The Essential Makers Business Guide

April 10, 2025
By: John & Marc | MakerFlo Founders

 

Welcome to the next chapter in your maker journey! 

If you already have the equipment—whether it's a laser engraver, sublimation printer, or epoxy setup—this guide is built specifically for you. You’ve made the investment, now it’s time to make it profitable. This resource is packed with real-world tips for selling your crafts, getting into new markets, and using MakerFlo tools and deals to scale your business beyond friends and family.

 

1. Name Your Business

Now that your craft game is solid, it’s time to treat your business like a business.

Define Your Identity

• Create a memorable business name, a clean logo, and consistent branding.

• Use a tool like Canva to create a logo you can use on your website, social media, packaging, and promotional materials.

Perfect Your Pitch

• Know how to describe your products and value in one sentence.

• Example: “I make premium laser-engraved gifts and drinkware that are fully customizable for holidays, events, or corporate branding.”

2. Make Your Sales Samples 

Start With High Quality Blanks

Your samples should exude quality and your professional craftsmanship. They should reflect the effort and care you put into each custom order showcasing exactly what your customers can expect when they place an order with you. That’s why it’s important to make your samples with the MakerFlo tumblers or blanks you plan to use when you're fulfilling custom orders.  

This is also a good time to refresh your memory on the selling points of MakerFlo tumblers and blanks. Potential customers will often ask about colors and features so make sure you're able to recall key points when customers ask like

• Powder coated tumblers are available in 10 colors and feature leak-proof lids
• You can add-on optional handles with the MakerFlo 40oz for an additional fee or purchase without the handle to lower your price
• How each tumbler or blank comes packaged (Hint: mention the gift box and accessories!)

💡 Pro-Tip Features remind potential customers that you’re offering professionally customized premium and durable tumblers and blanks.

Choose Your Top 3 Sellers

Choose the products that sell best for you to make your samples. For some makers, it may be the 20oz Skinny, others the 40oz and for others the Marble & Acacia Wood coasters.  Choose the mix of products that best showcase your ability, your quality and the range of products you can make and customize. 

Show Off Your Skills 

Your samples should showcase your customization ability to produce professional cups that make customers go “wow, I would love something like that!”   Create samples that give potential customers a solid idea of what you can create custom for them.  

• Laser engravers may choose to use intricate design files, to showcase the precision details they can achieve

• Sublimation makers may choose to use full wrap, bright color designs to showcase vibrancy and ink absorption 

• Resin crafters may may choose to highlight unique glitter combinations and vinyl to show-off advanced techniques  

Choose a Cohesive Theme 

Give your samples a theme so that they look good side by side and also help customers visualize what you can offer uniquely for them.  

• This could be a special technique you offer that others don't 

 

• If you focus on wedding parties and events, you may create samples with a wedding theme.  

• If you focus on doing custom brand work - create samples that display a company logo (maybe your own logo!) It can be helpful for customers to see the same logo on a variety of items, to help them better perceive how their logo could look on the same blank. 

• If you’re a resin crafter choose a cohesive color theme 

• If you live in a touristy town where people often buy keepsakes, come up with something for your town or a landmark in your area

Do A Photo Shoot!

Now that you’ve made your samples. Spend some time taking your best photos ever!  For the best shots, we recommend taking these in natural light (and yes, it’s okay to use your phone!). Think of relatable backdrops – outdoors, sporting events, the beach, the car, kitchen counters, and office desks.  If you have a business card, include it in the shot, or better yet, include yourself!  Make your photos as memorable as possible, and if you keep them in good condition, you can always take more! 

Creating samples is a labor of love.  But keep your sights on the end result… You’ll be able to take marketing images to share in your social media, online marketplaces and your personal business website. Locally, you can bring them door-to-door to show prospective buyers in person.  Treat them with care and they’ll make great conversation starters about all the things you can make, eventually leading to sales!

