Are all your products made overseas?
I am about to spill the beans!
The inquisitive minds often ask, "Where do you get your products manufactured?" I've always been fascinated with peeping behind the business scenes of others, so it's time you take a glimpse into mine.
The Beginning: The Washi Tape Adventure
My entrepreneurial journey kicked off with washi tape. Navigating overseas manufacturing was akin to diving deep into uncharted waters. With zero knowledge about the processes or expectations, I solely banked on my undying passion and a sprinkle of hope. While the intricacies of manufacturing washi tape have evolved over the years, the heart of its production remains overseas. For the curious ones, delve deeper into my washi tape manufacturing journey here.
The American Journey: Cards and Stickers
Post washi tape, greeting cards and stickers made their grand entry. Proudly made in the USA, I trust Printswell Fullfillment for my greeting cards. Their unmatched quality paired with awesome customer service makes them stand out. As for the stickers, StickerMule is my go-to. The vinyl's robustness, combined with their frequent sales, is hard to resist. Need a sweet deal? Get $10 off your order here. (They have a great sales newsletter too!)
Gift tags, another gem in my line, are crafted meticulously by Printswell Fulfillment too.
Tea Towels: A Tale of Transformation
The narrative of my tea towels began at home, with my mother sewing designs printed via Spoonflower. However, recognizing the limitations of scaling this model, my gaze shifted overseas again. The quest was for hem-to-hem tea towels, ensuring my design covers every inch and not just a confined space like screen prints. A diligent search led me to some exceptional digital printers abroad, and since then, there's been no looking back.
The Wonder of Wrapping Paper
After the tea towels, came the delightful wrapping paper. Curious about my process? Here's an in-depth post about it. For every sheet of my wrapping paper, I rely on the consistent quality and speed of StationeryHQ.
While my line covers an expansive range, I've also dabbled in a handful of Print-On-Demand (POD) products like mugs via Printful. With around 165 SKUs under my belt, a significant 60% of my inventory, including the massive washi tape collection of around 70 SKUs, is sourced from overseas.
I genuinely hope this deep dive provides clarity and direction for those seeking insights into product sourcing. Every product has its unique story, and it's been an exciting journey to piece it all together!
*Full transparency, when I share $10 with you via StickerMule, they share $10 with me.