enJOY it

an archived personal and craft blog from Elise Blaha Cripe.

small business resources

(hi! I updated this post in November 2020 with more resources that I currently use.) I get the same few small business questions in my email inbox often. I don't mind, it means I get to feel like an accidental expert in custom rubber stamps and paper stocks (I am not even close). But it also means that it's about time I just shared allllll the info in one post and stuck it on the sidebar (and in my FAQs) so you and I can all save ourselves some email time and just get on to the more exciting parts of small business owning (like ordering business cards and telling Netflix that "YES, I do indeed want to continue watching.") (I'm totally kidding about the Netflix. That was my life…and then I had a kid.)

Below are the online companies I have used and continue to use daily or at least quarterly. I have also linked some tools that help keep this ship running. Many links are affiliate, but all of this stuff (and everything you see on the blog) really does have my stamp of approval. (Speaking of affiliate programs, learn more here.)

Something to note … some of this stuff was found after tons of searching. Some of this stuff I found immediately and have just stuck with because it works well. I don't doubt there are better processes and better companies out there, but for my size small business (sole proprietor who works out of house) and the amount of inventory I ship (2800 packages last year), I am really pleased with this collection of sources.

small business resources

COMPANIES

Sticker Giant / They make the stickers that go on my packaging (I love that they can print a metallic gold) and they make the "remember to order your next planner" stickers I shipped out with Get To Work Book orders. The quality is fantastic.

Overnight Prints / I use this company for thank you cards and other printed materials. Like their name promises, you can get your order in one day, but you'll pay for that rush. I find that my orders usually take about 10 days and I pay for the cheapest shipping. I get asked a lot what paper stock I use with overnight prints. I always use the general 15pt cardstock and it's a Satin Matte Finish. I rarely get rounded corners but it's an option. There is always a great sale through these guys and I take advantage of that all the time. 

small business resources

Pirate Ship / I do all of my shipping through Pirate Ship as of fall 2019. I love how easily it integrates with my shop and that it allows USPS cubic rate shipping.

Flodesk / I switched newsletter providers in 2019 and am in love with Flodesk. The templates are beautiful and it's easy to use. PLUS! It's a flat rate per month no matter how many newsletters you have and how many subscribers are on your list(s). Use my link here to save 50% your monthly fee.

Tape Jungle / I get my custom tape here.

small business resources

Waste Not Paper / on the rare occasion I am printing cards for resale, I purchase envelopes and cardstock wholesale through Waste Not Paper which is associated with Paper Source.

yelp / I use yelp almost daily to find everything from a local letterpress printer to a trademark lawyer. It's shocking how many resources are in your backyard and reading reviews has helped me find some gems.

TOOLS & PROGRAMS

Dymo labelwriter / I couldn't do my shipping without a label printer. I use this one and the best part is it's laser so no ink cartridges. I use these zero-waste shipping labels.

small business resources

Walcom Tablet / I use this to add handwriting to graphics or to promo pieces like my business cards (or the just start stamp). It took some getting used to, but I love how easy it is to "write" on stuff now.

Canon printer / this has been my go-to printer for six years running.

small business resources

Rotatrim Paper Trimmer / of all the business purchases I have made, this one probably made me feel the most legit. A real, heavy duty, huge paper cutter is a MUST for what I do.

square card reader / on the rare occasion I sell at a craft fair, I use this to process credit card transactions. It was free (but you do pay CC fees) and is super easy to use.

shipping scale / again, great price. We also use this to weigh our coffee beans. A must for at home shipping.

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58 responses to “small business resources.”

  1. Kelsey Avatar

    Ha! I’m one of those people who bugged you about who you used for your stamp orders. You were SO helpful in your response (and QUICK too!) and I ended up ordering a handful of my own custom stamps to use in Project Life and other paper-y projects. They rock. You rock. This post rocks. Definitely tucking it away for future reference.
    Love that you’re so willing to share your “insider secrets”. There are so many people who won’t share their “trade secrets” for whatever reason (I think because they’re worried they’ll lose their audience or customer base if they give away all their info?), and I think it’s really great that you’re humble enough to share as much information as you do (both personally and professionally).

