Home and personal services

Printing, copies and CV typing service

Offer printing, copies, scanning, laminating, CV typing and online applications from a small counter or your home.

Some evidenceLast checked 24 Oct 2026

See how this fits you, freeAbout 6 minutes, no sign-up.

Is this for you?

Best for

Organised people who are good with computers and online forms and live where printers are far away.

In South Africa: Strong in townships and towns.

What you need

  • A laptop or computer
  • Works on everyday data
  • No camera needed
  • No cold selling
  • At least 15 hours a week · age 18+
  • Admin & organising (learning or better) or Writing (learning or better)

The money

What it can earn

  1. Pocket money
  2. A top-up
  3. A second income
  4. Can become a full income

Part time, most people earn a modest top-up from this. Treat bigger numbers you see online with care.

What people charge

R0,7 to R2 per page

City shops charge from about 70c a black-and-white A4 page (Waltons, Print Norwood). Volumes are not published.

Costs to plan for

Start-up
R3 000 to R15 000
Every month
Toner or ink, paper, electricity, data.
Payment fees
Cash and QR.
Margin
Depends on toner cost per page.

How it is paid: Price per page and per service. Our viability score for it: 55 out of 100 (how we score).

How to start

  1. Test it cheaply Before you spend

    • Work out your cost per page from toner and paper
    • Ask 20 people where they print now and what they pay
    • Success signal: 50 customers in your first month

  2. First week Days 1 to 7

    • Choose a printer with a low cost per page
    • Write a price list for copies, printing, CVs and applications
    • Check power backup

  3. First month Days 8 to 30

    • Open and record every sale by service
    • Put up signs near schools and clinics

  4. By three months Days 31 to 90

    • Add lamination and photo printing if asked for
    • Offer a CV typing package

Sales start once your printer is running. First income usually takes 3 to 45 days. A day-by-day version for your situation is in the full plan.

Step-by-step guide

Printing, copies and CV typing service: your step-by-step start

18 short lessons with scripts, templates and rand prices to copy. R149 once-off, and the first lesson is free.

See what is inside

Customers and demand

Who pays

Job seekers, learners, parents, small businesses.

Printing and online forms close to home.

Is there demand?

City print shops charge from about 70c a black-and-white A4 page (Waltons, Print Norwood). Prices in townships and towns vary, so check nearby sellers.

Counter at home or in a containerNear schools and clinicsCV and application help

Getting customers

A sign, a price list and helpfulness with forms.

Word of mouth and referralsResponding to enquiries

Risks and rules

Watch out for

  • Printer breakdowns: keep a service plan or backup
  • Personal information on customers' documents: delete scans after use (POPIA)
  • Load-shedding: a UPS or inverter helps
  • SASSA says its services are free: charge only for printing and typing, and tell customers the grant application itself costs nothing

Competition: Moderate.

Room to grow: Grows with more services such as lamination and photos.

Legal and tax in South Africa

  • Protect customers' personal information under POPIA: do not keep copies of IDs or CVs.
  • If customers come to your home, check your municipality's home-business rules (Cape Town, for example, allows small home businesses with conditions).
  • Register for income tax with SARS once you earn above the tax threshold, and keep a record of every sale and every cost (stock, materials, transport and fees are business costs).

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to start printing, copies and CV typing service in South Africa?

Our research puts start-up costs at about R3 000 to R15 000. Recurring costs: Toner or ink, paper, electricity, data.

How long until the first income?

Typically about 14 days, and between 3 and 45 days. Sales start once your printer is running.

Can I do it with only a phone?

Not really. You will need a laptop or computer for most of the work.

What about tax and legal rules?

Protect customers' personal information under POPIA: do not keep copies of IDs or CVs. If customers come to your home, check your municipality's home-business rules (Cape Town, for example, allows small home businesses with conditions). Register for income tax with SARS once you earn above the tax threshold, and keep a record of every sale and every cost (stock, materials, transport and fees are business costs).

Sources (4)

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Researched by the Earn Path team · editorial policy