Ok y’all this is long, but worth the info.
Remember sharing info with each other is how we grow together! There’s no competition, We want everyone to grow … as Schitts By Seven told me Rising Tides Lifts All Boats.
I have been printing these lighter sleeves since 2022 and have been talking to quite a few people you create with them since way back. I’ve also been checking out local spots that sell or would be interested in selling custom lighters and sleeves, and here’s what I learned. (sneak side note I also asked about rolling trays coming soon in multiple designs in acrylic… the smoke shops all said yes.. duh and a few liquor stores. They said they offer big shop places but would love to support local creators!)
-Most shops start with a small batch to test interest. If it works, they either buy directly to resell or work on a commission per sale.
-Shops recommend creators provide plenty of business cards, a scannable sign, and even a design suggestion sheet.
-Restocking is usually the creator’s responsibility, though some shops will call when they’re running low.
-A few awesome stores say they do promote them if someone is purchasing a lighter or is browsing them telling customers they are handmade by local artists and worth their money as they are unique and reusable.
-A couple said shops by me said people often by partner themed sleeves like matching but not lol and creators offer a small discount for multiples in a set as such. Doesn’t mean you have to because remember just because its multiples doesn’t mean the work is less.
*quite a bit of places did express that some people they had "contracts" with were selling a good amount, but stopped replenishing supplies and they removed their info from their display :( - try to communicate with shops if you are going on a break so they won't remove you pics/cards etc, but can tell people to email you or give them a return date. Majority of their customers are frequent fliers and can always stay updated.
Cost range (KNOW HOW TO PRICE YOUR OWN ITEMS THOUGH – This is just my info from research in my area and from the areas that some people I know have sold theirs):
$8-$10 for vinyl wraps/waterslide, etc with coat of resin/epoxy
$12-25 for resin & glass rhinestones or with charms etc for ones with clay or more specific themed
Remember 3d printed items are plastic so you cannot use extreme heat, but you can still use out of the box things to get creative. I have someone who uses clay. She made a form of the lighter sleeve out of aluminum foil and reuses it to sculp and bake her clay pieces or design the entire sleeve, bakes, then glues pieces on. She said most of the time she brushes on epoxy or uv resin and cures a very light coating. I also had someone dotting theirs, painting, etc.
Plus a lot of our small business friends here have rhinestone templates for lighter sleeves! On my site you can browse who does templates. https://www.seery-us.com/pages/small-businesses-i-love
Try this with other items you offer as well. Pens, Mini stash tumblers, Keychains etc!
Here’s the list….finally lol:
Gas stations/Convenience stores
Independently owned supermarkets & grocery stores
Smoke & Dispensary shops/tobacco shops/cigar lounges
Liquor stores
Gift shops/Souvenir stores
Skate/surf/streetwear shops
Comic book/Fan Base stores (don’t know how to describe in one word lol)
Mall kiosks that offer accessories like keychains, cell cases etc.
Small Business Hardware stores
Collector stores
ALWAYS MENTION YOUR A LOCAL ARTIST/CREATOR & WOULD LOVE THEIR SUPPORT