One of the best home-based business opportunities for those with an artistic flair may be starting your own vinyl decal business. Vinyl decals appear in both business and consumer goods, and have virtually an unlimited number of applications, from warning signs to holiday stickers. Starting your own vinyl decal business requires little up-front investment and virtually no training for those familiar with designing computer graphics, making the startup process short and straight-forward.
Step 1
Choose a name for your decal business that reflects what you’ll be doing as well as communicates some positive quality you’d like to have associated with your business. For example, “Instant Vinyl” or “Vinyl Decals Now” might be more descriptive names than “Mike’s Decals”.
Step 2
Visit your state tax agency’s website (see Resources for list) to learn whether or not you’re required to secure a vendor’s license to conduct business in your state. For most states that collect sales tax, a vendor’s license registers you to collect sales tax on all in-state transactions, and will include instructions for remitting sales tax collected to the state.
Step 3
Find a location to work in. If you’re planning to open a retail store, search out rental space that will allow you to work with customers along with another area where you can print and trim decals. If you’re not planning a retail shop, your work area may be a basement, garage or other home-based location where your equipment and supplies can be arranged and left without being disturbed.
Step 4
Buy the equipment and supplies needed for your business. Your purchases should include a computer (if you don’t already have one), graphic design software, a wide-carriage vinyl printer or plotter, vinyl materials for making decals out of, and vinyl wrap for vehicle wrapping graphics.
Step 5
Start marketing your business by designing and applying a graphic wrap to your vehicle that demonstrates what you can do and lists some of the other applications your decals are effective for. Your decaled vehicle will serve as a mobile billboard for your business as you service customers or simply drive around town. It’s also a great way to demonstrate the quality of the work you can deliver.
Step 6
Make a list of other ways to market your business, along with the marketing materials you’ll need to carry out your plan. Include having business cards and flyers printed, introducing special offers or discounts for new customers and developing sales brochures that illustrate some of your best work and demonstrate the variety of decals you’re capable of producing.
Step 7
Seek out strategic partnerships that can help you cross-promote your new business. For example, you might arrange to offer customers of a local car-detailing business a special discount on your vehicle wrap service, or include a discounted or free detailing with every sale. Other potential partners might be car lots, car washes or promotional item businesses.
