The cover for the document is a pretty sought-after accessory in everyday life, but not because of its direct purpose. There has long been no shortage of products in the market for products that ensure the safety of documents. A new feature of the covers stood out: individual design. Demand for products is high, the manufacturing price of the product, as a rule, is the opposite. Now we begin to consider the specifics of this activity.
Production of covers for documents as a business: all the pros and cons
First, it should be clarified that there is artisanal and industrial production. The artisanal production of passport covers, for example, involves the production of small print runs and the high uniqueness of the product. Such options will appeal to those who prefer original accessories with a twist. The industrial production of document covers provides a large production of standard products, an average price for a product and lower uniqueness. After proper positioning, there will be connoisseurs of both types of products. It is possible to expand any type of production or reprofiling.
In this manual, an example of the implementation of a business idea for people who do not have experience in this field of activity will be considered. In both cases, before starting a business, it is recommended to accumulate a financial reserve, the loss of which will not affect your condition. We will begin to consider with the home option, for which one employee is enough.
How to bring a business idea to life officially?
In order to start conducting activities, you need to go through the following steps:
- to get acquainted as much as possible with the subject, methods and working methods;
- purchase equipment for the production of covers for documents and materials (save checks, preferably “commodity”);
- make room for equipment and work;
- make several simple models to your taste (needed for presentations and an approximate calculation of the price of the product);
- promote the service among acquaintances (start with acquaintances, continue with their recommendations);
- take photographs of each finished product (replenishment of the portfolio);
- place ads on the Internet (send parcels by cash on delivery);
- after you make sure that there is a constant flow of customers, you need to register as an individual entrepreneur.
Until the last stage of the penalty for non-payment of personal income tax and the collection of the tax itself, one should not be afraid. Payment of tax follows from the fact of obtaining economic benefits. The amount of non-payment itself must also be tracked and proved (we recall the commodity checks and copies of statements if purchases were made via the Internet).
Technology for the production of covers for documents
The most popular are the covers of the following types: for passports, passports, driver's licenses, student ID cards (or variants of their combinations). Each cover consists of several basic elements. Limitations depend only on the equipment available.
The average cover without decorations consists of the following details:
- rectangular base;
- lining on the inside (to hide the seams);
- extra small pocket;
- locks, latches or zippers.
The simplest industrial-style cover consists of the following parts:
- monophonic blanks on which the drawing is applied by printing;
- additional inserts (glued or hemmed);
- additional decorations.
Equipment
You will most likely need the following equipment for the production of covers:
- printer (depending on funding, several printers may be needed to apply drawings to different materials: fabric, leather, plastic);
- ink cartridges (when buying a printer model, pay attention to its consumables);
- supplies for the printer;
- sewing machine (you need a model that can work with both normal and small cuts);
- scissors;
- stationery knife;
- fine sand paper (to frame the skin);
- set of needles;
- thimble;
- tailor's chalk (convenient for marking);
- glue;
- locks and latches;
- thin linen elastic bands (for pockets);
- fabric, leather and thread for the desired model;
- an awl or a small hand drill (for making holes);
- a set of tools for embossing the skin (this is an excess, take as needed);
- brand as elements of decoration or company markup (home-made or order).
When printing images on fabric or plastic, you will need skills to work with drawings and photographs on a computer.
Market segmentation: how to promote the service
From the very beginning, you should decide which type of product is best to produce. One that pays faster and better, but that's in theory. Let us examine an example in practice.
Making homemade cases with the required skill does not take a lot of time, therefore, you need to make several models in a line in advance in order to have something to offer and partially save development time. Who should like covers first of all? Girls who follow the beauty and unusual wardrobe items. It follows that the models must meet women's needs. Coloring should emphasize the image of a person. The production of passport covers can correspond to the current color scheme of the wardrobe: it can be combined with a handbag, a phone case and other accessories. We pay attention to how people dress in the city, we monitor trends in fashion. We are trying to make the production of covers for documents consistent with them.
A good idea is to develop sets of covers: selling a few pieces or one design, but for different documents.
The blanks are done. We appeal to all friends and acquaintances. We offer them services. We give a couple of models on hand for an accurate presentation. We are waiting for a response from the word of mouth. In order not to waste time, register in online stores and auctions. We post photos of finished works.
It should be considered how to expand the provision of services: some printer models can print drawings on phone cases, equipment should also be sufficient for sewing activities. Hold on to anything that is contiguous and will not interfere with core business.
If there is no response, then we redo the model and again let our acquaintances study it. On the Internet we promote goods using advertising at the rate of not more than 10% of income.
Materials for production
Covers for documents are made mainly of fabrics, leather, plastic. Additional decorations can be applied by printing or by hand. The main thing is that everything is appropriate and balanced. Each material has its own characteristics. There are far fewer problems with tissue than with skin. However, the business class cannot afford cheap things. Leather in this regard will be preferable. This is worth considering.
Do not forget that the cost of consumables also affects the company's profitability. A balance must be sought between price and quality.
Summarizing
The production of document covers is a business idea that is not new, but in demand. A distinctive feature is the ability to change the profile of work and expand activities. The success of an enterprise depends on skills and good advertising. Even without a large investment, a creative person can succeed.