Key takeaways
- Name and measure supplies consistently.
- Create recipes for repeatable products before scaling listings.
- Decide how orders move from accepted to shipped.
Set up the supply catalog
- Use clear names such as 20 oz stainless tumbler instead of blank.
- Choose one recipe unit for each material.
- Record current usable quantity, reorder threshold, and supplier link.
- Enter package price and amount received to calculate unit cost.
- Archive discontinued supplies instead of breaking old order history.
Create the first product recipes
Start with the products sold most often or the ones most likely to cause a shortage. Add the base materials, packaging, SKU, variants, and standard checklist. A recipe does not need to document every creative decision; it should capture what must be repeatable.
Choose an order numbering rule
Keep external marketplace IDs and generate a separate internal number by source, such as MAN-0001, ETS-0001, or SHOP-0001. This prevents similar numbers from different channels from colliding and keeps manual orders traceable.
Define the order states
- Accepted
The order and customization details are captured.
- Ready or blocked
Materials and customer decisions determine whether production can start.
- In production
Item-level checklist work is underway.
- Finished
Production is complete and inventory is deducted once.
- Shipped or closed
Carrier and tracking details are recorded, or the order is canceled with history preserved.
Start simple, but preserve history
You can begin with a spreadsheet, a notebook, or MakerBatch. Whatever tool you choose, avoid deleting old products or overwriting historical costs. A clean history becomes valuable when you need to explain inventory, price a repeat order, or understand which products are actually profitable.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need inventory software before my first sale?
Not necessarily. A consistent spreadsheet can be enough at very low volume. Move to a connected system when recipes, variants, multiple sales channels, or open-order shortages make the spreadsheet difficult to trust.
What should I track first?
Start with critical materials that can stop production, best-selling product recipes, and every accepted order with a ship-by date. Add lower-risk supplies as the routine becomes established.
How this guide was created
This guide was written by the MakerBatch editorial team from the production, inventory, costing, and fulfillment workflows built for handmade and made-to-order sellers. It is educational information, not legal, tax, or financial advice. We update guides when the underlying workflow or product changes materially.