Sales samples are your silent salespeople. Use them to:

• Take professional product photos for marketing

• Show at in-person markets or pop-ups

• Leave behind at local shops, boutiques, and business offices

• Use in content like reels, TikToks, and product tutorials

 

Sample Ideas by Craft Type:

• Laser Engraving: Branded cutting boards for realtors, engraved patches on hats for schools or sports teams, logo keychains

• Sublimation: Company mugs with a local business's logo, personalized family tumblers

• Epoxy Tumblers: Wedding party sets, teacher appreciation gifts, seasonal glitter designs

3. Market Your Business

Marketing starts with getting your business name and what you do out there! Social media is a great place to start! 

• Join local Facebook buy/sell and community groups

• Set up on an online marketplace like Etsy, Square Online or Amazon Handmade

• Create a business Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook Page (or use your personal one!)

• If you have a shop or location, you may also be able to set up a Google Business Profile

• Send photos of your samples to micro-influencers in your niche

• Network at craft fairs, green markets and business expos

4. Start Selling (Beyond Friends & Family)

Your first sales probably came from people who know you—but real growth comes from reaching new people. The fastest way to start making sales is to get out there and start selling locally in your community. As they say in sales – “pound the pavement!”  Grab your samples, business cards and stop by local businesses that may need your custom products.

Sell to Local Businesses

Small local businesses are great places to start because, like you, they rely on the local community to succeed. Many business owners like to support each other, and others like you, who are local.  Unlike selling online, small businesses can also make decisions quickly, leading to an order quicker than if you’re trying to sell online.  Because you're able to show people, in person, who you are and the quality of your work and samples, selling locally leads to getting orders quicker and faster. 

Small businesses, retail stores, realtors, and schools are amazing repeat customers. They often need:

• Branded swag and gifts (with their logo) 

• Employee appreciation items

• Custom gifts for special events 

• Promotional giveaways

• Seasonal decor or gifts for clients

 

When approaching local businesses, come prepared with:

• Know your numbers -  Businesses will want to know their cost and profitability. 

• Ideas of what you can make for them and how it could be profitable for their business.

• Ready-to-sell products they can purchase on the spot (great for epoxy crafters!) 

• Samples with their logo (mugs, cups, hats, patches)

• Custom design options they can order in bulk or personalize

• Teaching Opportunities – Offer to host a short class at their space (e.g. “Paint Your Own Tumbler Night” or “Intro to Laser Engraving”) as a way to connect with their customers and promote your services

• Pop-Up Opportunities - Offer to bring your equipment to a retail location to offer on the spot engraving or sublimation on custom goods

 

💡 Pro-Tip Bring a few personalized samples with their logo already on it—they’ll be blown away. If you don’t have their logo, but have a good first meeting with them, ask for their logo, and offer to make them a sample!

Online Platforms

• Etsy: Great for custom and niche products

• GoDaddy, Wix, Squarespace, Wordpress or Shopify: To build your own online website or store

• Set up Facebook/Instagram Shops: Connect directly with your followers

• Faire or Abound: Wholesale platforms for boutique buyers

 

In-Person

• Craft fairs, local weekend markets and seasonal events

• Pop-up shops at coffee shops, local stores, and consignment shops

• Booths at local school or church events

• Vendor tables at business expos

 

Selling in Your Local Community

• Reach out to neighborhood businesses, schools, and event planners

• Sell logo items, personalized gifts, and seasonal decor specific to your town or region

• Offer short-run branded merchandise packages that help local businesses promote themselves

5. How To Sell With Confidence

Selling locally is one of the easiest and quickest ways to grow your business. If this is your first time selling, here’s how to do it confidently:

1. Smile  – You are your brand! Be approachable and enthusiastic.

2. Be prepared  - Know your numbers including your minimum quantity for orders & minimum price 

3. Bring samples, flyers or business card – Show off your best work and make it easy for them to contact you.

4. Walk into stores with intention – Ask to speak with the owner or manager, and if they’re not available, leave a branded sample and card or ask when a good time is to come back! While waiting take a look around, see if it inspires any questions or ideas where you can partner.

