Vinyl Business Supplies using a Cricut or Silhouette

Lately my inbox has been flooded with questions about the supplies I am using for my business, blog and cut files. Of course I am always quick to answer these questions because I want all of you to have the tools keyou need to be successful in every season of your craft journey.

I decided instead of spending lots of time looking up links I would gather everything here. Now you will have a spot to check if you are questioning what cutting machine, heat press, camera or other supplies I have been using.

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This post contains affiliate links to products I use and recommend. By making a purchase I may receive a small commission.

Basics – Computer, Printer, Tablet and Phone

I was using a dinosaur toshiba laptop that weighed a ton and had some keys missing but upgraded last month. I also recently started using a tablet. Both of these items have been game changers for me.

It took me a while to figure out how much I love Apple products after using Samsung phones and PCs. Now with the iphone, iPad and Mac laptop I can  quickly air drop files back and fourth which has been saving me SO much time. I’ve switched to the dark side as my brother tells me.

• Laptop – Apple MacBook Air (this exact one I ordered on Amazon)
• iPad – I had to make sure it was compatible with Procreate App
• iPad Case – OtterBox Defender Case
• Printer – HP Envy 5055 (mine is an older version of this printer)
• Phone – iPhone 7 Plus

Supplies Used to Create Cut Files

This is a list of supplies I use to create my cut files. I used to create them the old fashioned way with a black sharpie and paper. Then I would scan them into the computer and digitize with Adobe Illustrator. In the last few months I started using the ProCreate app on my iPad.

• iPad Pro– (if you don’t get this one just make sure it is compatible with Apple Pencil and ProCreate app if you want to create cut files of your own doodles and hand lettering.)
• Apple Pencil
• ProCreate app for my iPad
• Adobe Illustrator (I have a monthly subscription for all Adobe Apps at $52.99/month)

Photo and Video Supplies

I was using my Nikon camera on a daily basis when I was blogging a lot of craft tutorials and recipes. Over the past year I’ve started using my phone more and more for both photos and videos. I find using it is so much more convenient.

My phone is smaller and always with me. Plus I don’t have to get the pictures off of my camera and edit them from a laptop. I can edit and use from my phone as I need to use a picture. This is especially great for posting to Instagram.

*Disclaimer – this is not to say I don’t LOVE my camera because it takes amazing pictures. The pictures are great if I’m doing portrait photos. If I’m doing flat lays I don’t need it and neither do you.

• Nikon D3400
• Video and Photo Lighting
• Photo Reflector – I only use this for photos on dreary days to amplify the lighting.
• iPhone
• Backdrops – I use solid color poster boards. Most less than $1
• Lapel Mic – to record voiceover on videos

TShirt Side Business Supplies

I have a facebook group and online shop where I sell things (mostly Tshirts) that I make with my Silhouette Cameo and heat transfer vinyl. I

A lot of these supplies are also used to make things I share on the blog.

• Silhouette Cameo 3
• Silhouette Autoblade
• Cricut light grip 12×24 mat
• Mockup Photos (I’ve written an entire post on mockups.)
• Cut files (I create my own but sometimes I purchase them too.)
• Heat Press
• Adhesive and heat transfer vinyl
• Weeding Hook
• Scissors
• WooCommerce platform for WordPress to run my online shop

Sign Making Side Hustle Supplies

Every four to six weeks I host a wood sign party at my house. Of all the things I do this one brings me the most joy and the least amount of income. Go figure, right? I do them because I enjoy the girl time with friends and new acquaintances.

I’m writing an entire post on how I host and organize my sign parties. The sign parties also inspired me to make and sell the signs on my own which has been quite successful. More on this in the coming weeks.

• Miter Saw
• Orbital Sander with sand paper
• Square
• Measuring Tape
• Kreg Jig and screws
• Wood
• Stains
• Paints
• Adhesive 631 vinyl (I use large rolls for large signs.)
• Transfer Tape or Contact Paper
• Weeding hook
• Scissors
• Paintbrushes and foam brushes
• Scrap rags for applying stain