different web programming languages. Your customers can be eCommerce business owners or brick-and-mortar businesses looking to have an online presence.
How much you can make: $200 — $8,500,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 55 days (?)
How a founder turned his passion for marketing and technology into a successful Boston-based web design and SEO company, generating over $20k in sales each month by focusing on serving the niche market of small businesses through affordable and personalized services, while establishing his reputation through B2B networking and online initiatives.
2. Start a custom prints business
Custom print businesses often focus on printing everything, including business cards, photos, and even custom T-shirts.
To start an online custom prints business, choose a niche to help your business stand out and attract the right target audience. Then, focus on producing quality prints of different sizes, materials, and designs. You may hire designers online or search for designs in online design communities. Then, validate the designs before you begin mass production. Finally, set up an online store, and launch the business.
Remember that with the growth in popularity of selling custom prints, expect to face stiff competition. Therefore, you should market your custom prints on social media to maximize your reach.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $3,000,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 365 days (?)
Framed Tweets, an online store that offers customers the opportunity to frame tweets as art, started by grossing $20k in its first year and increasing to $110k in the second year, and now has monthly gross sales of $20k from Instagram ads, spending about $300 a day.
3. Start a branding agency
A branding agency helps create, develop, maintain and improve brands. The role of branding agencies is to create, plan, measure, and manage branding strategies for clients to support them in advertising and other promotions.
Business branding has always been a vital part of a business. With branding, businesses reach more customers daily and stay relevant to their existing customers. As companies compete to get more customers and remain relevant, there is a high demand for branding solutions.
Starting a branding agency can be a profitable and satisfying business venture. To start a branding agency, you must be able to weave together disparate pieces of data and information into compelling narratives so you can help a business convey its story or express its unique values and culture.
How much you can make: $1,300 — $350,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,250 (?)
How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)
How one founder started a luxury boutique branding house and quit her corporate job, becoming a successful entrepreneur with a team of contractors, interns, and VAs, expanding services to personal styling, social media management, and content creation, while building an online course and planning to become a community for female entrepreneurs.
4. Start a print communication business
5. Become a graphic designer
Graphic designing involves creating sketch designs and materials for corporate clients, advertising agencies, public relations firms, and publishers. Besides, graphic designers provide visual solutions to specific company images, log design, and branding problems.
Graphic design is an excellent career for creative thinkers who enjoy using their talent and artistic skills combined with technology and communication abilities to come up with unique solutions for their clients.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $100,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 67 days (?)
This case study features Md. Yousuf Ali, the founder of Rank Trends, who shares how he started a successful digital marketing agency, which generated a revenue of over $6k per month through SEO and video production services.
6. Start a souvenir shop
A souvenir shop is a retail store that sells items that are typically associated with a particular place or event. These items can range from t-shirts and hats to postcards and magnets.
To start a souvenir shop, you must find a suitable location, such as a busy tourist destination or a famous shopping center. You will also need to purchase inventory, such as souvenirs and other novelty items, and attractively display them. You may also need to invest in marketing materials, such as signage and social media advertising, to attract customers.
To operate a souvenir shop, you must keep track of your inventory and restock as needed. You should also keep track of your sales and expenses to ensure your business is profitable. Customer service is also essential in this type of business, as you will interact with people from different parts of the world.
Overall, a souvenir shop can be a fun and rewarding business idea for those who enjoy interacting with people and showcasing unique products. If you are interested in starting your souvenir shop, do thorough research and seek advice from experienced business owners. Good luck!
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
7. Start a large prints design business
Got a knack for creativity and eye-catching designs? Consider launching a large prints design business. This venture focuses on creating striking, oversized artwork for corporate offices, homes, events, and even public spaces.
You would be responsible for conceptualizing vibrant designs and working alongside print shops to bring them to life on a grand scale. The process involves understanding client needs, designing custom graphics, and overseeing the production process to ensure quality.
The demand for unique, large prints is growing as businesses and homeowners seek to make impactful visual statements. This idea merges artistic skills with business acumen, providing a fulfilling blend of creativity and commerce.
If you’re looking for a way to monetize your design skills and enjoy working on projects that literally make a big impression, this could be the perfect business opportunity for you.
How much you can make: $1,000,000/month
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
Web-to-print software company Design'N'Buy has acquired clients in over 40 countries and earned a turnover of $1.5 million and 1,000+ clients across 60+ countries within a short span of existence.
