35 Paper Business Ideas You Can Start Today [2023]

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Updated: January 20th, 2022

35 Paper Business Ideas You Can Start Today [2023]

Interested in starting a paper business in 2023?

We put together 35 of the best paper businesses you can start in today.

For each business idea, we’ll show you real-world examples of other paper businesses to help you see what it really takes.

Here's the full list:

1. Start a greeting cards business ($1.2M/year)

How Much Can You Make?

$2,000 — $100,000/month

View all 5 case studies

Average Initial Investment

$11,166

Time To Revenue

300 days

Skills

Self Motivation Skills

Crafty Skills

Customer Service Skills

Business Savvy Skills

Design Skills

Business model

E-Commerce

Brick & Mortar

Travis Peterson from Irvine, California, USA started Joker Greeting almost 8 years ago, a Greeting Cards Business.

Revenue: $100,000/ month
Founders: 2
Employees: 0
Location: Irvine, California, USA

Case Study

My background is in finance. I worked in investment banking for six years in New York. I loved the job, the people, and the hours. But as a service job I wanted to be making things not just helping others make things. This desire has led me to where I am today.

My brother and I have always loved to make fun of everything. Around 2014, we visited my mom’s house and she had this musical greeting card. We thought it was annoying. We asked each other, "Who wants to listen to this!?" Then Nick asked, “What if it didn’t stop?”

That was it. Nothing more. No market research.

i-created-a-prank-card-company-grew-it-to-30k-month

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I Created A Prank Card Company & Grew It To $30K/Month ➜

2. Start a handmade paper goods business ($13.2K/year)

How Much Can You Make?

$1,100/month

View all 1 case studies

Skills

Self Motivation Skills

Customer Service Skills

Business Savvy Skills

Business model

Brick & Mortar

E-Commerce

Abigail Butler from Denver, Colorado, USA started Chirps & Cricket Design Studio about 8 years ago, a handmade paper goods business.

Revenue: $1,100/ month
Founders: 1
Employees: 0
Location: Denver, Colorado, USA

Case Study

In 2010, while living in Chicago, IL, I interviewed for a graphic design position at an international commercial real estate company located here in Denver.

After almost four years with the company I began growing restless with a desire to challenge myself creatively and to continue to grow both as an artist and as a person.

After several phone conversations and a Skype interview, I was offered the job. Craving adventure and a big change, I packed up a U-Haul and moved myself across the country to Denver to begin this new chapter in my life. I loved my new corporate job at first! Commercial real estate was a foreign language to me in the beginning, but made sense after some time, and of course what I loved was that I was able to apply my knowledge as a designer to my work. The bulk of my work at the time was spent designing marketing items, such as brochures, mailers, email marketing, etc. And every once in a while, I had the opportunity to design something very fun like a logo or a website.

leaving-my-corporate-career-to-start-my-own-design-business

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Leaving My Corporate Career To Start My Own Design Business ➜

3. Start a banana paper making business

Examples of a successful banana paper making business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a banana paper making business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

The Green Banana Papers : Marketing Secrets For Technology Entrepreneurs

Learn more about starting a banana paper making business ➜

4. Start a paper exports business

Examples of a successful paper exports business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a paper exports business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Learn more about starting a paper exports business ➜

5. Start a paper bags business

Examples of a successful paper bags business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a paper bags business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Bags With Paper And Stitch: Innovative Surface Techniques

Learn more about starting a paper bags business ➜

6. Become a newspaper publisher

Examples of a successful newspaper publisher:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a newspaper publisher:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Learn more about starting a newspaper publisher ➜

7. Start a paper crafts designing business

Time To Revenue

180 days

Skills

Self Motivation Skills

Crafty Skills

Customer Service Skills

Business Savvy Skills

Design Skills

Business model

E-Commerce

Brick & Mortar

Examples of a successful paper crafts designing business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a paper crafts designing business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Learn more about starting a paper crafts designing business ➜

8. Start a book store

Examples of a successful book store:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a book store:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Learn more about starting a book store ➜

9. Start a paper business

Examples of a successful paper business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a paper business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Learn more about starting a paper business ➜

10. Start an exercise notebook making business

How Much Can You Make?

$6,000/month

View all 1 case studies

Skills

Design Skills

Business Savvy Skills

Customer Service Skills

Crafty Skills

Self Motivation Skills

Examples of a successful exercise notebook making business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a exercise notebook making business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Learn more about starting an exercise notebook making business ➜

Case Study

The Paper Saver started in Melbourne, Australia, in 2015 with the simple goal to reduce paper waste. Designed by my co-founder and partner Jon Yong, he and I are now also parents with the desire for our two young children to grow up in a sustainable world. Driven by this, the Paper Saver aims to promote environmental awareness and sustainable living.

Since launching in 2015, we have grown YOY on an average of 20%, and are now on a mission to spread the word further with a project on Kickstarter, aimed at creating awareness that anyone from kids to adults can reduce waste and live more sustainably with the Sparkle Paper Saver.

how-we-invented-and-launched-a-notebook-that-saves-paper

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How We Invented And Launched A Notebook That Saves Paper ➜

11. Start a wall paper fixing business

Examples of a successful wall paper fixing business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a wall paper fixing business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Learn more about starting a wall paper fixing business ➜

12. Start a mobile paper shredding business

Examples of a successful mobile paper shredding business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a mobile paper shredding business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Learn more about starting a mobile paper shredding business ➜

13. Start an egg tray making business

Examples of a successful egg tray making business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a egg tray making business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Learn more about starting an egg tray making business ➜

14. Start an envelopes and files business

Examples of a successful envelopes and files business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a envelopes and files business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

15. Start a paper and stationary distribution business

How Much Can You Make?

