Florist Tools & Florist Supplies Buying Guide

Unlike many other occupations, becoming a florist doesn’t demand buying expensive tools or equipment, making it a great job to get into for those who have little start-up capital. Just a few basic florist tools are required that only costs a few bucks apiece. There are some specialized tools to make the job easier, but even then they don’t cost much, and many of these tools can be used for a long time if well maintained.

Florist supplies are somewhat different. Supplies, like tape, packaging bags and corsage pins will be used according to how much you sell, so you’re covering your costs when you sell them. If you’re going through a lot of supplies it means you’re doing good business!

The Florist Guide has compiled a list of common florist tools and supplies to give you an idea of how much you’ll need to spend to get started as a florist–some of which are essential to the job, some not. The tools and supplies listed here are based on average prices.

When you’re ready to buy, check out our comprehensive buying guide and reviews of the Best Flower Arrangement Tools and Supplies so you can quickly narrow down your choices to the best available options.

Florist Tools


  • Glue gun – $15
  • Styro cutter – $25
  • Stapler – $8
  • Wire cutter – $15
  • Multipurpose scissors – $5
  • Bunch cutter – $12
  • Florist scissors – $18
  • Thorn stripper – $8
  • Snips – $10
  • Pruners – $15
  • Ribbon shredders – $10
  • Floristry knife – $10

TOTAL COST: $151

Florist Supplies


  • Floral foam blocks (6-pack) – $15
  • Packaging bags (100-pack) – $15
  • Floral preservative (10 oz)- $8
  • Flower food (100-pack)- $12
  • Binding tape (5 rolls) – $15
  • Paddle wire (38 yards)- $4
  • Floral foil (10 yards)- $12
  • Aquatube (100-pack) – $15
  • Bouquet sleeves (50-pack) – $20
  • Moss (8 oz)- $8
  • Ribbon (100 yards) – $15
  • Flower frogs (each) – $10
  • Tissue paper (100 sheets) – $10
  • Spray paint (can)- $5
  • Floral clay (4 oz) – $4
  • Adhesive (8 oz) – $5
  • Corsage pins (144-pack) – $5
  • Corsage magnetic disks (20-pack) – $15
  • Cards (50-pack) – $8
  • Sales order pads (6-pack) – $20
  • Candle adhesive (2 oz) – $8
  • Zip ties (200-pack) – $10
  • Twine (300 feet) – $5

TOTAL COST: $294

Buying Guide to Florist Tools and Florist Supplies


close up of flowers in front of shop - florist tools and florist supplies buying guide

Now that you have a list of the most common tools florists use, let’s talk about how to make sure your start-up capital is spent wisely and well.

Research

First things first, you need to figure out what tools you need to get. You’re reading a guide on florist tools and supplies, which means you have a solid start on that research! If you’re in school for floral design, your teachers should be excellent resources for figuring out which tools and supplies you should pick up right away and which you can hold off on for now.

Talk to other florists and ask them what kinds of tools they use on a daily basis. What supplies do they go through most? Their answers might surprise you. There might be general-purpose supplies that are more cost-efficient or that they’ve found to work better. Or there might be a tool that’s not on our list that they wish they had been using since day one.

Think About Your Business Plan

And if you don’t have a business plan, think about developing one. The kind of business you run will ultimately determine what tools and supplies you need. Maybe you will never need to buy a single corsage pin.

Knowing your business plan will also tell you what tools you’re likely to use most and therefore what tools you should make a bigger investment in.

Think about what kind of business and what kind of clients you’re most likely to be involved with. Also think about what you want to be able to do. If you have the tools to do the job you want, you’ll be ready to jump at an opportunity to do that work when it comes up.

Ask Around

Once you know what you need and what you’re likely to use most, it’s time to find the best quality and value for your money. Go to gardening and trade shows and talk to tool and supply manufacturers directly about their products. Ask florists you know or whose work you admire what tools they love most and what tools they’d like to throw into a fire.

People understand trying to start a business on a budget and are usually happy to share their experiences so that you don’t make the same mistakes they did.

Know How Hard You Are on Your Things

Be honest about this. Do you take good care of your things? No. Wait. Would your mom/father/friends say you take good care of your things? As a florist, your tools are going to be exposed to lots of water, dirt, vegetable matter, even outdoor weather conditions, depending on your work.

Will your tools be cleaned, oiled and maintained at the end of a long day? Do you have the space to keep your supplies in the conditions specified by the manufacturer (like cool, dark places)? There are lots of florist tools and supplies on the market that can take a beating. If you’re fairly certain you’re going to administer one, make sure you buy something that’s designed for rough use.

Check out Warranties

For your larger purchases, or when you’re purchasing something you know you’ll use a lot, read up on the warranties the companies offer. One tool might seem more expensive on paper, but if it has an extended lifetime warranty, it’s much cheaper than something you have to replace every year.

Take your time to shop around the many local and online florist supply stores for the best quality products and lowest prices. It’s worth asking other florists (or if you’re still in school you can always ask your instructors) for specific recommendations. If you trust their opinion it can save you from having to experiment with all kinds of different products.

Feature image: magda18; Image 1: mrhayata

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