Launch Your Burnaby Greeting Card Publishers Business Today
This page lays out a practical path to launching a greeting card publishers business in Burnaby (NAICS 513191). You’ll find a clear overview of nine startup requirements, the permits and licenses you’ll need, typical costs, and a realistic timeline from idea to your first print run. It’s designed to be doable, even if you’re starting small or working from home.
What you’ll learn includes registering your BC business, obtaining a Burnaby business license, and setting up a CRA business number with GST/HST. You’ll also plan branding, open a bank account, manage printing and fulfillment, and safeguard your designs through basic copyright or trademarks. We break down costs—from setup and equipment to your first print run—and translate the nine requirements into a practical, week-by-week timeline so you can stay on track.
Why Burnaby? This city blends affordable spaces with a thriving printing supply chain, strong local networks, and easy access to Vancouver’s market, making it a smart home for a greeting card publisher.
Requirements Overview
In Burnaby, the most critical requirement to get right from day one is CASL Anti-Spam Compliance. This is a legal must if you plan to market your greeting cards by email or other electronic means in Canada, and you cannot operate legally without it. Make sure you have proper consent from recipients, include clear sender information, and provide easy opt-out options. Keep records of consents and opt-outs as required.
Beyond marketing rules, there are key operational requirements to keep your publishing business running smoothly. Copyright Law Compliance (Publishing) is essential so you own and protect your own designs and content while respecting others’ rights. Accessibility Standards (Communications) means your printed and digital materials should be accessible to people with disabilities. If you hire staff, WorkSafeBC coverage and registration apply to workplace safety, and you’ll align payroll practices with payroll deductions rules as soon as you have employees.
For business setup and taxes, you’ll need to secure the right registrations and identifiers. A Business Number (BN) from the federal government is the core tag for your company, and BC Business Name Registration is required if you operate as a sole proprietorship or partnership. For publishing, obtain ISBNs for your books and ISSNs if you publish serials. If you hire people, you’ll manage Payroll Deductions Registration; GST/HST Registration may be required once you meet the threshold. These steps keep your finances compliant and your operations on solid footing.
Ready to move forward? Start with a simple to-do list: confirm CASL processes, map out your publishing rights and accessibility plan, file the BN and BC name registration, and apply for ISBNs/ISSNs as needed. Then tackle taxes and payroll steps as your business grows. You’ve got this—take it one practical step at a time, and you’ll be on solid ground.
Detailed Requirements
Here are the specific requirements for starting a greeting card publishers in Burnaby:
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CASL Anti-Spam Compliance RequiredCommunications businesses must comply with Canadas Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL) including consent requirements, unsubscribe mechanisms, and sender identification. No registration required. CASL is a law regulating commercial electronic messages. Must obtain consent before sending marketing emails/texts, provide unsubscribe mechanism. Free guidance from CRTC. Maximum penalty $10 million.
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Copyright Law Compliance (Publishing) RequiredPublishers must comply with copyright law, obtain rights/licenses from authors and creators, register copyrights, and respect moral rights. Copyright law compliance for publishing. ISBN registration. Author agreements. Reproduction rights. Moral rights. Library and Archives deposit. Contact CIPO: 1-866-997-1936.
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ISBN/ISSN Registration RequiredBook publishers must obtain ISBN numbers, periodical publishers must obtain ISSN numbers, and comply with legal deposit requirements for Library and Archives Canada. ISBN/ISSN registration for publishers. Library and Archives Canada. Free for Canadian publishers. Mandatory for books. Contact LAC: 1-866-578-7777.
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Business Number (BN) Registration RequiredA 9-digit Business Number is required for most businesses operating in Canada. It is used to interact with the Canada Revenue Agency and other federal programs. Required for GST/HST, payroll, corporation income tax, and import/export accounts. Register FREE online through Business Registration Online (BRO) at canada.ca. Takes 15-30 minutes. As of November 3, 2025, online registration is MANDATORY for new BNs - phone registration no longer available. You'll need: business name, address, owner SIN, business type, and start date. BN (9-digit number) issued INSTANTLY online. Available 21 hours/day, 7 days/week (closed 3-6am ET for maintenance).
