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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.
Since 2015, Christine Schinagl has been helping crafters start and run craft businesses through her blog, Cutting for Business. As a Silhouette and Cricut crafter herself, she has a unique take on what works and what doesn’t work in the craft business world. She also teaches a course on creating digital SVG designs, available at How to Design SVGs.
Jessica Sherman
Friday 23rd of October 2020
Hi I am looking to get started and wanting to buy a machine to make income while I am unemployed and stuck at home homeschooling my daughter. I don't know where to start other than I loved art and while earning my bachelors I took advanced art classes (mostly graphic design) I am not the best at drawing free hand but very handy with tracing. What machine is the best for a beginner and should I wait to purchase until black Friday? Thank you for your help.
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.