How do I get a book repair business started?

July 9, 2008 8:05 PM

I'm thinking of starting up a home-based business doing repair and cosmetic work on old/damaged books and other artefacts. How do I get started? General knowledge about the logistics of starting a small, home-based business are also welcome.

I work as a conservator/archivist in my day job, and every week or so someone will come in with something they are interested in having repaired. Legally, I am not allowed to offer advice about the conservation or preservation (or appraisal) of the object while I'm at work. Invariably, the person who brought the object will ask if I know of anyone who can do the work for them.

I usually have the skills needed to help them, whether its paper repair, book repair, or general artefact care. The materials to set me up in this job wouldn't be prohibitively expensive, and of course I wouldn't borrow anything from my workplace. I could do the work in the evenings or on weekends. I've even thought ahead and toyed with the idea of doing personal archives work, including organizing family papers, research, personal histories, etc.

How do I get the word out about what I'm offering? I've thought about fliers at libraries and craft stores, but is there another option I'm forgetting? Should I set up a website? How do I find customers in general?

Also, I've received varying advice about setting up an LLC. Is this necessary? Will it make tax stuff and write-offs for training and materials easier?

Finally, any advice about the logistics of operating a small business in limited space in one's home are also welcome.

Thanks!

posted by anonymous to work & money (5 comments total)

Depending on where you work, freelancing on the side may be considered a conflict of interest. You may want to check. I do know conservators who pick up projects on the side, and who even have permission to use the labs at their day jobs for projects, so what you have in mind is totally reasonable. Depending on how much formal conservation training you have, you might need to be careful on how you represent yourself and the types of services you offer.

The big thing you are going to want to do is look into insurance coverage. What will happen if you have someone's family heirloom or valuable artifact in your home and you are burglarized, there is a natural disaster or you accidentally break something or a treatment goes awry?

I currently work in the conservation/museum field. Some of the equipment I need to use daily, for example a fume extractor and a Nilfisk archival vacuum are wildly expensive. I can't imagine doing any treatments without these items. Would you be able to purchase this kind of equipment for your home workshop? Also think about what kind of humidity and climate control you have in your home.

You will also want to keep meticulous records and come up with an invoicing system.
posted by pluckysparrow at 9:30 PM on July 9, 2008

I'd also consider whether the market for this sort of thing is large enough to support such a business. I'd imagine that many of the people who approach you now at work have no idea of how much time it might require, or how expensive it might be. It seems likely that a large number of them would walk away when you gave them a price.

I don't have much specific knowledge about your field, but I spent a year as an apprentice in a modern bindery, working alongside an old dutch bookbinder who'd started making sample books by hand before WWII. He, too, was occasionally approached about repairing this or that, but declined unless it was for family or friends. He once completely disassembled and re-bound a disintegrating family bible, refusing to ask for payment. The woman who'd asked his help found a way to slip him $20.
posted by jon1270 at 5:26 AM on July 10, 2008

Since I imagine you already have the tools and the knowledge, just get some business cards printed up. While it might be a conflict of interest to hand them out at work, you should go around to local bookstores (especially ones that carry used books, but even chains). Give them a small stack of cards and explain your business to them.

If they like you, I wouldn't be surprised if they handed out your card the next time someone came in asking about getting a book repaired.

The demand might not be amazing, but you just might be able to eat out more.
posted by drezdn at 6:33 AM on July 10, 2008

Maybe you could offer your services to this Mefi user?
posted by drezdn at 12:50 PM on July 15, 2008

For a minute I thought I wrote this post...

I'm just in the middle of setting up the same kind of business. Your questions:

I've thought about fliers at libraries and craft stores, but is there another option I'm forgetting?
Bookstores, antique stores, printers, coffeeshops. The more exposure the better. Go to craft fairs. Hold a demonstration at your local museum or library.

Should I set up a website?
Yes. Even if it just has a few pieces of contact info or tips for how to take care of books.

How do I find customers in general?
They need to be able to find you. All I can say is networking, advertising and hustle. Tell everyone what you do. Show them pictures. Try posting to other more regional specific and book related blogs.

Also, think about joining AIC, or getting listed with Bookworkers guild or a similar group.
Good luck!
posted by ikahime at 6:57 PM on July 15, 2008