    Like

  2. Allison Rust Avatar

    This is awesome! Thanks Elise. [I can’t see Mailchimp without thinking of Serial now…]

    Like

  3. Jessica Cornman Avatar

    Thanks so much for taking the time to share this info even for those of us without a small business. Have a great day!

    Like

  4. Allie Avatar

    Thanks for sharing your insight! I discovered Sticker Giant this year as well, and I have to keep myself from ordering huge rolls of stickers for random things…. they are just SO MUCH FUN.

    Like

  5. jennie Avatar

    When I started listening to Serial, and I heard the Mail Chimp ad, I was like, hmmmm, Elise uses them. I think you had mentioned it in a previous post, and the name stuck with me. 🙂

    Like

  6. Hannah B. Avatar
    Hannah B.

    Mail… kimp?
    😉 me too Allison, me too.
    And Elise – this post is so useful! Thanks!

    Like

  7. Sarah Homan Avatar

    It’s like you were reading my mind when you wrote this post. I’ll be referring back to this content often.

    Like

  8. Anna Avatar

    #mailkimp
    And lol at the “totally” quip in your podcast blurb. It never really jumped out at me on the podcast but reading it here, I can totally hear it in your voice. 🙂

    Like

  9. Jennifer C Avatar

    LOL “totally”…I will be honest and admit that I stopped listening to your podcasts for this reason. I never really complained so there must have been others…. But I might have to give them a try again. Thanks for the heads up.

    Like

  10. Anna Avatar

    And an unrelated question- do you use the Canon printer you linked for documents as well as photos? I don’t have a printer and would love a good general one that also prints great photos.

    Like

  11. Emily Avatar
    Emily

    LOL about the “totally.” 🙂 🙂 🙂

    Like

  12. monica/onceuponahive Avatar

    Appreciate all your links and small business insight. It is always so very very helpful! I recently ordered from Overnight Prints using your link and they were great. Love the quality!

    Like

  13. Amorette Avatar
    Amorette

    This is great – thank you so much!!!! I know you’ve said before, and it’s not a small business resource, but can you post here the photo paper you use? I know you print most of them (or all) yourself for project life. I bought it once, loved it and can’t remember now. THANK YOU!!! You are my absolute favorite blog, creative person, mom of all time. Thank you thank you!

    Like

  14. Amy T Schubert Avatar

    Girl, seriously, feel free to pick my brain any time about how you can use your newsletter better.
    It’s one of your best best business assets.
    Can’t wait to check out the rest of these links too!

    Like

  15. Elise Avatar

    I was thisclose to typing “I use mail kimp” 😉

    Like

  16. Elise Avatar

    Yes, I print everything from shipping labels to photos on it. 🙂

    Like

  17. Elise Avatar

    Lol, that’s too bad! I did get a review that called my attention to it. It’s a nervous tic and I think something I do to make the guest feel like I support them. 🙂

    Like

  18. Elise Avatar

    Especially because I’ve noticed when it’s just me talking I don’t say it at all! 🙂

    Like

  19. Elise Avatar

    I used to use office depot brand professional semi gloss and it’s great. Canon sent me the pro lustre paper and that’s very similar. I love it too.

    Like

  20. Elise Avatar

    Will do! Let’s record the call for a bonus podcast episode!

    Like

  21. Anna Avatar

    Awesome, thanks!

    Like

  22. Jen S. Avatar
    Jen S.

    Elise,
    You are an inspiration!
    My late-uncle was an artist and left me some nice illustrations that he made. I would like to have them scanned and reproduced to share with his friends. Can you share which San Diego printer made your giclée prints? I live here, and this could be a great resource for me.

    Like

  23. andrea Avatar

    no way! $25 for 250 padded envelopes!? This is like nothing compared to what I pay here in Switzerland. 5 padded envelopes for like $2.50.
    I started to use simonstamp.com a few months ago and it’s so cool to create some custom stamps.
    Screenflow will be my next huge purchase for my blog. ($100 might not be that much for some people, but my blog doesn’t make money so for me $100 is a lot) I really want to share more how-to videos and screen flow looks interesting.
    This is such a great post. Thanks. And as others mentioned, I love that you share your sources.

    Like

  24. andrea Avatar

    can’t wait to listen to that episode!

