Rug Tufting: The Studio Owner's Startup Manual

​​What's in the 8-part manual?

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​Part One: getting started

- Tufting suppliers

- Order checklist: equipment

- Order checklist: supplies

- Equipment maintenance 

- Legalities: insurance, safety 

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​Part Two: setting up

- Studio set up: space requirements, storage area

- Table(s) for tufting and post-tufting work

- Power source

- Studio setup checklist

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​​​Part Three: planning workshops

- Determining rug sizes and pricing (getting started with a standard, small size; then progressing to larger sizes/more detail)

- Options: customers send in a design (staff sketch), customer traces their own design, use a studio pre-sketched illustration

- How to run a three-hour workshop: intro, trial tufting, work on their own creation, finishing

- Scheduling sessions for the month

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​Part Four: workshop registration

- Information to collect from customers

- Design submission ahead of time or bring in a design

- Visual ideas for designs and what they can and cannot create 

- Fine print: food/drink, attire, expectations for completing a rug, no shows, tardiness, transferring workshop ticket

- Auto reply after registration is complete with all workshop info and fine print

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Part Five: teaching a workshop

- Introduction

- first thirty minutes: getting everyone started

- during tufting: managing customers varying skill levels

- last thirty minutes: gluing, backing, trimming and shaving

- sending the finished piece home

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Part six: staff training

- How to promote rug tufting

- Workshop setup and cleanup

- How to teach a workshop

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​Part seven:  marketing and displays

- Planning the "grand "opening" for the new space

- Is there a name for the studio's new experience? (ie: The Art Box's Comfy Corner)

- In-studio and window displays to sell workshops

- Seasonal planning: selling seasonal designs, experiences and gift cards

- Selling workshops through social media, website, email marketing

- SEO and AI: keeping Google Business Page updated, website updated with keywords, area listing and backlinks 

- Gift ideas: selling gift cards and making rugs as gifts 

- Other marketing ideas through collaboration, testimonials, corporate events, customer videos/tags and pottery painting (!)

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Part eight:  additional income opportunities

- Memberships

- Selling display units (hangers, dowels, hooks)

- Tuft at home kits

- Walk-ins (with two-class experience)

- Advanced classes

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Part nine: reporting

- Run monthly income and expense reports

- Monthly supply checklist 

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How do I get started?

A: $250

Order the Complete Guide to Tufting in a studio: includes 10-page marketing plan, startup supply list, and access to private tufting FB group

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B: $350

Order the guide AND attend TCR's three-hour Tufting Masterclass at convention (Thurs, Sept 4, 9am-12pm); access to private tufting FB group and one year membership TCR (renew annually for $150;)

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C: $150

TCR members exclusive offer: TCR members receive the Guide, a seat at the three-hour startup Masterclass at convention (Thurs, Sept 4, 1pm-4pm) and access to private tufting FB. (Membership has always had many privileges!)

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