If you are creative and love papercrafts, then a wedding stationery business could be for you. Here are our top tips to help you get started:

First of all, is it for you? 

Pros:

• can be run from home
• does not require a large upfront investment.
• can work flexible hours around other commitments

Cons:

• very competitive and you will need to work hard and smart to make a living wage.
• the work can be repetitive – will you be happy tying 100 ribbon bows at a time?
• seasonal – everyone seems to order their stationery in January.

So how do you start?

photo © 2010 Anita Brown | more info (via: Wylio)

Define your style and technique – printed, letterpress, embellished, foiled. There are lots of options – browse the marketplace and choose a method that suits your style. As well as invitations, you should offer the full range of stationery items.

Define your target market – it’s best to decide on budget, mid-range or top-end rather than cater for everyone. You can then create your designs accordingly and concentrate your marketing.

Create your marketing and business plan first – then work on your designs. Hard, I know, when you are brimming with ideas. But unless brides know about you, your lovely designs will never be used.

A good, search engine optimised website is essential these days. Make sure yours can be easily updated and that you get great photos of your designs. Social media such as facebook and twitter can be very effective for stationery businesses.

Research your competitors – what are they charging, how do they handle ordering, where are they advertising – but DO NOT copy any else’s designs. All designs are automatically protected by copyright – make sure you understand the copyright laws and what you can do to protect your designs.

Choose your suppliers carefully – you will need consistency and responsiveness as well as quality and value for money.

Make sure you know how long each design takes to put together. Look for tweaks which will speed up the manufacture without compromising the design.

When setting your pricing you will need to consider

• the cost of materials 
• the time taken to make up 
• the time spent on proofs and customer service
• overheads such as marketing, accountancy
• the cost of posting the order to the client

Don’t underestimate the value of your time – you may not expect to get rich but you will want to make a profit!

photo © 2010 William Arthur Fine Stationery | more info (via: Wylio)

Begin with a small portfolio of designs and build it up as you discover what sells. Even if you plan to do mainly bespoke work you will need some sample designs to attract customers.

Brides usually want to see samples before they commit. Work out what you will charge for these and whether you will refund the cost of samples when a full order is placed. Offering free samples is not recommended. A nominal charge will ensure the potential client really is interested in your work.

Your terms and conditions need to be clear and carefully thought out. Mistakes can happen – ensure the client is responsible for approving wording etc. You will also need to decide on a payment schedule (e.g. 100% up front, 50% deposit with balance before dispatch) and what payment method you will use.

Once you are ready to go – be patient! It will take time to build up your reputation and client base.