    Like

  25. Caroline Avatar

    Such a useful post! I will definitely be using a bunch of these, I am always looking for small business resources that fit into my budget! I also use the Square card reader and it is one of my favorite business tools, it is simple and quick! I will definitely be looking into those Canon printers, mine just recently died so I am in the market. Wonderful post!
    Caroline
    http://www.calijae.com

    Like

  26. Raquel Avatar
    Raquel

    Thanks for sharing! I pinned it for future reference. 🙂

    Like

  27. Elise Avatar

    Yes, chrome digital in little Italy. They are expensive but outstanding!

    Like

  28. Brittany Avatar

    Thank you SO much for this! This is super helpful.

    Like

  29. Kerrie Avatar

    I really love how transparent and forthcoming you are. I think it’s the number 1 top reason that you are the only blog I’ve stuck with year after year. Always keepin’ it real.

    Like

  30. Allie Avatar

    CANNOT WAIT to listen to that episode.

    Like

  31. Leona Lane Avatar

    Thanks so much for this Elise!! Totally valuable resource. Saving it for projects coming up!

    Like

  32. Ashley Kirnan Avatar

    How kind and classy of you to share! 🙂

    Like

  33. casie Avatar
    casie

    I don’t have a business but I still love all your behind the business posts!
    And the “totally” comment count – hilarious!!!! My go to saying is awesome! Rock on 90s kids!

    Like

  34. Trang's corner Avatar

    Thanks so much for this Elise!! Such a cool post! Love this post!
    Love from http://www.trangscorner.com – a lifestyle, cooking, fashion blog

    Like

  35. Johanna Avatar

    Probably not quite small-business-y, but which new computer model did you get?

    Like

  36. Chrisy@GoodNorthCoastLife Avatar

    Just wanted to give you a high five for your openness and ability to not take yourself too seriously about “totally”.
    I do a lot of public speaking and it is extremely hard to firstly identity your own tics and then try to address them. If you listen, most people have something going on. We’re all work in progress.
    For what it’s worth I really enjoy the conversational tone of your podcasts 🙂

    Like

  37. Christian Boo Avatar

    Just a quick thank you for all the sharing. 🙂

    Like

  38. AnneMarie Avatar
    AnneMarie

    Thank you thank you thank you for this post! You are rad!

    Like

  39. jenn shurkus Avatar

    bookmarking this!! thank you so much for sharing elise!

    Like

  40. Trang's corner Avatar

    How inspirational this post is! Such a cool post!
    Love from http://www.trangscorner.com

    Like

  41. Kenzie Avatar

    Perfect timing! Thanks for sharing all your tips & tricks!

    Like

  42. Jordan Avatar
    Jordan

    Hi Elise! Thank you so much for your insight! I actually used Simon Stamps recently for a custom stamp and LOVED them!! Super quick turn around time too!!
    I noticed in one picture you have masking tape. Is that just tape you stamped or did/have you ordered personalized masking/washi tape?
    Thanks!

    Like

  43. TaraMcK Avatar
  44. Erin Avatar

    Great post! It’s amazing how many programs and resources you need to use in order to keep the ship floating. I never realized how much it took. One other program I’d love to know what you yse is photo editing/making graphic collages (like example your monthly things you love that you used to do)!
    xoxo

    Like

  45. Jen S. Avatar
    Jen S.

    Thanks so much! They used to do all of my color slide work back in day!
    I love Little Italy!I just wish parking were easier!

    Like

  46. Edan Avatar
    Edan

    This is amazing. I randomly came across your site via pinterest when searching for creative business stickers for my plumbing company. I doubt you thought a plumber would ever visit your site, yet here I am. Thank you so much for the helpful and informative details about the items you use in your business!

    Like

  47. Kristi Avatar

    Great Resource! I clicked on the link from Pinterest because of the roll of stickers…Will be checking out that resource for my packaging! Thank you for sharing!!

    Like

  48. D Avatar

    Sell, Share, Promote or Buy Anything – Free Advertising
    http://www.boomeez.com/

    Like

  49. D Avatar

    Thank you for putting this here and sharing
    very informative
    Michelle
    Check out Excellent Printing For Best Prices, Great Service & Quality
    http://excellentprinting.co.uk/

    Like

  50. Julie Campbell Avatar
    Julie Campbell

    Thanks so much for sharing! I’m looking for a good source for large boxes. Do you have any recommendations?

    Like

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