8. Start an ebook formatting business
Book formats can make or break a reading experience. Starting an ebook formatting business allows you to transform messy manuscripts into polished, professional eBooks ready for publication.
Your role would entail converting written content into various eBook formats, ensuring compatibility across devices like Kindle and Nook. Using tools like Scrivener and Vellum, you'd handle tasks from adjusting layouts to embedding multimedia.
This business caters to self-published authors, small publishers, and businesses needing engaging digital content. Unlike other ventures, it requires little startup capital—just expertise in document formatting and a keen eye for detail.
As digital publishing continues to grow, so does the demand for professional ebook formatting. This could be a rewarding opportunity for those who enjoy combining technical skills with creativity.
How much you can make: $17,000/month
How long does it take to build: 450 days (?)
Praveen Malik shares how he started a $17k per month project management blog business in 2016 with negligible revenue, and grew his gross profit margin to about 80% by selling his own eBooks and marketing third-party training programs through his blog.
9. Become a painter/decorator business
A painter/decorator business is a company that provides painting and decorating services to residential and commercial properties. This business involves preparing surfaces for painting, mixing and applying paint, and completing various decorating tasks such as hanging wallpaper or installing crown molding.
To run a successful painter/decorator business, it is essential to have a strong work ethic and attention to detail. You should also have a good understanding of color theory and be able to recommend appropriate paint colors for different spaces. Having excellent customer service skills is also essential, as building good relationships with clients is crucial for generating repeat business.
To attract clients, creating a website and social media presence is advisable to showcase your work and provide contact information. You should also consider offering competitive pricing and ensuring that your work is completed on time and to a high standard. It is also a good idea to have insurance coverage in case of any accidents or damages during the course of your work.
Starting a painter/decorator business can be a rewarding and fulfilling opportunity for entrepreneurs with an eye for detail and a passion for creating beautiful spaces.
How much you can make: $27,500/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,562 (?)
How long does it take to build: 212 days (?)
Hometown Painting LLC, an exterior residential painting company founded by a husband-wife duo, went from no sales in their first year to over $100,000 net profit the next year, and is projected to reach half a million in annual sales with a 30-35% net margin with continued growth and adding more crew in the next year.
10. Start a cartoonist business
Got a knack for drawing and storytelling? Consider starting a cartoonist business. At its core, this business revolves around creating original illustrations and animated content for various platforms like social media, blogs, and publications.
Kickstart this venture by developing a strong portfolio showcasing your unique style. Platforms like Instagram or DeviantArt can serve as excellent showcases to attract potential clients. Besides, networking with writers, marketers, and publishers can lead to consistent gigs.
The demand for engaging visual content is surging, creating ample opportunities for skilled cartoonists. Whether it’s for educational contexts, advertising campaigns, or entertainment, your creativity can address multiple needs. Taking up freelance projects initially can help in building a steady income stream.
In a world driven by visuals, your ability to bring stories to life through cartoons can set you apart. Embark on this creative journey and turn your artistic skills into a thriving business.
How much you can make: $100 — $4,700/month
How much does it cost to start: $475 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Avatoon.net founders share how they started a $4.7k/month business selling custom hand-drawn avatars and grew to an average of $5,000 per month with ~100 clients through SEO-focused marketing and serving returning companies.
11. Start an office supplies business
Launching an office supplies business isn't the most glamorous idea, but it can be highly rewarding. This venture involves sourcing and selling essential items like paper, pens, and other office necessities.
The premise is straightforward: identify reliable suppliers for your inventory, set up an online or brick-and-mortar store, and market your business to local companies and remote workers. The demand for office supplies is consistent, making it a stable endeavor.
Interest spikes when you consider the market's diversity. From small businesses to large corporations, everyone needs quality office supplies. Coupled with the rise of home offices, there's an expanding customer base to target.
Exciting opportunities exist in building relationships with repeat clients, offering subscription services for frequently-used items, and even bundling products for convenience. If you are detail-oriented and have a knack for managing inventory, this is a solid business idea worth exploring.
How much you can make: $500,000 — $749,997/month
How long does it take to build: 150 days (?)
Branch Office Furniture offers a new approach to the office furniture industry, selling high-quality furniture directly to businesses with space design, delivery, and installation included at one-third to one-half of the price of comparable quality products, resulting in over $1M in sales since launching in Q1 of 2019.
12. Start a desktop publishing tutorials business
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Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
