Every professional has a set of tools that they use on a regular basis in their work. Below, I wanted to share a few of mine that are essential to my business in Da Goodie Shop.
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Cutting Table: (Nope not the professional kind, the DIY kind) This is something that is useful when cutting my large rolls of vinyl. It was just a small table that I purchased at Walmart for like $20 or less and then I got a yardstick and drew measurements on it with a permanent marker and I used the center-fold as my starting point so that I can easily cut straight and even.
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Rotary Cutter: This is what I use all the time along with my cutting table for cutting vinyl and sometimes even fabric. Personally, it works better than scissors for me.
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Dental Tools (Pickers): (Yep, the ones you clean your teeth with). I use these instead of the Cricut weeder for weeding my vinyl projects.
- First, because they are sharper and stay sharper longer
- Secondly, I can get like 5 of them on eBay and/or Amazon for the price of 1 Cricut weeder.
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Scissors (always needed and several pairs because I lose them often)
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Squeegee: Used mainly when working with oracal on cups and other hard castrates to help smooth out bubbles. Can also be used when screen printing using vinyl as well.
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Paper Trimmer/Cutter: I use this to cut vinyl and paper.
- Xacto Knife
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Hole Punchers (a variety of sizing and shapes): I love to use these to make use of my scraps glitter vinyl. Then, later on, I can use all the fun shapes and colors of vinyl to add confetti or other quick accents to some of my products.
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Tee Square It: To line up designs on my shirts, tote bags, and other garments
- Rulers
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Hair Dryer: Works great for when I am working with oracal adhesive vinyl and am having difficulty getting rid of air bubbles.
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Craft Tweezers: Used for picking up small pieces when working on delicate projects
- Glue Gun/stand
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Sticker Maker: Sometimes, I am lazy or cheap so I print out a sheet of paper with my logo on and have my kids cut them out and run them through the sticker maker, and wala, I have logo stickers to add to my products.
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Tape Dispenser: Scotch tape, heat tape, clear tape, etc.
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TOOL BELT OR HALF APRON: Don’t have one but am about to either purchase one or make one
