6 Manufacturing Mistakes to Avoid When Starting a Product-Based Business

Are you an artist or creative entrepreneur ready to start manufacturing your own products? Whether you're launching tea towels, stickers, or stationery, manufacturing can feel overwhelming—especially the first time around.

In this guide, I’ll walk through the most common manufacturing mistakes creatives make and how to avoid them. If you’re planning to start a product-based business or grow your existing one, this blog post is for you.

1. Launching a Product Before You Have an Audience or Sales Strategy

It’s tempting to jump into product manufacturing the minute you have a good idea. But without a sales plan or audience, you risk sitting on inventory you can’t move… total bummer!

What to Do Instead:

Start with a pre-order. This not only helps you gauge demand—it also gives you cash upfront to fund your first production run. Less risk. More clarity. Pre-orders are a great way to build excitement and test your market before placing a full order.

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2. Not Asking About Minimum Order Quantities (MOQs)

Many manufacturers require large minimum orders—but not all do.

What to Do Instead:

Ask about MOQs upfront. Be honest about your budget and production goals. I shock my students all the time when I tell them I order overseas tea towels with no minimums. You can start small and go global—you just need to know how to communicate with manufacturers.

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3. Only Calculating Unit Cost (and Ignoring COGS)

Cost per unit is just the beginning. If you’re not including shipping, packaging, and tariffs in your calculations, your pricing won’t be sustainable.

What to Do Instead:

Calculate your full Cost of Goods Sold (COGS):
Product cost + shipping + customs (tariffs) + packaging = real cost

This will help you price your products correctly—and keep your profit margins healthy.

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4. Skipping Product Samples

Skipping samples is one of the fastest ways to ruin your first launch. You need to know what you’re ordering—and how it feels, prints, and holds up in real life.

What to Do Instead:

Always order samples. This step can make or break your first product launch. You need to see the quality firsthand, check the packaging, and make sure everything aligns with your vision before you invest in a full production run.

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5. Communicating Poorly with Manufacturers

Vague or unclear communication can lead to incorrect product specs, expensive mistakes, and a whole lot of back-and-forth.

What to Do Instead:

Use clear bullet points, reference images, and exact measurements when messaging manufacturers. Hand drawn images can go a long way here, or screen shots of examples of what you are looking for.

👉 Want help? Download my free list: 5 Questions to Ask Any Overseas Manufacturer. It’s beginner-friendly and will help you sound confident—even if you’re new to the process.

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6. Underestimating the Timeline for Manufacturing a Product

Manufacturing takes time—and so does everything else that comes after it.

What to Do Instead:

Build a realistic timeline. Give yourself extra buffer time for:

• Sampling

• Final production

• Shipping delays

• Product photography

• Packaging

• Writing emails & setting up your product launch

The more cushion you build into your timeline, the smoother your launch will be.

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Want More Tips for Creative Product-Based Businesses?

If you’re just getting started with manufacturing your own products, this is your sign to slow down and plan smart.

Avoiding these 6 mistakes can save you time, money, and a whole lot of regret.

Want more help? Check out my new Book: Custom Products Made Easy: A Step-by-Step Guide for Artists and Makers