Inventory, manufacturing process, business success topics for small DTC manufacturers.
business
Most handmade sellers have no idea if their order volume is normal. We pulled data from 1,800+ active Craftybase accounts to show exactly what the distribution looks like — and where the inflection points are.
pricing
Wholesale pricing for handmade products isn't just 'charge less' — it's a completely different math. Here's the formula, the margin stack, and why getting your COGS right first is non-negotiable.
bookkeeping tax
Learn how to calculate Cost of Goods Sold for your handmade business. Covers the COGS formula, materials, labour, overhead, weighted average costing, pricing, and Schedule C reporting.
Schedule C Part III is the section that trips up most handmade sellers at tax time. Here's what COGS actually means for makers, what to include, and how to fill it out correctly.
What does a healthy profit margin actually look like in your niche? Real gross margin benchmarks from 715,000 Craftybase order lines across 11 maker categories — and what the numbers tell you about your pricing.
handmade success
Most advice tells you to pick one platform and focus. The research suggests the opposite — makers who sell on both Etsy and Shopify tend to build more resilient, profitable businesses.
Thinking about expanding beyond Etsy or Shopify? Here's how to know when you're actually ready — and what to set up before you flip the switch.
Real order data from 1,200+ handmade sellers reveals exactly when demand peaks and troughs throughout the year — so you can plan production, materials, and cash flow with confidence.
Real COGS benchmark data from 1.3 million order lines across 11 maker niches. Find out if your materials cost percentage is typical — or a warning sign.
Starting a jewelry business from home costs less than most people think — but the numbers shift dramatically as you grow. Here's a real cost breakdown by stage, from under $500 to wholesale-ready.
Faire charges brands a 25% commission on first orders from each new retailer, 15% on repeats, plus a $10 transaction fee per order. Here's how that adds up — and how to price for it.
Not every jar or tin is safe to fill with hot wax. Here's what actually makes a container candle-safe — heat resistance, pour temperature limits, wick sizing by diameter — for soy, paraffin, and beeswax.
200+ craft business name ideas organised by niche — sewing, candle, soap, jewelry, and baking — plus how to check availability on Etsy, Shopify, and for trademark.
100+ bakery name ideas organised by style — cute, funny, French-inspired, pun-based, and professional — plus how to check availability and protect your name.
Most handmade sellers price too low. Here's how to position your products as premium — and why knowing your true costs is the first step.
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Because they don't know what their products actually cost to make.
Every week, one practical tip on pricing, materials, and COGS — the numbers that turn a busy craft business into a profitable one.
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