10 Things Successful Makers Do

April 29, 2025 | John & Marc, MakerFlo Founders

Tips to Take Your Business to the Next Level

Whether you’re just starting out or have been in the game for a while, one thing is true—successful makers don’t leave things to chance. They build smart habits, use the right tools, and constantly evolve. At MakerFlo, we’ve worked with thousands of makers, and we’ve seen first-hand what separates those who thrive from those who burn out.

 

Here are 10 things the most successful makers do consistently:

1. They Master Their Craft

Photo Engraved 32oz Hydro Bottle by @ChippedBuilds on Instagram

Great makers never stop learning. Whether it's trying new techniques, practicing consistently, or watching tutorials, they dedicate time to improving their skills. Mastery doesn’t come overnight, but it does come with daily commitment. Successful makers are constantly advancing their techniques and exploring new customization ideas to offer professionally customized goods that set them apart from the competition.  

2. They Invest in Quality & Consistency

Photo Engraved Handle Serving Board by @candy_onthego on Instagram

Successful makers understand that the right materials make all the difference. They choose high-quality blanks, inks, adhesives, and machines that elevate their customizations and save time in the long run.  (Shameless plug: That’s why they shop at MakerFlo. 😉)

Top makers understand that customers want both a premium product and customization. It’s not one or the other—it’s both. That’s why working with high-quality products is key. When you use high-quality blanks, you save time and reduce waste, while ensuring consistency, reliability, and professional results with every customization. By working with a single supplier for premium blanks, you won’t have to reinvent the wheel with each item, nor will you need to test new settings or adjust bake times—reliable, premium products make the process easier and more efficient.

 

3. They Know Their Brand 

From their logo to their packaging, successful makers have a clear and consistent brand identity. It helps them stand out in a crowded market and builds trust with their customers. They know who they are, what they offer, and why people should choose them.   

📚 Read Next  Get clear on your brand or give your marketing efforts a quick health-check with MakerFlo's Sales & Marketing Checklist for Makers

4. They Dedicate Time to Selling

Whether it's a side hustle or a full-time gig, successful makers approach their craft like a business. They track expenses, set goals, manage inventory, understand their numbers, and dedicate time to selling. Creativity, strategy, and execution go hand-in-hand.

Most importantly, to generate sales, they go beyond social media and relying on friends and family. They understand that selling locally B2B leads to quicker sales, larger orders  and more consistent, profitable opportunities.

So, what do they do? They get out in the local community, approach businesses, and sell their goods and services to nearby stores and shops. They always have sales samples ready to show potential customers what they can create. Successful makers are constantly networking with business owners and actively brainstorming unique ideas that would benefit their customers.

Get creative when targeting businesses by offering customized gifts, employee appreciation items, branded merchandise, ready-to-sell products, or promotional items. You never know what a customer may need or want until you talk to them and ask.

💸 Want more sales?  Read this  7 Ways To Increase Sales for Your Maker Business

5. They Build a Community

Photo Custom sublimated ready-to-sell 20oz Skinny Tumbler by @chippedbuilds on Instagram

The best makers don’t just sell—they connect. They share behind-the-scenes content, support other creators, and build relationships with customers through social media, email, and local events. Community drives visibility and loyalty.

Whether it’s through social media or right in your hometown, or both, makers help each other to grow by sharing ideas, content or by participating in shows or events together.

6. They Embrace Time Saving Tips & Free Resources

Photo New product sell sheets for making laser engraved mocks up and order sheets to email to customers learn more and download for free here

From their craft rooms to their calendars, successful makers keep things in order. Systems for workflow, selling, shipping, supplies, and deadlines help them stay productive and reduce stress. Top Makers are always seeking ways to optimize their workflow and processes to save time when customizing.  This includes utilizing resources from MakerFlo such as product laser settings, and using product sell sheets to easily show customers how their customized product will look. 

⏱️ Save Time with resources like Cuttle

🚀 Boost Sales with Mock-Ups Laser engravers can now close deals effortlessly with our new product sell sheets. It's super easy - find the MakerFlo product your customer loves, download the free sell sheet, mock up your customer's design on the product, then personalize it with your own logo and pricing, and email it to. your customer for a quick, polished and professional presentation. 

