How to Start A Vinyl Business 2022 | Hassle Free Decal Printing

Vinyl cutting is one of the many arts and crafts endeavors you can quickly pick as a side hustle. The art and crafts industry is booming, and people are becoming more interested in making crafts and ultimately selling their handwork; starting a vinyl business is lucrative. If you’re a natural DIYer, vinyl cutting might be the right business for you; it is easy to set up and doesn’t require much capital.

How do you start a Vinyl Cutting Business?

To start a vinyl cutting business, you will have to be conversant with a vinyl cutting machine and a home computer system with design software. A vinyl cutting machine is controlled by a computer that scans the design on your computer and converts it to an outline. The machine then cuts the design with a sharp blade from a vinyl sheet. Most vinyl cutters look like a regular computer printer. This allows you to make stickers, logos, and several designs for your home, office, or clients.

How to Make Vinyl Decals: What Supplies Are Required for the Business?

Starting a vinyl business requires little capital; only 1% of necessary sellers loans to start their business to get what they need to make vinyl decals. So, while this business requires little capital, it requires dedication and hard work - there are some vinyl cutter business packages available. Some of the supplies or materials you’ll need to set up a vinyl cutting business include:

Personal Laptop or Desktop

This is probably one of the first things you already own, and if you don’t own one, you’ll need to buy one for your starting vinyl cutting business. The minimum specifications of the computer should be 4Gb of RAM, 2.0 GHz processor, and enough space on the hard drive. The monitor should be big enough to project realistic images; a 16-bit 1366 X 768 resolution is advisable. You’ll need broadband connectivity.

Vinyl Cutter

A vinyl cutter is where you will spend most of your capital since it’s your money-making machine. You cannot afford to cut costs on this machine, especially if you’re planning to expand your business in the long term. It’s a must-have to start a sticker business. You’ll need to get a quality cutter. Some of the best desktop machines you can buy are Silhouette Cameo 3 and the Cricut Explore Air 2. Both machines are inexpensive, and most small businesses today started with one of these machines. For a more sophisticated and pricier machine, you can invest in Klic-N-Kut’s KNK Zing Orbit or KNK Force. Although they are more expensive, they are recommended for successful home businesses because they cut the most accurate vinyl decals quickly.

Other things you’ll require include

Heat Press; used for transferring print
Vinyl Rolls; in different colors like white, black, blue, silver, red, and pink for your products such as banners.
Transfer Tape
Cutting Mat
A squeegee
Application tape
Camera
Accounting software
Packing and shipping supplies

What Software Can I Use?

Vinyl cutters come with their software. It will enable you to design basic vectors or load bought or downloaded templates cut out by the machine. However, to create a competitive advantage for your business, you’ll need to be able to cut out your designs. There are a lot of software available online, but most professional software include;

CorelDRAW

This is an affordable vinyl cutting software used by many designers. It is easy to learn and ideal for both beginners and advanced designers. It has user-friendly tools that enable you to edit your designs with professional-grade applications and help with your vinyl cutting designs.

Easy Cut Studio

Thousands of users use Easy Cut Studio vinyl cutting software. It is user-friendly and allows you to quickly draw your images on the cutting mat. It has functions for auto-tracing, freehand drawing, Bezier operations, Lattice design, rhinestone design, and the list goes on.

Sure Cuts A Lot Pro

The Sure Cuts A Lot Pro is an easy-to-use vinyl cutting software. The software allows you to create images for decals, t-shirts, signs, and others. It has features like Photoshop and other Adobe editing software’s into the SCAL workflow (easy-to-use guidelines, magnetic snapping, and even masking).

Commercial Licensing and Copycats

Most of the designs you’ll be using might be downloaded designs, except you’re planning on creating all your designs ideas. Downloading designs are typical. However, you will need to buy a commercial license if you intend to sell online. Unlike a personal license, purchasing a commercial license is not a cheap investment. If you sell downloaded designs online without a commercial license, it is theft, and you can get sued. If you do enough research, you might find a discounted commercial license. On the other hand, if you’re skilled at creating your designs, you can make your commercial license. This allows you to send a cease and desist letter to anyone using your designs without permission through your lawyer.

Starting Your Vinyl Cutting Business Locally

Before opening an online or offline business, you’ll need to check the US patent and trademark office to ensure you’re not using another company’s name. Choose a descriptive name that is not on Pinterest, Facebook, or Instagram. You can start selling your crafts to family and friends and then branch out to your local community. You can ask them to spread the word to other acquaintances and friends who might need vinyl decals, stickers, labels, signs, cards, or party accessories. You can participate in events/craft fairs at schools or convention centers. Other places you can sell locally include;

Sports teams for schools
To wedding planners for invitations cards, menus, and stickers for décor.
To party planners for baby shower cards and decors.
To interior designers for vinyl wall decals.
To local businesses for signs and stickers for their clients.

During crafts shows, you want to display beautifully finished products so that potential clients can pick and handle your craft. You can display mugs, t-shirts, tumblers, or loose decals and stickers.

Pros of Selling Locally

Building close-knit clients and organizations in your community.
Clients and potential clients get to see your craft first hand.

Cons of Selling Locally

To sell locally, you must be socially adept, basically a people person.
It is limited, which means that your business might not expand exponentially.
You will have to work with the client’s deadlines.

