The Cricut crafting machine that could turn a hobby into a business and it does more than just stickers | Cricut

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Cricut machines can make everything from custom clothing to personalised gifts.

With the cost of living remaining high, launching a side hustle is a practical way to boost your income ahead of the festive season. The Cricut machine could help you start a money-making side business from personalised T-shirts and mugs to wedding decorations and gift bags. This clever crafting gadget opens up plenty of possibilities for anyone who fancies turning a hobby into a little extra income.

Cricut machines are designed to cut materials such as vinyl, iron-on transfers, paper and card into custom shapes and designs. You can use the free Design Space software to create your own projects, add names and messages, or work with ready-made designs.

The initial cost depends on which machine you choose. At the moment, the Cricut Joy 2 Essential Bundle is listed at £129.99, while the larger Cricut Explore 5 Essential Bundle costs £249.99. There are also more extensive bundles available, including the Explore 5 Ultimate Plus Bundle at £339.99 with a Cricut Access subscription.

You’ll need materials to get started, too. A 1.2m roll of Cricut permanent vinyl is listed at £7.49, while multipacks of craft vinyl can be found for less. Remember to budget for blank mugs, T-shirts, tote bags, packaging and any extra tools you might need.

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What could you actually make and sell?

There are lots of possibilities beyond personalised stickers. You could make:

• Personalised mugs and water bottles with names or initials.
• Custom T-shirts, sweatshirts and baby clothing using iron-on vinyl.
• Tote bags and make-up bags with personalised designs.
• Wedding decorations, place cards, table numbers and favour tags.
• Birthday cake toppers, party banners and gift bags.
• Vinyl labels for storage jars, lunchboxes and school bottles.
• Christmas decorations, personalised baubles and gift tags.
• Stickers, decals and stationery.

And there is a market for personalised items on Etsy. Current UK listings include vinyl name labels for around 40p to £1.59, custom mug decals for around £2.50, and personalised mugs listed at around £9.50. These are asking prices rather than guaranteed sale prices, but they give an idea of what shoppers are being offered.

Cricut machine | Cricut

How much could you make?

The key is working out your costs before setting a price. Selling a personalised mug for £9.50 doesn’t mean you make £9.50 profit. You need to deduct the blank mug, vinyl, packaging, postage, your time and marketplace fees. Etsy currently charges a 15p listing fee, a 6.5% transaction fee and UK payment processing of 4% plus 20p per order. There can also be additional advertising and regulatory fees.

eBay is free for UK private sellers within its allowance, but its fees are different for business sellers. If you’re regularly making products to sell for profit, don’t assume you qualify for private seller rates. There are a few rules to understand, too. HMRC says people making goods to sell are likely to be trading, and if total trading income exceeds the £1,000 trading allowance in a tax year, they need to tell HMRC.

You also need permission to use copyrighted characters, logos and designs. Cricut has an Angel Policy covering certain designs, but third-party licensed artwork is excluded. It won’t guarantee a steady income, but if you enjoy crafting, a Cricut could give you a creative hobby with the potential to grow into a small side business.

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