Starting Your Own Cricut Small Business: Etsy vs. Shopify (Gear, Prici

Starting Your Own Cricut Small Business: From Etsy to Shopify

If you’re knee-deep in vinyl scraps and your Cricut is basically your third child, it might be time to turn that hobby into a business. In this post, I’ll show you exactly how I started (Etsy first, then Shopify for growth), how to price your products, and the exact tools I use daily—all linked on my Amazon Storefront.

→ Want to support a small business? Shop my tees, sweaters, and retro motel keychains at LilyTaylorDesigns.com (where you’ll always find the best deals + bundles). 💛

Step 1: Pick a Niche (and make it you)

Don’t try to sell everything to everyone. Start with something specific:

Funny mom tees (my bread and butter)
Minimalist home décor signs
Personalized wedding/bachelorette gifts
Seasonal collections (Halloween, Christmas, game day, etc.)

Pro tip: Create one “hero product” first and perfect your photos, pricing, and process before you scale.

Step 2: Start on Etsy

Etsy = built-in traffic + easy setup. It’s the fastest way to validate your idea.

Pros: Millions of shoppers, SEO-friendly, easy to launch.
Cons: Fees (they add up), limited control over branding and repeat-customer retention.

Use strong keywords in your title & description (e.g., “Custom Cricut Vinyl T-Shirt – Personalized Mom Shirt – Gift for Her”).

Step 3: Graduate to Shopify (Own Your Brand)

Once you know you’ve got something, move your main shop to Shopify. You’ll keep more profit, collect emails, and build a brand. I still list on Etsy—but I push buyers to my Shopify with:

Exclusive products & bundles
First-dibs launches
Email-only discounts
Freebies/limited-time add-ons post-purchase

Internal links to add (swap with your real URLs):

Shop New Arrivals: lilytaylordesigns.com/collections/new
Best Sellers: lilytaylordesigns.com/collections/best-sellers
Sign Up & Save 10%: lilytaylordesigns.com/pages/subscribe
About Me (Small Biz Mom in GA): lilytaylordesigns.com/pages/about

Step 4: My Cricut Business Tech Stack (Amazon Storefront)

Here’s what I actually use—and would rebuy tomorrow:

Cricut Maker 3 → https://amzn.to/3H300xI
Cricut Cutting Mats (Light/Standard/Strong Grip) → https://amzn.to/3IDHLQ7
Heat Press 15"x15" → https://amzn.to/46siIt0
HTV / DTF Vinyl Rolls → https://amzn.to/3UrV1cW
Transfer Tape → https://amzn.to/3TYaz8m
Weeding Tools & Scraper Set → https://amzn.to/4lLNe64
T‑Shirt Blanks (Comfort Colors) → https://amzn.to/4lLoRW9
Thermal Label Printer → https://amzn.to/46sFWPU
4x6 Thermal Labels → https://amzn.to/4o3zp4k
Shipping Scale → https://amzn.to/4ond4z5
Poly Mailers → https://amzn.to/46XJR7d
Teflon/Press Sheets → https://amzn.to/453BDIq
Lint Roller (non-negotiable) → https://amzn.to/4kZxfQH

Step 5: Pricing Your Cricut Products

Pricing is where many new Cricut businesses trip up (I’ve been there!). You want to be competitive without undercharging yourself. Here’s my simple formula:

Materials + Labor + Overhead + Platform Fees + Profit Margin = Your Price.

A few tips:

Don’t forget labor. If it takes 20 minutes to make, that’s a cost.
Factor in Etsy fees (they add ~9–10% on average) and shipping supplies.
Round up! If your calculation lands at $23.87, go with $25. You’re running a business, not a charity.
Test and adjust. If something sells out too quickly, your price might be too low.

Step 6: Market Like a Boss

Pinterest & TikTok: fastest organic traffic for crafts.
Email Marketing (I use Klaviyo): nurture with launches, bundles, and insider discounts.
Local Facebook groups/markets: build loyal repeat customers.

Step 7: Keep It Fun & Sustainable

Start with one bestseller, get your workflow tight, then layer in products. Test. Tweak. Grow. And remember—you can be profitable and present for your family.

This post contains affiliate links, including links to my Amazon Storefront. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting my small, mom-owned business!

Starting Your Own Cricut Small Business: Etsy vs. Shopify (Gear, Pricing, & My Exact Workflow)