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BC Business Name Registration (Sole Proprietorship/Partnership) RequiredRegistration of sole proprietorship or partnership business names with BC Registries Register sole proprietorship or partnership at bcregistry.gov.bc.ca. Name reservation: $30 (standard) or $100 (priority 1-2 days). Registration fee: $40. Total: ~$70. Name reserved for 56 days after approval. Registration is continuous (no renewal required). No name protection for sole proprietorships. Personal names operating under own name do not require registration. Contact BC Registries: 1-877-526-1526.
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Accessibility Standards (Communications) ConditionalRequired for specific regulated activities. Communications and publishing businesses must comply with Accessible Canada Act requirements for accessible formats, communications supports, and customer service. Accessible Canada Act compliance. AODA for Ontario. WCAG 2.1 Level AA digital accessibility. Accessible documents. Alternative formats. Feedback mechanism. Training requirements. Ongoing compliance. Contact Accessibility Standards Canada: 1-833-854-7628.
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GST/HST Registration ConditionalRequired if annual taxable revenue exceeds $30,000 (small supplier threshold). Taxi/ride-share drivers must register regardless of revenue. Businesses with gross revenues over $30,000 in any single quarter or over four consecutive quarters must register for, collect, and remit GST/HST. Small suppliers (under $30,000) may register voluntarily. Register FREE online through Business Registration Online (BRO) when your revenue exceeds $30,000 in any 4 consecutive quarters (small supplier threshold). Takes 15-30 minutes. You MUST register within 29 days of exceeding threshold and start charging GST/HST immediately on the sale that made you exceed it. Need your BN (or get one simultaneously). As of Nov 3, 2025, online registration is mandatory. Voluntary registration available anytime for input tax credits.
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Payroll Deductions Registration ConditionalRequired if you pay salaries, wages, or other remuneration to employees. Must register before first pay period. Required if you have employees. You must withhold Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Employment Insurance (EI), and income tax from employee wages and remit to CRA. Register FREE online through Business Registration Online (BRO) when you hire your first employee. Takes 15-20 minutes. You'll need your Business Number (BN) or can get one simultaneously. Payroll account (RP) added to your BN instantly. Register BEFORE your first pay date. Required to deduct CPP, EI, and income tax from employee wages. For 2025: CPP rate 5.95%, EI employee rate $1.66/$100 insurable earnings.
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WorkSafeBC Coverage and Registration ConditionalRequired if you have workers in BC. Workers compensation insurance coverage through WorkSafeBC for employers in British Columbia WorkSafeBC coverage required for most BC employers. Average base premium rate: 1.55% of assessable payroll ($1.55 per $100). Register online at worksafebc.com. Apply 30 days before starting business or hiring workers. Processing: ~10 business days. Premium rates vary by industry classification (514 classification units). COR certified employers eligible for 10% rebate. Contact: 604-276-3100 or 1-888-967-5377.
Funding & Grants
Available funding programs that may apply to your greeting card publishers:
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The Open Spaces Program is an initiative by Prismatic Arts Festival and Neptune Theatre to assist traditionally marginalized and underrepresented communities in the HRM arts community. The program provides free access to a rehearsal room, kitchen, and restroom facilities including power, lighting, and stage space. Artists of all disciplines and …
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The Lunenburg Foundation for the Arts provides grants for both emerging and established artists working across the full range of artistic media, as well as arts-based organizations. Grants are awarded based on artistic merit, financial need, and benefit to the arts in Lunenburg County. A jury chair is appointed by …
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The Trail & District Arts Council disburses $1,000 annually to performance, literary, or visual artists under 18 years of age towards arts training and development. The amount awarded to each applicant varies depending on the number of applicants and amounts requested. Training must take place within 12 months after the …
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The Town of Rosetown provides information and access to numerous cultural, sports, and recreation funding opportunities for individuals, community groups, and non-profit organizations. Available funding sources include the Saskatchewan Lotteries Community Grant, Community Initiatives Fund (CIF) Community Vitality Program, Creative Kids, Saskatchewan Arts Board grants, and the Rosetown & District …
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The Share and Connect: Indigenous Community Arts program seeks to empower Indigenous communities to control and develop their own arts and culture. It is a SK Arts program supported by funding from Sask Lotteries through the partnership between SK Arts and SaskCulture Inc. The program has two annual deadlines (January …
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