§1What this business is
An engineering scale is the plastic ruler used for drawing and measuring in schools, colleges, architects’ offices, drawing offices and workshops. Acrylic sheet is cut to length and width and the edges are polished so they are parallel. The graduations and numbers are marked by an automated scale marking machine, the surface is dried and cleaned, and the finished scales are polished and packed.
Capacity: 4,00,000 engineering scales a year (single shift, 25 days a month, 75% efficiency).
§2Is it right for you?
Who it is for
A stationery trader or small manufacturer who already supplies schools and stationery wholesalers.
Who it is not for
Someone without a sales channel into the stationery trade.
Advantages
- Every student and drawing office uses scales, so demand is steady
- A small team of 5 in a 150 sq m rented shed
- No effluent or pollution from the process
- One marking machine does the skilled work of graduation
Drawbacks
- Nearly all the machine money (₹14.85 L of ₹15.45 L) sits in one marking machine
- A low-priced item at ₹7 each, so it needs volume
- Uneven or inaccurate markings make the whole lot unsaleable
- Stationery brands and moulded plastic scales compete hard
Skills you need
- Cutting and edge-polishing acrylic
- Setting and maintaining the marking machine
- Checking graduation accuracy
- Selling to stationery wholesalers and institutions
Why difficulty 2/5: Simple process with a small team; success depends on one machine and on selling in volume.
§3Market
Who buys
- Schools and science colleges
- Architects and drawing offices
- Engineering workshops
How it sells
- Stationery wholesalers and retailers
- Institutional supply to schools and colleges
Good to know
- Selling price in the profile: ₹7 a scale.
§4Raw material & machinery
| Item | Qty | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Automated scale marking machine with accessories, graduation accuracy 0.01 mm | 1 | ₹14,85,000 |
| Bevel-edge grinding machine, bench type, 8 inch wheel | 1 | ₹18,000 |
| Bench pantograph engraving machine, 16 inch table | 1 | ₹15,000 |
| Band saw, bench model, 8 inch wheel | 1 | ₹12,000 |
| Linear polishing machine | 1 | ₹8,000 |
| Double-ended bench grinder, 6 inch wheel | 1 | ₹7,000 |
From: DC-MSME project profile — Engineering Scale
- Acrylic sheet, 1/8 inch thick, transparent or milky white500 kg a month, ₹72,500
- Marking ink, polishing and buffing material₹5,000 a month
- Packing cases, cartons and plastic bags₹2,500 a month
§5Licences & registration
- Udyam registration
- GST registration
- Trade licence from the local body
- Legal Metrology requirements for measuring instruments — check with the state department before selling
Start it in your state
Pick your state: today’s cost, central + state subsidy, raw material, land and help, on one page.
§6Schemes & subsidies
At ₹21.68 L the project is within the PMEGP ceiling of ₹50 lakh for manufacturing. CGTMSE can cover the bank loan without collateral. It is just above the MUDRA limit of ₹20 lakh.
§7Money
How the investment is worked out: Fixed capital ₹17,53,890 (machines ₹15,45,000, electrification and installation ₹1,54,500, office furniture ₹20,000, pre-operative ₹34,390) + working capital for 3 months ₹4,13,835 = ₹21,67,725. Shed is rented.
Working capital: Working capital for 3 months is ₹4,13,835. Monthly running cost is ₹1,37,945, of which acrylic sheet is ₹72,500 (500 kg).
Year not printed on the profile — it is an old DC-MSME profile, so check current machinery prices.
§8Export potential
Confirm the HS code in the DGFT ITC(HS) lookup before you export
- The profile is written for the home market and gives no export figures.
§9Risks — where people fail
- Breakdown of the single marking machine stops all output
- Acrylic sheet prices rising
- Cheap injection-moulded scales taking the school market
- Sales bunching around the school season
§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 engineering scale (acrylic ruler) making 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 registration), 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
§12Watch
There is no episode on this business yet. Shows are coming soon on the Podcast page.
Want to start Engineering Scale (Acrylic Ruler) Making?
DPR, loan file or registration — ask us on WhatsApp.
¶Sources
Data review: 6 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Report it. For information only — not legal or financial advice.