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How to Start a Cricut Business from Home!
Everything you need to know about starting a Cricut business or side hustle from home. Do you have a Cricut machine? Or are you considering one? It can be a difficult to justify the investment in a machine. Please ask me any questions you might have. I know this is a big decision.
I was a young mother and a wife...we were struggling with work and money. I didn't have money to buy clothes for my kids. I had to borrow money from my husband's grandpa to buy diapers for my baby. I really needed to find a way to support us a little more than my husband's paycheck.
The decision to buy an expensive machine was weighed out heavily in my mind. We received some money for Christmas and I spent it all on myself (with my husband's blessing)...to buy a Cricut. When I bought my first Cricut Explore Air 2 machine, I was determined to have it pay rent for sitting on my desk! 😊
I made enough money, casually, in just a couple MONTHS to pay for the machine completely. I'd love to teach you all my tips and tricks for making money from home with a Cricut machine.
Here's a post on 5 Ways To Make Money using the Cricut Explore Air 2.
In short, if my machine broke/got lost/etc., I'd buy another one without any hesitation. It's worth its weight in gold.
Have I convinced you to buy a machine yet? Click here!
First consider which machine is right for you:
Read this: What to Know Before Buying a Cricut Machine
Cricut Maker: $399.99--Highest price point. Most versatile machine with multiple tools using the adaptive tool technology. This is the machine that keeps on giving. This is my recommendation for various reasons covered in this post.
Cricut Explore Air 2: $249.99--Mid price point. Very amazing machine. Great for cutting, deep cuts, drawing and scoring. This is the machine I started with and it's worth its weight in gold.
Cricut Joy: $179.99--Lowest price point. Portable and space saving machine. Only machine to use the card mat for easy card making. Cuts and draws. Perfect budget and space friendly. Great for on the spot personalization.
Here's the breakdown comparison for the different machines so you can see what they are capable of. Each machine is wonderful and can earn you an income...so pick the Maker if you can, or snag the one you can afford and get started today! Sell stuff, save money and buy the next one!
Learn Your Machine:
There's a few supplies you will need in order to get started making and selling. There are tons of things you can sell...and some of them have a high learning curve or an expensive start up. I'd recommend getting a bundle if possible, because then you have some supplies to start with.
Get that machine. Open the box immediately. Plug it in. Hook it to your computer/phone/tablet, and get started. Cut something out of paper to start with. Get to know the machine a little using easy images in Cricut Design Space and cut out of scrap paper.
Don't wait or hesitate. Get the machine out and start making money...your future self will be so happy!
GET A BUSINESS LICENSE:
File a DBA with your city so you are covered selling. Every state has different rules and regulations about business starting, so find your state website and see what it takes. Mine was easy to set up and not too expensive. (Varies between $10-100)
What To Sell:
What will you sell? There are 100's of things you can sell using your Cricut. In fact, here's a post with 100 Cricut Projects to Make to Sell.
But let's start small.
When I started selling items, I sold...VINYL CANISTER LABELS.
That's right! I just cut labels out of vinyl and sold them--and people bought them! I sold six custom labels, in either black or white adhesive vinyl for $12. The vinyl used was only about 4x12" of vinyl, so it was essentially 1/12th of the roll. With one simple roll of vinyl I made nearly $150 with only $8 spent on vinyl and $8 transfer tape.
I sold enough to make back my initial $300 investment!
Vinyl Bumper Stickers are another great option. Selling weeded vinyl with transfer tape on top is perfect because it makes shipping so easy too.
Helpful Tip:
Shipping costs can drive the price up...big, bulky wood projects are heavy and cost a lot to ship. By selling cut vinyl, you can sell to a world wide market, using envelopes and forever stamps!
NOTE: Do not sell copyrighted images. Design something yourself and it's yours to sell.
Depending on where you will sell your items (next topic), you can branch out on the items you make. Especially if you have the Cricut Maker! The maker cuts fabric, leather, felt, engraves acrylic and dog tags, cuts thin balsa and bass wood. You'll have so many options to branch out if you invest in the Maker for just a little more money up front.
Here's some more advanced ideas of things to sell:
100 Cricut Projects to Make to Sell
Personalized tumblers for bridal parties or gifts
Custom coir front door mats
Mini Leather Journals
Infusible Ink Shirts for every holiday
Personalized Etch Glass Dishes
Infusible Ink Tote Bags
Gorgeous layered cake toppers for parties and birthdays
Bunting Banners for holidays and birthdays
Leather Earrings
These more advanced items require additional supplies...the EasyPress 2 for iron-on or Infusible Ink. Make money simply first, then invest in more materials with the profit you turn. 😊
Helpful Tip:
Pay off your investment. Put 10% in savings and then put the rest into the business and invest more. Repeat. Get Rich. 😊
Where to Sell:
This is the tricky part. Marketing, selling, putting yourself out there. Here's 5 ways to make money with the Cricut.