Starting Your Vinyl Cutting Business Online

Starting an online business is usually the first step to getting recognized and selling for most new businesses. For others, selling online is often the next step after setting up their local store. You can set up your website if you don’t want the additional fees that come with sites like Etsy. You can also open a business social media profile on Facebook and Instagram. Sites like Etsy offer crafters a platform to sell to people in need of their craft at an affordable fee. If you want to start on Etsy, here are a few helpful tips

Use gorgeous pictures
Have people you know buy your products and get them to leave feedback.
Pack and ship on time
Start with low prices
Optimize our keywords to get noticed quicker
Have a good customer service

Pros of Selling Online

You get to reach a broader audience that isn’t possible with local stores.
If you’re not a people person, don’t fret! You don’t need to have face-to-face interactions.
You can make sales while sleeping or cooking.
You get to have your schedule.

Cons of Selling Online

Huge competition and is relatively slow to get noticed.
You must be responsive to online messages.
Packing and shipping are a hassle.
Most of your work will need to be photographed, which means clients won’t be able to touch your craft physically.

A valuable tip for driving sales on your website or Etsy site is to do giveaways or offer discounts on your products. You can also use sticker maker apps like Stickify, uSticker, and Sticker Maker Pro to make custom stickers. And finally, make sure your image is consistent on all your social media profiles.

How to Price Vinyl Decals

No matter what, look at how competitors are pricing them. Pricing them is simply a matter of looking at the work entailed, competition prices, and your reputation. If you are a local print shop, you can look at nearby shops, but you’ll want to look at the big competitor’s business to consumer pricing if you’re online. You may want to be on the cheaper end if you’re starting. After all, if you’re new, it’ll be hard to get customers if you’re selling at the same price or higher than more established customers. It’s possible to sell if you have a unique selling point, but generally, it’s pretty hard. Finally, if certain stickers are more complicated (which you’ll understand through experience and have an idea by looking at prices), then charge a little more. As your reputation goes up, you can also move prices up (a little).

White labeling and Print on Delivery (POD)

White labeling is when companies remove their logos and brand from their product and services, which your company can rebrand for sales and distribution. For example, you can buy a generic set of cups with no labels and use your vinyl cutting machine to create labels for your clients. Here at FoamCorePrint, we offer white labeling and reselling at great prices to maximize your margins and ship quickly to make sure your customers are satisfied. At the same time, POD is when you sell your custom designs on products like t-shirts and mugs. With POD, you can pay for the product and services after being sold, which reduces the need to buy in bulk or do inventory.

Pros of POD

Mass Production: Since the products and services are readily available, you won’t have to go through the hassle of producing your own.
Depending on the supplier company you use, the shipping and fulfillment is usually their responsibility. All you have to do after-sales is customer service.
You can test ideas, and since you’re not doing any inventory, it reduces investment and risk.

Cons of POD

The cost per item is usually higher than buying in bulk and might yield meager profits.
Shipping might get complicated since you’re not in control.
You have limited control over customization.

Hopefully, this action-packed post, has helped you learn a lot about making vinyl stickers, which can be applied in a variety of ways. Some of those applications we already covered are:

Ceramic Stickers

Ceramic decals can really add a lot of depth to the design of your pottery, which is the power of nice decals. Ceramic decal is the main technique for decorating porcelain, stoneware, majolica, and glass of various compositions. Ceramic stickers are a fantastic way to improve the look of some of your favorite objects or to promote your business and applying them is super easy.

Fishing Rod Stickers

When customizing your fishing rods with decals you can look into numerous designs and see what’s available out there. The stickers are easily put on your fishing rod, and they help raise their visual appeal a great deal. Plus, they actually aren’t difficult to use at all. So, if you’re looking to prepare for an upcoming fishing season, let’s start working on your custom fishing rod decals now.

Boat Name Decals

Vinyl stickers are used to customize boats and other surfaces that work with adhesive. If you own a boat, chances are you already have a name for it, and you're eager to just put the name on. You can choose from either full-color, digitally-printed, removable boat decals or custom-cut boat lettering to show off your boat while making waves!

Tire Walls Decals

Tire lettering is very popular. It enhances the appearance of your car, making it more expensive-looking. They can transform your vehicle into a race car, and it is quite affordable. Unlike the typical decals you see on car windows, tire stickers are made from specialized, cut-out rubber. You can use these stickers on your car or power bike, and you can choose between a temporary or permanent sticker.

FAQs

1. Is the vinyl business profitable?

Vinyl is a profitable business because it can be utilized for a wide range of applications. As a result, the product has a long lifespan and can be used for many years to come. Vinyl company is successful since the art and craft industry is increasing and more people are interested in crafting crafts and eventually selling their handwork.

2. What do I need to start making vinyl decals?

In order to start making vinyl decals, you will need the following supplies:
- A computer with internet access
- A printer that can print onto clear material
- An inkjet printer (for printing on clear material) or a laser printer (for printing on paper)
- Paint for the design in addition to other colors as needed. The paint should be acrylic, watercolor, gouache, or tempera. Acrylic is recommended because it dries quickly and is waterproof

3. How do you charge for vinyl decals?

There are a few different ways to charge for vinyl decals. The most common way is by the square inch or linear foot depending on the size of the decal. You can also offer a custom quote if you have specific requirements for your project and would like to find out what it will cost before starting work.

4. How much money can you make selling decals?

Individual bumper stickers typically cost between $0.15 and $0.75 each to print. Depending on the size, quality, region, and the sort of sticker you choose, you may sell them for anywhere from $3 to $10 each sticker, depending on the price. You're earning a tidy profit there.

5. What kind of stickers are popular?

There are many different types of stickers, but some popular ones are:

-Logo stickers
-Clear Stickers
-Die-cut stickers
-Photo stickers
-Bumper stickers