5. Offer real value – Show how your products can help their business (e.g. “These mugs with your logo could be perfect for your staff or as giveaways.”) Show how you can support their business - talk about turnaround time, availability. 

6. Follow up – Check back after a few days with a friendly message or visit. Persistence pays off. If they say no not at this time, it doesn’t hurt to ask if they may need it in the future, or if they know anyone that might be interested or know of any events or groups you should connect with! 

 

💡Pro-Tip Just be your friendly self - this is the most important part… Yes, it’s selling, but that doesn’t mean you need to become a used-car salesman. Remember, you are a locally-based Maker! Most small businesses owners embrace that community and will appreciate you for who you are! Keep it real, organic, simple and friendly! Confidence grows with practice—get out there and tell your story.

6. Pricing Your Products for Retail & B2B

Pricing your products properly ensures profitability and sustainability.

• Retail Pricing Formula: (Cost of Goods + Time + Overhead) × 2.5 to 3 = Retail Price, best for businesses that are buying custom items as customer gifts 

• Wholesale/B2B Pricing Formula: (Cost of Goods + Overhead) × 2 = Wholesale Price, wholesale should allow businesses to resell your product at retail price and still make a profit, best for retail businesses who are buying your custom products to sell at retail. 

 

Tips:

• Don’t undervalue your time or materials

• Be consistent in your pricing across platforms

• Offer tiered pricing for larger orders 

• Set your boundaries: Know your ideal price, the lowest you’re willing to go, and set order minimums

6. Set A Business Goal 

Businesses have all types of sales and business goals, your business should too.  Set a goal that’s realistic for you. Take into account the time you have available to dedicate to selling and making. If you’re a parent with a full time job and doing this as a side hustle you may only be able to dedicate a limited amount of time each month.  Likewise, if you’re just starting out you may take a little more time to get into a groove. 

Let’s say you set a goal of selling 25 tumblers per month.
If you price your tumblers to make a profit of $20 per tumbler, that’s a sales target of $500 /month (or $6,000 per year).

Now make a plan and schedule some time to selling your tumblers - 

Whether it’s posting creatively online, joining a new group each month, or setting aside time to sell door-to-door locally.  Having a goal can help you stay on track. 

7. Maximize Your Profits with MakerFlo Deals

 

We know you’re a maker with serious hustle—and we’ve got your back with ways to save and grow:

• Build-a-Bundle - Save on mix and match blanks across styles (tumblers, mugs, wood, glitter etc.) 

• Buy by the Case - Perfect for pros. Lower your cost per item and prep for bigger orders.

• Resale Tax Exemptions - If you’re a registered business, upload your resale certificate to the shop tax-free.

• Watch for Drops & Restocks - Be first to snag trending colors, seasonal blanks, and limited releases, Subscribe here

• Already subscribed?  Take advantage of Flo Rewards to shop with points, pay with points or use rewards for future purchases. 

8. MakerFlo Resources to Help You Sell Smarter

 

• Laser Engravers can utilize our new Product Sell Sheets to mock up MakerFlo products with logos or designs for their customers
  
• Cut down on testing and product time with Laser Settings for MakerFlo products
  

• MakerFlo YouTube Channel – Learn how to use our blanks to wow your customers

• MakerFlo Blog – Business tips, product showcases, and success stories

• Customer Support from Makers – Real help from people who know the craft in our Facebook Group

 

9. Final Tips for Growth-Minded Makers

• Don’t wait for people to find you—go find them. Be visible.

• Invest time in high-quality product photos and videos.

• Make every sale an opportunity to upsell or ask for a referral.

• Keep testing what sells best and lean into it.

 

You already have the tools—now it’s time to sell like a pro.

Let MakerFlo help you grow faster, smarter, and more profitably. You’re not just making products. You’re building a brand.

Let’s get selling!