Sticker Business

How Profitable Is A Sticker Business? (Updated for 2024)

Pat Walls

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Updated: October 6th, 2024

How Profitable Is A Sticker Business? (Updated for 2024)

So you want to start a sticker business?

And the first question that came to your mind was, “well, are sticker businesses actually profitable?”

Especially considering:

You could start a sticker business with as low as $100
Based on our data, sticker businesses generate an average of $550K per year
You could see gross margins as high as 25% with sticker businesses

There’s money to be made. Don’t worry.

But, I don't want to spoil it all. Below we’ll cover everything you need to know when it comes to the profitability of a sticker business.

Let’s dive in!

Is a sticker business profitable?

Yes, a sticker business is generally a profitable business. However, you still need to consider several factors since these things always impact the overall outcome.

For instance, since average revenue is $550K per year with an estimated gross margin of 90%, you could expect to recover your investment within 8 months or even less.

But of course, it all comes down to how much you earn compared to the potential revenues of your sticker business.

To determine whether your business is profitable, you should earn more than your expenses in the beginning months. However, while you're in your first month, it can be challenging to know what to expect.

Therefore, you should maintain a record of your monthly expenses and income to determine whether you're meeting your goals. By doing this step, you can see how your sticker business is doing and if any changes or adjustments need to be made to enhance or maintain your efforts.

Is a sticker business worth it?

If you’re wondering if a sticker business is worth it, the answer is a big YES. With sticker businesses, you have the potential to earn $550K per year (this is based on data reported by real founders).

Further, you could have your initial investment back within months. Simply put, it’s a business worth a shot, especially if you have the resources and make the necessary efforts to achieve or surpass the target.

With a market size of $, it will be possible for you to build something that grows and turns into a flourishing business. As such, it’s the type of business you might want to consider starting.

Of course, you must learn and understand every aspect of running a sticker business to ensure success. Still, as long as you have the initial investment and can endure a few months before your actual gains, this business could be worth it.

You might want to consider reading more specifics about successful sticker businesses case studies.

Examples Of Profitable Sticker Businesses

Here are a few examples of profitable sticker businesses, and a few more details about them:

1. Viva Magenta Project ($60K/year)

Inspired by summers spent learning the printing business from his entrepreneurial father, a successful global corporate careerist identified a gap in the market for customized, aesthetically pleasing packaging. Balancing a full-time job, he invested personal savings to launch Viva Magenta Project, now thriving with significant client base growth and revenue increases.

Is it profitable? Yes
What's the gross margin? 25%
How much money it makes: $60K/year
How much did it cost to start: $1K

How We Launched A Sustainable Packaging Business And Got Our First Customers

Discover how Viva Magenta Project, a bold venture in bespoke packaging solutions, skyrocketed its client base and revenue by leveraging targeted Google Ads, strategic social media engagement, and outstanding customer service, all while remaining debt-free on an initial $1,250 investment.

Read this case study

Read by 675 founders

2. Cinquanta Cox-Smith ($120K/year)

Cinquanta Cox-Smith, a Multipreneur from South Carolina, stumbled upon the Print On Demand industry 12 years ago when she wanted to create a unique shirt and discovered Spreadshirt.com. Through her creativity and networking skills, she found success in designing and selling catchy, conversation-starting shirts. This eventually led her to create multiple POD brands on various platforms, generating an impressive $120k per year in revenue.

Is it profitable? Yes
How much money it makes: $120K/year
How much did it cost to start: $100

I Make $120K/Year With My Print On Demand T-Shirt Side Hustle

A multipreneur shares how she built a successful print on demand side hustle, generating $120,000 per year through multiple brands spread over various platforms.

Read this case study

Read by 12,065 founders

3. Sticker it ($2.4M/year)

David Rubie-Todd, the co-founder of Sticker it, came up with the idea for the business while running Kartdavid, a company that designed and manufactured custom graphics for motorsport. After experiencing the limitations and poor quality of local sticker shops, David and his brother decided to start their own sticker printing business in 2018. They have since grown the company to $125,000/month in revenue, expanding into multiple countries and focusing on providing high-quality, customizable products.

Is it profitable? Yes
How much money it makes: $2.4M/year
How much did it cost to start: $13K

These Brothers Started A Custom Stickers Business At 16 And Have Grown It To $1.5M/Year

Sticker It is a custom sticker business that has grown to $125,000/month in revenue and 4x YoY growth by using technology to enhance the buying experience and expanding into multiple countries, with plans to launch throughout Europe in 2022, offering high-quality custom products for small and large brands worldwide.

Read this case study

Read by 4,324 founders

Learn more about starting a sticker business:

Where to start?

-> How much does it cost to start a sticker business?
-> Pros and cons of a sticker business

Need inspiration?

-> Other sticker business success stories
-> Marketing ideas for a sticker business
-> Sticker business names

Other resources

-> Sticker business tips

How much can you make with a sticker business?

With a sticker business, you can make an average of $550K revenue per year (based on data reported by real businesses).

You can start with an initial investment as low as $100. Then, with proper knowledge and sustained effort, you could have an ROI (return of investment) within 8 months.

How much does a sticker business make a week?

Based on our data, average weekly revenue for a sticker business ranges around $11.5K. As such, you could see monthly revenues of $45.8K.

To know if your sticker business achieves the weekly profit target, you need to keep track of the total earnings you get per day. Afterward, you'll want to consider subtracting the expenses you have daily.

Learning your weekly profit can also show whether you're hitting your target goal for your sticker business.

How much do sticker businesses owners make?

The income of a sticker business owner can vary depending on various factors such as location, size, competition, and the owner's business skills.

But to give you some idea, the weekly revenue of an established sticker business is about $11.5K. But this can be lower or higher depending on so many factors - it's almost impossible to say exactly.

While the potential for earning a good income as a sticker business owner exists, success in this field requires a commitment to providing quality products and services and building a strong reputation within the community.

Sticker Business Profit Margins

Generally speaking, a sticker business can expect profit margin of around 90%. Profit margins refer to the percentage of revenue that remains after deducting all expenses associated with running a business. In the case of a sticker business, profit margins can vary depending on various factors, such as the type and quality of products sold, the size of the store, and the level of competition in the area.

However, these figures can vary depending on the pricing strategy, inventory management, and overall efficiency of the business. To maintain healthy profit margins, sticker business owners must focus on managing costs, negotiating favorable supplier terms, and providing high-quality products and services to attract and retain customers. By doing so, sticker business owners can ensure long-term sustainability and profitability for their business.

Sticker business owner salary

The salary of a sticker business owner is an unpredictable figure. It's significantly influenced by numerous factors, including the store's location, its size, and the degree of competition. An owner of a well-established sticker business, in a prime position, might see an average weekly salary around the ballpark of $10.3K.

But it's worth noting, such numbers aren't always consistent. The earnings can vary wildly, potentially swinging by as much as 80% either way.

Achieving consistent success and maintaining a reliable income stream in this industry requires a deep commitment. It's imperative to offer high-quality products, deliver impeccable customer service, and nurture a trusted bond with the community you serve.

Conclusion

In a nutshell, based on many of our examples, a sticker business may be a promising business to start - but the success of your sticker business mostly depends on your effort and your approach.

If you focus on these, you'll have a much higher chance of a profitable sticker business.

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Starting A Sticker Business: Everything You Need To Know

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