The Nail Files/ May 2, 2025May 1, 2025

Planning My First Press-On Nail Launch: Behind the Scenes

This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission if you shop through them — at no extra cost to you.

Launching your first product is exciting, nerve-wracking, and honestly… kind of messy. In this post, I’m taking you behind the scenes of how I’m preparing for my first ever press-on nail collection — with all the real talk, tool setup, design decisions, and business planning that goes into it.

Okay, real talk.

I wanted to launch my first press-on nail collection in June — my birthday month! But here’s the truth: I haven’t even started designing yet. I got super overwhelmed last week and had to take a small break. That break helped, and now I’m feeling clearer and more ready to go.

Now, one big question I’m still wrestling with is where to sell: Etsy or my own website? Etsy is SEO-friendly and easy to set up, but I also love the idea of having a branded site using Shopify or WordPress. May is here, and I need to make a decision soon.

First Sample + Summer Design Vibes

I made a completely random press-on set the other night — no plan, just vibes — and it turned out okay, but I definitely feel rusty. I need to get back into design mode soon.

For the launch, I’m thinking of creating a small summer-themed collection — maybe fruity, floral, neon? Let me know in the comments what you love to wear for summer!

My Current Nail Studio Setup

My nail space has been evolving. I’ve got my cabinet and pegboard from IKEA set up, and I’m keeping my desk functional while I figure out the best workflow. Here are some of my go-to tools:

Lighting setup with adjustable temperature (cool/warm/mix)
Nail holder stands from Amazon (linked below)
Packaging materials and prep tools I bought a while back
Thermal printer + shipping labels
Pegboard setup with tools and polish
Drawers full of press-on nails, polish, and accessories

It’s not perfect yet, but I’m getting into a flow.

How I’m Planning My First Product Launch

This is my first launch ever, so I’ve been doing a ton of research on how to make it as smooth (and simple) as possible. Here’s what I’ve learned and what I’m applying:

1. Build Excitement Early

I’m trying to post more consistently on social (even if I’m not the best at it). Sharing behind-the-scenes videos and updates like this is part of that plan.

2. Keep the Collection Small

I’ll launch with 3–5 designs. I’m planning to make one complete set per design in my own size for product photos, then make the rest to order. That way I can batch-produce and avoid leftover stock.

3. Use a Limited Sale Window

I’m considering short “drops” — where the shop is only open for a few days. Once I hit the order cap, I’ll mark sets as sold out so I can focus on fulfilling and prepping the next launch.

4. Simple, Clean Packaging

I’m starting with what I already have. I’ll focus on clean, quality presentation, and upgrade my packaging later.

5. Skip Testing, Collect Feedback Later

Instead of organizing testers right now, I’m planning to include a short feedback form post-purchase. That way I can learn and improve without delaying the launch.

My To-Do List (aka Keeping It Together)

Here’s what I’m working on next:

Finalize 3–5 summer-inspired set designs (maybe one for my birthday)
Decide between Etsy vs. a standalone site
Set up Canada-only shipping to start (international can come later)
Create my Home-Based Nail Studio Startup Checklist — my first digital product to help others launch their own nail biz

I’ll be vlogging and documenting everything along the way. It’s already been a journey — and I haven’t even launched yet!

Tools I Use & Recommend (Affiliate Picks)

These are the exact tools I use in my setup and prep process. I’ve added affiliate links below so you can shop them easily — I only recommend what I actually use:

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them — at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting That Pretty Nail.

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