If you’re a stationery designer looking to grow your business, diversify your income, and avoid putting all your eggs in the custom wedding invitation basket—you’re not alone. The world of paper design is full of untapped potential, and smart designers are finding ways to expand their reach, serve new audiences, and increase their revenue.

Whether you’re just getting started or already have a thriving client base, adding new income streams can help you build a more sustainable (and exciting!) creative business. From passive products and digital downloads to in-person experiences and brand collaborations, there are plenty of ways to bring in sales year-round without relying on a single type of offer.

Let’s walk through 10 profitable ways to make money as a stationery designer:

1. Custom Wedding Invitations

The classic go-to. High-end suites, semi-custom lines, or hybrid models. You can niche into luxury, intimate weddings, or destination events.

2. Day-of Paper Goods

Menus, place cards, programs, seating charts, signage—this is often an upsell for your custom clients and a great add-on offer.

3. Shop Products

From notepads and holiday cards to art prints or custom gift tags—products can bring in passive income and serve non-wedding clients, allowing you to tap into other audiences.

4. Calligraphy Services

Envelope addressing, place cards, live events—calligraphy opens doors to both weddings and luxury events.

5. Live Teaching

People LOVE attending live calligraphy, lettering, or painting classes. This is such a fun way to connect with your local community and make solid income in one day!

6. Brand Collaborations

Think styled shoots, brand partnerships, or licensing your designs for other companies. Stationery connects beautifully with lifestyle brands.

7. Digital Products

Font bundles, Dubsado or Trello templates, mockups, email swipe copy, or even Canva kits – these can serve other creatives in and beyond your niche. Selling business to business is always

8. Invitation Templates

Create beautiful designs, sell them as templates on Etsy using Corjl, Templett, or Canva!

9. Corporate Gifting / Custom Client Gifts

More stationers are partnering with small businesses to create branded, luxury gifting experiences… and charging well for them!

10. Stationery for Events Beyond Weddings

Think baby showers, birthdays, holiday parties, nonprofits, and corporate events. There’s a whole world of paper possibilities out there!

CONCLUSION

Whether you’re hoping to create more passive income, book more luxury clients, or simply explore new creative outlets, diversifying your revenue as a designer is key. Here’s a quick recap of how you can start expanding:

• Offer day-of goods and custom wedding paper suites as a package
• Build a shop with seasonal and evergreen paper products
• Tap into the power of digital products, templates, or business tools
• Host live workshops or collaborate with local brands and creatives
• Say yes to events beyond weddings for a broader reach
  

💡 Want help getting started? Download my free Stationer’s Starter Pack—a curated collection of beginner-friendly resources to help you gain clarity, grow your confidence, and take the next step in your stationery business. Click here to grab it now!