Craft Shows
I have done a few craft shows. Essentially making a bunch of inventory and hoping it sells. You need canopies (if it's outdoors), tables, tablecloths, risers, displays, products, price tags and a way to accept payment. (I use Paypal Business--they'll even send you a card reader for free)
Usually a craft show event will charge an entry fee. I've paid anywhere from $20-$70 to set up a 10x10 foot booth. Some shows are so large, they cost $1000's to set up. So make sure you have the inventory to cover the show and turn a profit.
I have always come out ahead at craft shows...but they are my LEAST favorite way to make money. It's more costly because of stock, travel and packing it in and out. You have to sit at your booth all day...haul everything in and out. Plus, you have to store the excess when you come home. It's effective and some people love it. It's just not my favorite.
You'll have tons of people walk up and look at your well made items and say "I could make that" and then leave. It's a little frustrating. Lots of looking and few sales.
If you are going this route, make 90% of your items cost less than $10. People are much more likely to commit if they are impulse item prices. Have a whole table of $10 and under products! Have a few items that cost more, are impressive and large...but just a few of them. Make sure to have business cards too--so people can follow up if they want something large or personalized.
Helpful Tip:
If you are doing shows, having Cricut Joy would be useful to have on site, if you have electricity. Then you can customize items on the spot! Everyone wants something with their name on it.
Why limit yourself to just a town full of people at a craft show, when you can market yourself globally?
Market yourself online.
5 Places to Sell your Cricut Business Online:
1. Etsy
Etsy is the place for all things handmade. Set up a shop and then promote your items on social media sites and Pinterest. Etsy charges 20 cents for each listing posted and a percentage when an item sells. Price the items high enough that it covers for the fees. When I sold my vinyl canister labels, it was 100% on Etsy.
2. Facebook
Facebook has lots of great ways to sell items. On your own page, just mention to your friends that you can cut custom vinyl. You'll be surprised how many friends want something cut out for them.
Facebook Groups. There are lots of Facebook groups that you can sell your handmade goods in. Join them all and market your products.
Facebook Marketplace. Post things for sell locally on Facebook marketplace. This means that you physically meet up to exchange money for goods...so it might not be your thing. But it's an option for large custom decor, porch signs, door mats, etc.
3. Instagram
Instagram is a wealth of exposure. Link your Instagram account to a website, Etsy page or blog. Then promote the things you make to your followers. Offer giveaways to increase followers and engagement. Take awesome, bright pictures and show off what you make. Let your readers know you sell them and the price...or to DM you for more info. Then send them the link to your website/blog/shop/etc.
4. Shopify Website
Set up a shop for all your handmade goods. Shopify is an awesome platform that costs about $30 a month, but you can sell as much as you want without adding fees. Post bright pictures and add descriptions in details, with sizes included. Then lead people to your Shopify site through social media, especially Pinterest.
5. Amazon Handmade
Amazon Handmade is similar to Etsy, a place for all things handmade. You can apply for an artisan account and get selling. It's free to list items and the fee is 15% when something sells. There are professional tools you can opt in to as well, but not needed for artisans.
Can you image what your revenue stream would be like if you hit all 5 of these?
This is how most people make money online...not just with one little job, but diversifying and having multiple revenue streams.
What Should I Charge?
This is a very broad topic. I always charge double of what I immediately think. I charge enough that I am thrilled to make the item, instead of feeling grumpy about it...or like it's wasting my time.
Here's a good formula:
Cost of Supplies + $15-20 an Hour for Time Spent
It mostly comes down to what you feel your time is worth. Some items cost nearly nothing to make, like the vinyl canisters...and nearly no time. So you have to be creative and come up with a price you feel good about. A price that makes you feel giddy inside while you are making the item.
WARNING: If you are upset about a project while making it, you are NOT charging enough money for it. Double the price for the next one.
What Else Can I do to Make Money with my Cricut?
Maybe you aren't ready for a full blown Cricut Business...maybe you just need a little SIDE HUSTLE. Don't worry about a business license yet, just make a thing here and there to sell when you want. Accept some custom orders from friends for the holidays and then take a break.
Helpful tip:
Make something fun with your Cricut, for yourself...but also, make another one to sell. Every time you make something, make 2 of them. Then list it for sell on Facebook or Instagram. This alone should help your machine pay for itself---or at least pay for the additional materials you will inevitably buy.
If you make one cake topper, make another and list it for sale! Boom--easy business.
Cricut has taken all the guess work out of running a business from home! The wide range of products to suit every skill set and need. What are you the most excited about selling?
Did I answer all your Starting a Cricut Business questions? If not, leave them in the comments and I'll respond!
Save this LONG post for reference, there's so much information here. I've poured my heart and soul into telling you all the tricks of the trade! Good luck in your Cricut Business!
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