 

7. Pricing & Large Orders 

Top earning makers set their prices to reflect their time, effort and reinvestment back to equipment needs and ensure they are profitable.  

A simple pricing formula to follow is cost of goods + your time making + profit. So if a tumbler costs you $10, and you spend an hour making it at a rate of $50 / hour and add $5 for profit, you would sell that tumbler for $65.  For larger orders where you’re able to make 5 tumblers in one hour and keep your hourly rate at $50, your price per tumbler would come down to $25 per tumbler.   

💡 Simple Pricing Formula:  Cost of Goods + (Your Time x Your Hourly Rate) + Profit = Finished Price

Serious makers that want to grow a solid business focus on securing large custom orders, but they don’t undercut themselves on one-off customization requests.  They grow partnerships with businesses like realtors that always have a demand for gift giving and may offer volume discounts  to secure ongoing business and orders. They venture into making Ready-To-Sell items that they can consign at local stores where profit per unit may be lower, but they get the benefit of getting their brand in front of more eyes.  By smart marketing, constant networking and selling to local businesses they create demand and word of mouth for their products and services. 

8. They Shop To Save 

Savvy makers purchase in volume to get the lowest price on their cost of goods to maximize their profit and offer the most competitive price. When shopping at MakerFlo their taking advantage of all the everyday deals we offer. 

• Build-A-Bundle for buying samples or fulfilling smaller orders. Build-A-Bundle offers a 10% discount on 25 mix and match tumblers, blanks or supplies. 
• Bulk Purchasing - 20% Off When Shopping By The Case - this offers the lowest cost per unit saving 20% off the singles price.
• Sales Tax Exemption - They'll file their resale certificate form which allows MakerFlo to offer them a sales tax exemption on tumblers and blanks they purchase to sell.
• They take advantage of Flo Rewards loyalty program, using their loyalty points and rewards for discounts on their purchases  
• They order a $99 minimum to save with free shipping

9. They Prioritize Customer Experience

Photo Ready-to-sell handcrafted epoxy tumblers by @lovebylesha on Instagram

It’s not just about making a beautiful product—it’s about how you package it, communicate with buyers, and make them feel appreciated. They extend one on one time to their customers to ensure they approve each tweak of a design to deliver what their customers want.  

They are highly responsive to their customers and clients returning phone calls, emails, and dms within 24 hours of receiving them. 

Offering personalized options is what makes the products and service they sell more valuable and meaningful. Successful makers know that today’s customers want something unique—and they use laser engraving, UV printing, sublimation, and more help make that possible. 

After a sale is complete they send a short thank-you note or care card goes a long way in keeping customers coming back. Lastly they stay in touch and ask happy customers for reviews and feedback to share on their socials and website. 

10. They Stay Inspired & Never Give Up

Burnout is real. Successful makers make time to rest, explore, and find inspiration in nature, travel, other creatives, or even just browsing Pinterest. Refilling your creative cup is just as important as pouring it out.

Every successful maker has a story of a customization gone wrong, a lost sale, or a ruined batch. The difference is—they don’t quit. They learn, pivot, and come back stronger. Mistakes are part of the process.

They show up in real life—selling at pop-ups, making sample kits, walking into local businesses, and introducing themselves. Success often starts with being bold and making genuine connections face-to-face. These makers aren’t just selling, they’re helping others and making friends and building partnerships in their community.

Final Thoughts

Success as a maker isn’t about luck—it’s about daily habits, intentional growth, and staying connected to why you started in the first place. Whether you’re working on tumblers, leatherette patches, wood signs, or custom apparel, these principles can take your craft (and your business) to the next level.

At MakerFlo, we’re here to support you every step of the way—with top-quality products, educational resources, and a community of like-minded makers. You’ve got this. 💪

Want More Business Building Resources? 

Visit MakerFlo Professional it's loaded with business building resources, articles and tools to help you grow and succeed. Laser engravers can also visit our all-new laser engraving maker hub for more maker resources.


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