ATO benchmarks for prepress and binding
Print support businesses handle the work around the press, such as file preparation, platemaking, binding, laminating and other finishing, charging printers and other customers by the job.
General information
Total expenses as a share of turnover
Low and high end of each published range
| Turnover range | Financial year | Low end | High end |
|---|---|---|---|
| $65,000 to $300,000 | 2023-24 | 59% | 79% |
| $65,000 to $300,000 | 2022-23 | 56% | 77% |
| $300,001 to $900,000 | 2023-24 | 68% | 83% |
| $300,001 to $900,000 | 2022-23 | 73% | 85% |
| More than $900,000 | 2023-24 | 81% | 90% |
| More than $900,000 | 2022-23 | 81% | 90% |
Australian Taxation Office, Small Business Benchmarks, key ratios for 2023-24 and 2022-23 (data.gov.au), licensed under CC BY 2.5 AU. Checked 15 Oct 2026.
What sits behind these figures in the books
- The main day-to-day expenses are staff costs, binding and laminating materials, machine servicing and parts, workshop rent, electricity and delivery of finished work back to customers.
- Binding machines, laminators and platesetters are recorded as equipment, kept apart from the servicing and consumables that are used up from one period to the next.
- Electricity, rent and machine lease bills are entered as they arrive, and personal costs are kept off the business accounts, so total expenses reflect only the cost of running the workshop.
Sources
- Small Business Benchmarks, 2023-24 Benchmarks (key ratios)
Australian Taxation Office. 2023-24 financial year, released 16 March 2026. Checked 15 October 2026.
Based on Australian Taxation Office data, Small Business Benchmarks, 2023-24 Benchmarks, licensed under CC BY 2.5 AU Licence: CC BY 2.5 AU.
- Small Business Benchmarks, 2022-23 Benchmarks (key ratios)
Australian Taxation Office. 2022-23 financial year, released 17 March 2025. Checked 15 October 2026.
Based on Australian Taxation Office data, Small Business Benchmarks, 2022-23 Benchmarks, licensed under CC BY 2.5 AU Licence: CC BY 2.5 AU.
Get your books in order
Cost of sales and total expenses are only as reliable as the books behind them. Tell us how your business runs and we will suggest a bookkeeping plan that fits.