$1,000,000/month

View all 1 case studies

Skills

Design Skills

Business Savvy Skills

Self Motivation Skills

Negotiation Skills

Examples of a successful paper and stationary distribution business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a paper and stationary distribution business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Learn more about starting a paper and stationary distribution business ➜

Case Study

Brian and Rachel Goulet co-founded The Goulet Pen Company in 2007. Their mission is to provide fountain pen enthusiasts with the most personal online shopping experience through comprehensive education, exemplary service, and products.

The Goulet Pen Company originally began as a hobby in 2007. After making over 800 custom rollerball pens, Brian took an interest in fountain pens after attending the DC Fountain Pen Supershow in 2009.

In late 2009, they decided to expand from writing instruments to enhancing the overall writing experience. From making pens, they went on to make notebooks, planners, stationery, cleaning supplies, and much more.

Brian grew up in an entrepreneurial family with military experience and a degree in residential property management. He aspires to become a globally recognized retailing firm through a business, and he’s presently in charge of more than 20 employees on his team.

Rachel, his wife, joined the company seven years ago with nothing more than a concept and a website. She is in charge of establishing infrastructure, connecting the dots, and developing scalable systems.

This company was formed to give a personalized level of service via an internet platform, which has never been done before in the writing industry. The Goulet Pen Company has built a devoted following by providing high-quality items at reasonable pricing and exceptional customer service.

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Online retail niche store that focuses on fountain pens, ink, and pap... ➜

16. Start a paper cup making business

Examples of a successful paper cup making business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a paper cup making business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Learn more about starting a paper cup making business ➜

17. Start a paper recycling business

How Much Can You Make?

$16,000/month

View all 1 case studies

Average Initial Investment

$200,000

Examples of a successful paper recycling business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a paper recycling business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Case Study

Hello, my name is Yuki Lee. I'm the co-founder of Bagitan Packaging Company - a company that produces paper packaging products in China. Our primary products are paper bags, food packaging, foil packaging, and other disposable packaging products used in restaurants and takeout meals.

Since our inception in 2008, we have expanded into a company with annual net revenue of $200,000 and over 50 employees. It has been an incredible experience working with my partner - Frank Ouyang, he created the company Panda Paper Roll (see the story here), and we have learned many lessons along the way. I hope our experiences will be helpful to other entrepreneurs who are looking to start their own business in China.

how-we-started-a-paper-packaging-products-business-that-makes-192k-year

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How We Started A Paper Packaging Products Business That Makes $192K/Year ➜

18. Start a paper manufacturer

Examples of a successful paper manufacturer:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a paper manufacturer:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Learn more about starting a paper manufacturer ➜

19. Start a packaging box making business

Examples of a successful packaging box making business:

Custom Made Boxes

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a packaging box making business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Learn more about starting a packaging box making business ➜

20. Start a plate making business

Examples of a successful plate making business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a plate making business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Learn more about starting a plate making business ➜

21. Start a paper jewelry making business

Examples of a successful paper jewelry making business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a paper jewelry making business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Learn more about starting a paper jewelry making business ➜

22. Start a paper miling business

Examples of a successful paper miling business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a paper miling business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Learn more about starting a paper miling business ➜

23. Start a paper soap making business

Examples of a successful paper soap making business:

Cleancult

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a paper soap making business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Learn more about starting a paper soap making business ➜

24. Start a paper items wholesaling business

Examples of a successful paper items wholesaling business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a paper items wholesaling business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Learn more about starting a paper items wholesaling business ➜

25. Start a napkins business

Examples of a successful napkins business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a napkins business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Learn more about starting a napkins business ➜

26. Start a bookbinding and repair service

Examples of a successful bookbinding and repair service:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a bookbinding and repair service:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Learn more about starting a bookbinding and repair service ➜

27. Start a tissue paper making business

Examples of a successful tissue paper making business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a tissue paper making business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Learn more about starting a tissue paper making business ➜

28. Start a paper name tag business

Examples of a successful paper name tag business:

HODINKEE

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a paper name tag business:

Learn more about starting a paper name tag business ➜

29. Start a paper prototyping business

Examples of a successful paper prototyping business:

Protolabs

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a paper prototyping business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Learn more about starting a paper prototyping business ➜

30. Start a paper flowers production business

Examples of a successful paper flowers production business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a paper flowers production business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Learn more about starting a paper flowers production business ➜

31. Start a model kit business

Examples of a successful model kit business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a model kit business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Learn more about starting a model kit business ➜

32. Start a paper straws business

Examples of a successful paper straws business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a paper straws business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Starting And Managing A Courier Service: A Step By Step Approach To Starting And Managing A Successful Courier Service: Mr. Johnny Carrasquillo

Learn more about starting a paper straws business ➜

33. Start a cartoon box recycling business

Examples of a successful cartoon box recycling business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a cartoon box recycling business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Learn more about starting a cartoon box recycling business ➜

34. Start an architecture firm

Examples of a successful architecture firm:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a architecture firm:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Learn more about starting an architecture firm ➜

35. Start a paper modeling business

Examples of a successful paper modeling business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a paper modeling business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Learn more about starting a paper modeling business ➜

Pat Walls, Founder of Starter Story

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Pat Walls

I'm Pat Walls and I created Starter Story - a website dedicated to helping people start businesses. We interview entrepreneurs from around the world about how they started and grew their businesses.

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