Manufacturing

Inventory, manufacturing process, business success topics for small DTC manufacturers.

How to Track Custom Orders in Craftybase

inventory-management

How to Track Custom Orders in Craftybase

Craftybase doesn't have a quoting module, but there are two reliable workarounds that let you estimate costs, confirm orders, manufacture pieces, and track every material used — all in one place.

· 12 min read
How to Track Material Inventory Alongside Shopify (A Guide for Product-Based Sellers)

inventory management

How to Track Material Inventory Alongside Shopify (A Guide for Product-Based Sellers)

Shopify tracks finished products. It doesn't track raw materials, recipes, or what it cost to make each item. Here's how to build the inventory layer Shopify is missing — specifically for Shopify sellers who manufacture what they sell.

· 19 min read
Shopify Inventory Management for Handmade Businesses

inventory management

Shopify Inventory Management for Handmade Businesses

Shopify tracks your finished products. It doesn't track your raw materials, recipes, or production runs. Here's how to build a complete inventory system if you actually make what you sell.

· 17 min read
Switching from Katana to Craftybase — A Migration Guide for Makers

inventory management

Switching from Katana to Craftybase — A Migration Guide for Makers

You've decided to leave Katana. Good. Here's exactly how to get your data out, get set up in Craftybase, and what to expect when you make the switch — including the honest bit about what you'll lose.

· 16 min read
How to Track Cost of Goods Sold in WooCommerce (Plugins vs. Manufacturing Software)

bookkeeping tax

How to Track Cost of Goods Sold in WooCommerce (Plugins vs. Manufacturing Software)

WooCommerce doesn't track COGS natively. Compare plugin options against dedicated manufacturing software, and see why product businesses producing their own goods need more than a static cost field.

· 19 min read
bookkeeping tax

bookkeeping tax

QuickBooks for Small Manufacturers: What It Does, Where It Falls Short, and What to Use Instead

QuickBooks is excellent accounting software — but it wasn't built for makers who manufacture products. Here's an honest look at what it does well, where it breaks down for small manufacturers, and how to build a system that actually works.

· 25 min read
Cannabis Manufacturing Software: Affordable Alternatives to Industry-Specific Platforms

inventory management

Cannabis Manufacturing Software: Affordable Alternatives to Industry-Specific Platforms

Let's be honest - as a cannabis manufacturer, you're drowning in compliance paperwork, second-guessing your costs, and losing sleep over whether you're tracking things correctly. The $500/month platforms want you to believe that's your only option—but what most small manufacturers actually need is something simpler: cost tracking that's accurate, inventory that's honest, and software that doesn't require a computer science degree.

· 13 min read
inventory management

inventory management

Production Planning Tools You Need for your Maker Business

The production planning tools and techniques you need to know for maker success.

· 13 min read
What is MRP in Manufacturing? A Guide for Small Makers

inventory management

What is MRP in Manufacturing? A Guide for Small Makers

Material Requirements Planning (MRP) helps small manufacturers know exactly what materials to order, when to order them, and how much to produce. Here's how it works — and why it matters more than most makers realise.

· 16 min read
Supply Chain Management Software for Small Manufacturing Businesses (2026 Guide)

inventory management

Supply Chain Management Software for Small Manufacturing Businesses (2026 Guide)

If you're a startup or growing manufacturing business, then it's likely you need to think about supply chain management software. This guide explains what a supply chain actually is for small makers, and which tools can help you manage it.

· 14 min read
How to choose software to optimize your manufacturing process

inventory management

How to choose software to optimize your manufacturing process

Not all manufacturing software is built for people who make things by hand. Here's how to find the right solution for your small-batch operation — without paying for factory-grade complexity you'll never use.

· 18 min read

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