Skip to Content

Silhouette or Cricut Business Start Up Costs

Affiliate Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Additionally, I may get commissions for purchases made through other affiliate links in this post.

I’ve had a lot of business owners-to-be ask me how much the typical start up costs are for a Silhouette or Cricut home based business. Today, I’m offering a general list of items to consider if you are starting a business with your die cutting machine. The lists below are general overviews to give you an idea of the things you will need to buy to start your business.

General Supplies

  • Silhouette Cameo ($270) or Silhouette Curio ($220) or Cricut ($250)
  • Cutting blades (Silhouette $8 each, Cricut $3.50 each)
  • Cutting mats (Silhouette: $9 each, Cricut: $6 each)
  • General craft supplies
  • General office supplies (paper, folders, envelopes, etc.)
  • Shipping supplies (tape, label paper, packing materials, boxes, shipping scale – $50)
  • Computer and printer – varies greatly
  • Silhouette Studio Upgrade (Designer Edition $25 or read more about Business Edition)
  • Accounting program (about $15 per month)
  • Packaging materials – (about $100)
  • Business cards and advertising materials ($50)
  • Supply storage – varies ($100)
  • Camera – varies greatly

Supplies

For Adhesive Vinyl Crafters

  • Adhesive Vinyl – Purchase in rolls for cheapest pricing. Generally, around $1.30 per yard. You should estimate that you’ll need several colors to begin creating.
  • Transfer paper or tape ($35 for an industrial roll)
  • Weeding tools ($10)
  • Blanks for products ($200)

For Garment Crafters

  • Heat transfer vinyl – Purchase in rolls, about $7 per yard – specialty materials cost more. You should estimate that you’ll need several colors to begin creating.
  • Heat press –  ($225) – It’s a must if you are selling products. Read more about that in this post.
  • Weeding tools ($10)
  • Blanks for products ($300)

For Scrapbook, Card, Paper Crafters

  • Papers – cost varies greatly ($100)
  • Paper crafting tools – spatula, paper cutter, glue ($100)

Remember, you may have some of the necessities on hand, especially if you are already crafting as a hobby. Next week, I’ll show you how I started my small business without any debt – and very little cash on hand.

Silhouette or Cricut Business Start Up Costs by cuttingforbusiness.com

Joan

Friday 22nd of September 2017

Thank you for the info! I am struggling with the amount of vinyl and HTV inventory to have on hand. I wish I could just buy huge rolls but cannot. All that said, any suggestions for what colors of each type I should buy in as large of rolls I can afford?

Christine

Saturday 23rd of September 2017

Usually black and white are good ones to buy in bulk.

Powell

Friday 19th of May 2017

If I find a design I like online can I use it on a product to sell? I don't want to steal anyone's designs or quotes. What do I do?

Christine

Monday 22nd of May 2017

Hello! This post should help you: https://cuttingforbusiness.com/2015/01/20/understanding-licenses-on-cutting-files-designs-and-fonts-and-organizing-them-too/

Amanda

Friday 5th of May 2017

When using adhesive vinyl do you have to use transfer tape/paper (whichever it is called) .

Christine

Sunday 7th of May 2017

Yes, you do. It is very difficult to transfer a design correctly without transfer tape or paper.

Lisa

Tuesday 28th of March 2017

What font is this please?

Christine

Tuesday 28th of March 2017

Hello! I'm not sure which font you are asking about.

Jamie

Monday 13th of March 2017

I know doing a business with cricut/silhouette you don't want to use "free" fonts and designs. Where is the best place to buy and download fonts and designs for commercial use?

Christine

Wednesday 15th of March 2017

Hi Jamie! This post should help you: https://cuttingforbusiness.com/2015/06/09/where-to-find-commercial-use-fonts-for-your-silhouette-cameo-business/