If you're a Glowforge owner, you may be wondering whether it's possible to sell the products you make with it. The answer is a resounding yes! This post will cover a few different topics related to selling products made with a Glowforge, including licensing, tips for cutting costs, adding value to your products, where to sell your items, and some ideas to inspire you.
First, it's important to consider whether you actually want to make money with your Glowforge. Some things to consider include your motivation (do you want to earn money, support your family, or just make some extra cash?), your tech skills (can you set up a website or Etsy shop?), and whether you're willing to deal with difficult customers. Answering these questions will give you a better idea of whether starting a small business with your Glowforge is the right choice for you.
When it comes to licensing, you need to be careful to avoid violating copyright or trademark. If you're not designing your own files, you can buy projects from online shops, but be sure to read the terms of use carefully. Some files are only licensed for personal use, which means you can't sell products made with them. If you want to use licensed images, like those of Disney characters, you're better off staying away, as you could get in trouble for using them. The only way it is legal to use a Disney character, quote, etc in your product is to get a license directly from Disney (or whoever owns the copyright / trademark).
To make money with your Glowforge, it's a good idea to narrow down your product line to just a few items or themes. This will help you avoid wasting products and keep your margins higher. Consider "added value" options to make your products more unique and charge a premium. For example, if you're making home decor signs, maybe you could specialize in customizing them for special events, like a wedding or a new baby.
Buying material at wholesale is another way to save money on your products. Once you've narrowed down your product line, you can buy more materials at a cheaper price. Just be aware that larger products may be more difficult and expensive to ship. Some sources where you can find wholesale / bulk project materials is on amazon.com or alibaba.com. If you use Alibaba, make sure you do your research on international purchases, shipping, and dealing with customs,
Finally, it's important to choose the right place to sell your products. You can sell on platforms like Etsy, Amazon, or your own website, but each option comes with its own pros and cons. You should also think about how you'll market your products and how you'll handle shipping and customer service.
Overall, selling products made with a Glowforge is definitely possible, but it requires some careful planning and consideration. By following these tips, you can set yourself up for success and start earning money doing something you love!
There are some awesome YouTube channels featuring creators that are making an income with their Glowforge. They have been very generous in sharing their tips & tricks, fails & successes with us. Visit their channels:
Kim & Garrett Make It https://www.youtube.com/@KimandGarrettmakeit
Kim and Garrett share their projects and techniques, providing step-by-step instructions and tips for success. Their channel covers much more than just Glowforge. They are really fun to watch & they are always honest about what works & what doesn't.
85th and Pine https://www.youtube.com/@85thandPine/about
Catherine and Brandon are work from home parents who run a fulltime laser cutting business using a Glowforge. They share project ideas, tips and designs.
PG HAT CO https://www.youtube.com/@PGHATCO/featured
Donnie left an engineering firm of 18 years to make leather patch hats out of his garage, using Glowforge Pro's. He works alongside his wife, Mandy, with the help of their kids.
Glowforge https://www.youtube.com/@Glowforge/featured
Glowforge itself has a channel and they have a new series dedicated to starting an online business.
