How to Start and Grow a Festive Window Painting Business
Imagine strolling through your neighborhood during the holidays, with windows cheerfully decorated with snowflakes, reindeer, or Santa’s sleigh.
Festive window painting isn’t just eye candy, it’s an art form that can bring joy to others while filling your wallet!
If you’re creative, enjoy working with your hands, and want to earn extra income, starting a window painting business could be your next adventure.
Here’s everything you need to know to get started and grow this fun and rewarding side hustle!
Why Window Painting is the Perfect Seasonal Side Hustle
Festive window painting is a low-cost, high-reward business idea.
With just a few supplies and a bit of creativity, you can transform dull windows into stunning displays that attract attention and bring in holiday cheer.
Here’s why it’s a great option:
- Affordable Startup Costs: You don’t need expensive equipment – just paints, brushes, and a little practice.
- Seasonal Demand: Businesses, schools, and even homeowners love decorating their windows for holidays like Christmas, Halloween, Easter, and Valentine’s Day.
- Creativity Pays: If you enjoy art, this is a fun way to turn your passion into profit.
Step 1: Gather Your Supplies
You don’t need to break the bank to start. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Window Paints: Use water-based acrylic paints. These are easy to apply, vibrant, and simple to remove.
- Brushes: Get a variety of brushes – thin ones for detailed work and larger ones for filling in big areas.
- Stencils: Great for beginners or anyone who wants to speed up the process. (optional)
- Masking Tape: Use it to frame designs and keep edges clean.
- Scraper & Cleaner: Essential for prepping windows and removing old paint when it’s time to clean up.
Pro Tip: Test your paints on a glass surface at home to see how they look and dry. This will also help you get comfortable with the texture and opacity.
Step 2: Practice Makes Perfect
Before taking on clients, hone your craft! Here’s how to practice:
Paint Your Own Windows: Start with your home or car windows to experiment with designs. I was so eager to try this, so I painted my own windows. Here’s how it went. I started with a small paint brush and painted the outline of my design with white acrylic paint. Then I filled in the whole design with the same white paint as a base coat.
After this coat dried I started filling in the colors and then outlined only the outside of the images with a thick blue line and then outlined the whole design with thinner black lines.
Ask Friends and Family: Offer to paint their windows for free or at a discount to build your portfolio.
Perfect Holiday Icons: Snowflakes, Santa, pumpkins, or hearts are popular and easy to learn. YouTube tutorials are a goldmine for step-by-step guides.
Pro Tip: Take high-quality photos of every window you paint. These will become your portfolio to showcase to potential clients.
Step 3: Setting Up Your Window Painting Business
Now that you’ve got the skills, it’s time to make it official!
1. Create a Business Name
Choose something fun and memorable, like “Holiday Window Wonders” or “Festive Flair Windows.”
2. Price your window painting services
Setting the right price for your festive window painting services is key to attracting clients and making your business profitable. Here are some simple strategies to help you price your work effectively while offering clients great value.
Charge by Size or Number of Windows
Pricing based on the size or number of windows is a straightforward and fair approach. Larger windows or multiple surfaces require more time and effort, so your pricing should reflect that.
- Price Per Square Foot / Metre: Measure the size of the windows and set a price per square foot.
- Set Tiered Pricing: Offer flat rates for standard window sizes. For instance:
- Small windows
- Medium windows
- Large storefront windows
Pro Tip: If a client has multiple windows, you can charge a bulk rate to encourage larger orders (e.g., “10% off for five or more windows!”).
Complexity Counts
Not all designs are created equal. The time and effort required to paint a simple snowflake are vastly different from creating an elaborate winter wonderland scene. Adjust your prices based on the level of detail:
- Simple Designs: Basic patterns like snowflakes, pumpkins, or candy canes can be priced on the lower end. These are quick to paint and require less effort.
- Detailed Scenes: More intricate designs, like Santa and his reindeer flying through the night sky or a spooky Halloween graveyard, should be priced higher to account for the extra time and skill involved.
