Hey there sea changers, and welcome back to my series of MLM reviews. Today we are going to a take look at a product category not usually associated with these types of programs with my Stampin Up! MLM Review. What do they sell? Stampin Up! sell arts and crafts type products which has proven to be extremely lucrative within online stores and affiliate marketing but, as mentioned, not usually thought of when it comes to MLM.
So, is Stampin Up an MLM worth looking into? Let's have a look and see…

What is MLM?
Multi-level marketing (MLM) programs are the traditional mainstay of the ‘party plan' world of products such as Tupperware, Mary Kay and Amway etc. and, of course within the beauty/cosmetics, supplements and essential oils markets. And although not prominent within the arts and crafts industry, MLMs have become more popular in recent times – mainly due to the fact that much of the sales and marketing is now being managed online – leading companies in other niches starting to get in on the action.
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The ‘multi level' aspects of MLM come from its hierarchical nature in which you make commissions based not only on those that you sell to, but also the sales of those whom you ‘sign' into membership arrangements as well.
In short, the process works as follows:
- You join the program, either via referral from another person (known as your up line) or directly through their website.
- You promote the products of the company via parties, workshops or online.
- As you make sales, you offer incentives to your customers to sign up as a member of the program (there are different names for this but they all mean the same thing).
- That new member is then placed ‘underneath' you in a hierarchical arrangement (known as your down line).
- You, and a number of levels of your up line, then gain extra commissions for everything they sell as well.
- If they manage to refer their customers into memberships, they also become a member of your down line allowing you to make up line commissions as well.
The number of levels of your up and down lines will vary depending on the program you have joined. Commission rates will also change as your down line grows or contracts and many will also offer other incentives such as total company sales percentages and/or access to membership prizes as your own business grows.
Who are Stampin Up?

Founded in 1988, Stampin Up! call themselves a paper craft company with a drive to “make a positive difference in people’s lives”. In 2016, a new CEO was appointed (the daughter of one of the founders, Shelli Gardner) who has grown the company to where it is today – “an inclusive, global community made up of independent demonstrators and their customers”.
Stampin Up! is based in Riverton, UT in the United States with offices in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, UK, France, Germany, Netherlands, Austria and Japan.
Stampin Up MLM – What do they Sell?
As mentioned, the Stampin Up MLM program works within the paper crafts segment of the Arts and Crafts niche with a good range of products including:
- Cut and Emboss machines
- Stamp blocks
- Inks and colouring
- Stamps and stamp sets
- Paper, cards and envelopes
- Adhesives
- Die-Cutting
- Embellishments and Ribbon
- Embossing kits
- Logo merchandise
- Punches
- Scrapbooking products
- Tools and Storage

MLM Program outline
The Stampin Up! MLM program calls their members ‘Demonstrators' who are part of a program that appears driven by the old party plan model rather than online sales processes. On first look, the common retail and downline commission structure looks to be quite straight forward however without a number of the general bonus options included in many other MLM programs. I couldn't find their compensation plan directly on their website however it did appear on a simple online search so here are the basics as I have found them…
Base Commission rate: 20% to 25% dependent upon rank
Down line commission rates: 3 – 6.5% to 3 levels (level 1 down line is 3%)
Minimum monthly spend to qualify for commissions
To qualify for downline commissions, Demonstrators are required to meet personal sales targets of at least 300 CSV per calendar quarter. This can be made of personal or customer sales. Base 20% sales commissions however can be earned without the need to meet or maintain sales targets.
Note: New Demonstrators are not required hit the 300 CSV target in their first Quarter – as long as they can reach it over the course of their first 2 Quarters combined.
Payment terms: Monthly.
Application required?: Yes, Application form on website.
Purchase requirements to join: Yes
New Demonstrators are required to purchase a Starter kit at a cost of $99 which includes $125 worth of products and business supplies needed to get started. Ongoing purchases are not mandatory however it is assumed that further samples for use within hosted parties or pop up events will be required.
Marketing materials provided: As per starter kit.
Within most MLM programs, rankings and commissions are determined by the total Commissional Service Volume (CSV) generated by the Demonstrator and their down line within a calendar month with points assigned to each product. These point allocations can range from 50 to 100% of the retail price of each product (before tax and shipping) and vary from item to item and currency of sale.
In the case of the Stampin Up! MLM program, CSV is calculated on 100% of the USD sales dollar amount meaning commissions are based on around 100% of the sales price.
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How can I get paid?
Ok, so from what I can garner from the compensation plan, there are 6 ways in which Demonstrators can make money when they promote and sell Stampin Up! products. These are fairly straight forward and outlined as follows:
1. Instant and Deferred Income
These are the base commissions earned by the general day to day retail sales that Demonstrators can generate. There are two tiers of personal commissions based on sale volume as follows:

