Inventory, manufacturing process, business success topics for small DTC manufacturers.
inventory management
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.
bookkeeping tax
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.
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.
Cash vs accrual accounting: what's the difference, and which one should a maker actually use? Here's what you need to know — including how your choice affects your COGS and inventory tracking.
Inventory shrinkage isn't just a retail problem. For makers, it shows up as failed batches, spilled wax, expired oils, and miscounted beads. Here's how to track and account for it.
handmade success
Good record keeping for your craft business means tracking income, expenses, COGS, and inventory — so tax time doesn't become a crisis. Here's exactly what to track and how.
Most inventory scanning advice assumes you have $500 to spend on a dedicated scanner. You don't need one. Here's how small business makers use QR codes — plus NFC and Bluetooth alternatives — to track materials and products with nothing but a phone.
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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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