- Custom Requests: Charge a premium for personalized or custom designs. For example, if a business wants its logo integrated into a festive display, factor in the additional effort and preparation required.
Pro Tip: Clearly explain your pricing tiers to clients upfront so they understand why detailed designs cost more.
Offer Package Deals
Clients love a good deal, and package pricing can help you attract recurring customers and larger projects.
- Multi-Window Discounts: Offer discounts for businesses or homes with several windows to decorate.
- Seasonal Packages: Secure repeat clients by bundling holidays together. For instance, offer a “Holiday Cheer Package” that includes Halloween and Christmas window designs at a discounted rate if booked together.
- Custom Packages for Businesses: Tailor packages for local businesses that want their windows refreshed frequently. For example, a year-round plan for seasonal promotions or themes.
Pro Tip: Packages not only bring in more revenue but also help you build relationships with clients who will come back year after year.
3. How to Market Your Window Painting Business Like a Pro
A great design deserves great visibility! Once your festive window painting business is ready to roll, you need to get the word out and attract clients.
Here’s how to market like a pro and build a buzz around your services:
1. Social Media: Your Digital Portfolio
Social media is a powerful, cost-effective way to showcase your work and connect with potential clients.
- Create an Eye-Catching Portfolio: Post high-quality photos and videos of your completed designs on Instagram, Facebook, and even TikTok. Before-and-after shots or time-lapse videos of your work in progress are particularly engaging!
- Use Strategic Hashtags: Reach a wider audience by using popular and relevant hashtags. Examples include:
- #WindowArt
- #HolidayDecor
- #FestiveWindows
- #SmallBusinessSupport
- #ShopLocal
- Engage with Your Audience: Reply to comments, answer questions, and engage with local businesses or homeowners in your area. Building relationships online can turn curious followers into paying customers.
- Tag Local Businesses: If you’ve painted a store window, tag the business in your posts. They’ll often share your work, giving you free exposure to their audience.
Pro Tip: Create seasonal countdown posts to build excitement. For example, “Only 10 days until Halloween – book your spooky window art now!”
2. Old-School Marketing: Flyers That Work
Flyers are a tried-and-true way to reach potential customers, especially local businesses and homeowners.
- Design a Professional Flyer: Use bold colors, eye-catching graphics, and clear information about your services, pricing, and contact details. Don’t forget to include a few photos of your best work!
- Target Local Hotspots: Distribute your flyers where your ideal clients are likely to see them:
- Local businesses and storefronts
- Schools and community centers
- Coffee shops, libraries, and gyms
- Partner with Complementary Businesses: Ask nearby party planners, holiday decorators, or event venues if you can leave flyers with them. Offering to refer their services in return creates a win-win relationship!
Pro Tip: Include a special offer or discount on your flyers, like “10% off your first window design!” to incentivize calls and bookings.
3. Word of Mouth: Referrals That Pay
Happy customers are your best marketers! Encourage them to spread the word about your services by making referrals worthwhile.
- Ask for Reviews: Politely ask satisfied clients to leave reviews on your social media pages or Google Business profile (if you have one). Positive testimonials build trust with future customers.
- Offer Referral Discounts: Incentivize referrals by giving discounts to loyal clients who send new business your way. For example:
- “Refer a friend and get 20% off your next window design!”
- “Book with a friend and you both save!”
- Stay in Touch: Send thank-you messages to previous clients after the holidays and remind them about your services for upcoming seasons. Building a loyal client base is easier than finding brand-new customers each year.
Step 4: Attracting Customers
Your first few clients might be the hardest to get, but once people see your work, the inquiries will roll in.
Focus your efforts on:
- Local Businesses: Shops and cafés often decorate their windows to attract customers during the holidays. Approach them with a smile, your portfolio, and an offer they can’t refuse.
