§1What this business is
You use computers, page-layout and design software (InDesign, PageMaker, CorelDraw, MS Office and Hindi/Indian-language packages) and laser printers to typeset and design pages. Printing presses, publishers, government offices, schools, companies and advertising agencies give you newsletters, reports, brochures, certificates, invitations and catalogues. Small runs are printed or photocopied; large runs go to an offset press.
Capacity: Service profile: about 8 jobs a day at an average ₹600 — 600 banner designs, 900 brochures or catalogues and 900 social media designs a year.
§2Is it right for you?
Who it is for
A computer graduate or diploma holder with design sense and good Hindi and English typing.
Who it is not for
Someone without design or typing skill who only plans to buy computers.
Advantages
- Low investment
- Work comes from presses, offices, schools and agencies
- Indian-language typesetting is still in demand
- Can add photocopying, binding and web content work
Drawbacks
- Margins are thin in the larger profile — break-even above 80%
- Many cyber cafés and freelancers do the same work
- Software licences and upgrades cost money
- Phone apps and online design tools reduce simple jobs
Skills you need
- Page layout and design software
- Fast, accurate typing in Hindi and English
- Proofreading
- Getting job work from presses and offices
Why difficulty 2/5: Low investment and simple set-up, but earnings depend on design skill and steady job work.
§3Market
Who buys
- Printing and publishing houses
- Government departments and educational institutions
- Companies, industries and advertising agencies
- Students
How it sells
- Sub-contract job work for presses
- Walk-in customers
- Online orders by email
Good to know
- The DTP Centre profile suggests adding web publishing, photocopying, book binding and CAD training classes.
- Bilingual packages such as Venus and Prakashak are named for Indian-language typesetting.
§4Raw material & machinery
| Item | Qty | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Computers with design software (service profile) | 4 | ₹1,00,000 |
| Licensed designing software (service profile) | 4 | ₹1,20,000 |
| Inverter | 1 | ₹6,000 |
| Air conditioner | 1 | ₹28,000 |
| Internet and electrification | 1 | ₹5,000 |
| Computer systems, printers, scanner, UPS and design software (DTP Centre profile) | 1 lot | ₹4,85,000 |
From: SIDBI Stand-Up Mitra project profile — Desktop Publishing Service (2018) — private guide — confirm locally · SIDBI Stand-Up Mitra project profile — Desktop Publishing centre (2018) — private guide — confirm locally
- Paper, map litho paper and butter paperfor print-outs and printing masters
- Toner, ink and printer ribbonstoner refilling ₹1,500 a month in the service profile
- Lamination film₹2,000 a month in the service profile
From: SIDBI Stand-Up Mitra project profile — Desktop Publishing centre (2018) — private guide — confirm locally
Suppliers in Building Business Bazaar
Integrated Systems and Services · Guwahati →MICROTEK International Limited · Delhi →Quadra Soft Tech (P) Ltd · Guwahati →Soft Mart · Delhi →Swift Systems · Guwahati →Third Eye Infosys (P) Ltd · Guwahati →Vintron Informatics Ltd · New Delhi →Web.Com (India) Pvt. Ltd · Guwahati →
§5Licences & registration
- Udyam registration
- GST
- Shops and Establishments registration
- Fire safety and labour registrations (ESI, PF) as applicable
§6Schemes & subsidies
- PMEGPCentralActive15–35% subsidy
- MudraCentralActiveLoan up to ₹20 lakh, no collateral
- CGTMSECentralActiveNo collateral, up to ₹10 crore
Both profiles are well within PMEGP (service units up to ₹20 L) and MUDRA limits; CGTMSE can cover a collateral-free loan.
§7Money
How the investment is worked out: Small set-up (Desktop Publishing Service profile): equipment ₹3.09 L (4 computers, design software, inverter, AC, internet, furniture) + three months' working capital ₹1.755 L = ₹4.845 L. Larger centre (DTP Centre profile): building ₹2.80 L, plant and machinery ₹4.85 L, furniture and electrical ₹1.00 L, preliminary expenses ₹0.30 L, working capital margin ₹0.57 L = ₹9.52 L.
Working capital: DTP Centre: gross working capital ₹2.27 L, margin ₹0.57 L. Service profile: ₹58,500 a month in running costs, three months kept as margin.
Prices from 2018 — machinery and building costs will be higher now.
§8Export potential
Export council / board: Not verified yet
- No HS code or export body has been checked against an official list yet.
§9Risks — where people fail
- Too few orders to cover rent and salaries
- Price cutting by competitors
- Errors in printed material leading to reprints
- Software becoming outdated
§1030 / 60 / 90-day plan
A general plan that applies to any business. A plan for this business will be added after research.
- Days 1–30: Visit a working desktop publishing (dtp) centre unit, ask 10 buyers about price and quantity, and get quotations from 3 suppliers.
- Days 31–60: Udyam and the licences you need (Udyam registration, GST), a project report (DPR), and the scheme or loan file.
- Days 61–90: Space and machines, trial production, and first deliveries to 10 customers.
§11Who to connect with
Associations, clusters and training institutes — the directory is being built. Connect
§12Watch
There is no episode on this business yet. Shows are coming soon on the Podcast page.
Want to start Desktop Publishing (DTP) Centre?
DPR, loan file or registration — ask us on WhatsApp.
¶Sources
- SIDBI Stand-Up Mitra project profile — Desktop Publishing centre (2018)
- SIDBI Stand-Up Mitra project profile — Desktop Publishing Service (2018)
Data review: 6 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Report it. For information only — not legal or financial advice.