Inventory, manufacturing process, business success topics for small DTC manufacturers.
inventory management
Thinking of tracking your handmade inventory in a spreadsheet? Here's what craft inventory spreadsheets can and can't do for your Etsy or handmade business.
bookkeeping tax
LLC or sole prop? Here's the quick decision guide for handmade sellers — with a comparison table, tax breakdown, and a clear framework for when it's worth forming an LLC.
Wondering if your handmade business is considered a hobby or a business? This article will explain the IRS 9-factor test, the tax implications for each classification, and what it means for makers who are just starting out.
Most cake makers set prices without knowing their real costs and order ingredients without tracking what's on the shelf. Here's how inventory software fixes both, and when it's time to stop using a spreadsheet.
Struggling to keep your Etsy inventory under control? This guide walks through Etsy's built-in tools, when to add software, and how to avoid the stockouts that hurt your shop ranking.
If you spend more time hunting for materials than actually making things, a location naming system will fix that. Here's how to build one that works for a home studio or small workshop.
If you are just starting your craft business and need some advice, or need some guidance on what to do next in order to grow your handmade business further then definitely consider arranging a mentor meeting with SCORE.
If you store your inventory and product samples at home in a dedicated location, you should be eligible to claim for business use of this space without needing to meet the usual exclusive use test.
handmade success
Learn how consignment selling works for handmade makers — how to find the right shops, negotiate agreements, and track your stock across locations so nothing goes missing.
We explain what Etsy sellers need to know about the 1099K form, what you'll need to do with this form and what to do if you don't receive one.
Etsy scatters your financial data across several reports. Here's exactly where to find your monthly statements, payment history, and order data in the current Etsy UI.
Are materials a business expense? Technically yes, but claiming them directly as expenses instead of COGS could cost you hundreds in missed deductions. Here's what makers need to know.
Not sure whether to use FIFO, LIFO, or weighted average cost for your handmade business? Here's what each method means in practice — with real maker examples — and which one Craftybase uses automatically.
The IRS doesn't care how small you are. If you make products from raw materials, you're required to track inventory. Here's what Publication 334 says — and the simplest way to keep track of inventory for your small business.
Packaging beautifully doesn't have to eat your margins. Here are 11 low cost ideas for handmade sellers that make a real impression — plus why tracking packaging as a COGS line item is the one thing most makers skip.
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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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