- Schools and Daycares: Kids LOVE festive designs, and schools are always looking for ways to brighten their spaces.
- Homeowners: Some families love to decorate for the holidays but don’t have the time or skills. That’s where you come in!
Pro Tip: Create time-lapse videos of your work in action. These are a huge hit on social media and can generate lots of interest.
Step 5: Growing Your Business
Once you’ve nailed the basics, it’s time to level up:
1. Expand Your Offerings
- Year-Round Painting: Don’t stop at holidays. Offer window painting for birthdays, anniversaries, or promotional sales (e.g., “Back to School” or “Summer Sale” designs).
- Event Decor: Branch out into painting mirrors, chalkboards, or signage for events like weddings or parties.
2. Build an Online Presence
- Start a website or blog featuring your designs, customer testimonials, and seasonal specials.
- Share tips and tutorials to position yourself as an expert in festive window art.
Pro Tip: Create urgency by advertising limited slots during the holiday rush. People are more likely to book early when they know availability is tight.
Step 6: Troubleshooting Common Challenges
- Bad Weather?: If you’re painting outdoor windows, check the weather forecast before scheduling jobs.
- Removing Old Paint: Always use gentle scrapers and cleaners to avoid scratching the glass.
- Tough Clients: Manage expectations by providing sketches of your designs beforehand. Get approval in writing to avoid misunderstandings.
Bonus Service: Offering Window Cleaning
When it’s time for the decorations to come down, provide a hassle-free service to remove the design and leave the windows sparkling clean. Businesses and homeowners will love the convenience of a “one-stop shop” for their festive décor needs.
By adding this service, you can upsell your offerings and stand out from competitors.
How to Clean Windows: The Easy Method
1. Supplies You’ll Need:
- A spray bottle filled with warm soapy water (a few drops of dish soap will do).
- A scraper or plastic card (like an old gift card).
- Microfiber cloth or paper towels for drying.
- Optional: A squeegee for streak-free results.
2. Cleaning Process:
- Spray the Design: Generously spray the painted area with soapy water. Focus on soaking the entire design to loosen the paint.
- Let It Soak: Leave the soapy water on the window for 1-2 minutes. This gives the solution time to break down the paint, making it easier to remove.
- Scrape Gently: Use a scraper or a plastic card at a slight angle to gently lift the paint off the glass. Work in sections and reapply soapy water if needed.
- Wipe Down: Once the paint is removed, use a microfiber cloth or paper towels to wipe away any residue.
- Polish: For a streak-free finish, use a squeegee or go over the window with a dry microfiber cloth.
Pro Tip: Always test a small corner of the window first to ensure the paint comes off easily without damaging the glass.
Benefits of Offering a Cleaning Service
- Convenience for Clients: Businesses and homeowners are busy, saving them time by handling both the painting and cleanup will make your service more appealing.
- Extra Income: Charge an additional fee for window cleaning as part of your service package. For example, you could offer a “Paint & Clean” deal at a discounted rate.
- Build Relationships: By providing top-notch service from start to finish, you’ll leave a lasting impression and encourage repeat business for future holidays.
Adding window cleaning to your offerings isn’t just practical – it’s a value-added service that sets you apart as a professional.
Whether you’re prepping windows for your next masterpiece or wiping the slate clean after the season, your clients will appreciate your attention to detail. Plus, who doesn’t love spotless, sparkling windows?
Final Tips for Success
- Stay Inspired: Follow other window painters on social media for ideas and trends.
- Keep Practicing: The more you paint, the better (and faster) you’ll get.
- Embrace the Festive Spirit: Your enthusiasm and love for the holidays will shine through your work and win over clients.
Starting a festive window painting business is a fantastic way to spread holiday cheer and make money doing what you love.
Whether you’re painting snowmen for a small café or a spooky Halloween scene for a boutique, your work will light up your community and help businesses stand out.
So grab your brushes, put on your favorite holiday playlist, and get started! You’ve got this!