Instant income is received instantly when any order with commissionable product is entered or deferred if a customer uses a credit card.
To qualify for the 25% commissions, Demonstrators are required to meet a minimum sales target of 1800CSV or above (which qualifies them at Bronze elite rank). For the base 20% rate however, no minimum sales targets apply.
2. Volume Rebates
Volume Rebates are designed to reward Demonstrators for exceeding sales targets each month via extra commissions as follows:

3. Team Commissions
Team Commissions are Stampin Up's version of the traditional unilevel commission structures prevalent within many MLM programs. Within the Stampin Up! MLM program, commissions are paid to 3 levels based on the personal sales, direct demonstrator count and personal and direct level one sales of the Demonstrator as follows:

4. Performance Bonus
The Performance Bonus is paid in CSV (i.e. a non cash bonus) to Demonstrators who are able to achieve pre-set targets in both sales and recruitment as well as nurturing new recruits to higher ranks. CSV bonus allocations are paid as follows:

5. Stampin' Rewards
Stampin’ Rewards encourage people to host events and place large orders. Rewards are paid to the host as a ‘discount' on further product purchases as follows:

Demonstrators are encouraged to utilise these credits towards the purchase of a Starter Kit as a recruiting incentive .
6. Flex Account Earning
Flex Account Earning works in a similar fashion to the Performance Bonus above where Demonstrators are assigned ‘Flex Points' based on selling, recruiting, leading and tenure. Flex points can be redeemed as product credits, catalogues or
incentive trips and are earned as follows:

Ranking structure
Stampin Up!, as with most MLM programs, uses ranking structures on which to base commission payments and other bonuses upon. Rankings for the Stampin Up! MLM program are as follows (note personal and team sales qualification targets as well):

Again, as is common with almost all MLM programs, rank progression is determined by both the number of members within the Demonstrator's down line, and the total sales made by those members per month. Ranks can rise and fall based on the ability (or dis-ability) to reach the required member and sales targets.
What is good about it?
So, after a good look around the site and looking at all the options I could find, I do like the following:
- Commission rates for entry level sales are good.
- Program is simple and easy to follow.
- Commissions can be earned without the need to meet sales targets
What is no so good about it?
There are also some things to be aware of including:
- There are some joining costs.
- Whilst not mandatory, ongoing demonstration purchases may be are required.
- There is not the full range of bonus options available within many other MLM programs.
How much can you make?
Stampin Up! does not provide an income disclosure statement on its website however as with most MLM programs, it has to be assumed from the compensation plan that the percentage of members making the upper rank levels – and hence earning a living – is very low (usually less than 1%).

Stampin Up! MLM Review: My final thoughts
Look, MLM is not an easy platform to make money in and there is not much that I have seen here to put this program above the many others I have seen. However, the program is pretty straight forward with common commission arrangements so if you are an absolute arts and crafts nut with a large customer list at your disposal and the ability to generate good sales via hosted demonstrations, then the 20 – 25% base commission rates might just appeal here.
Once you have joined, there are not the usual financial pressures of needing to make minimum personal purchases in order to qualify for commissions as long as you can make them within your down line. Although from what I can see, I think if you are going to succeed within this MLM program, you will need to have a good array of demonstration stock on hand. You may also need to bump up your personal purchase quota if customer sales alone are not enough for you to qualify for commissions and/or discounts within a particular month.
I was unable to locate any negative reviews in terms of non-payment etc. although there were some negative comments (not as many as most others however) about the quality of customer service and the MLM program itself – although it was not really anything that is uncommon in regards to MLM programs or products within this niche.
Conclusion
So there you have it, my honest review and appraisal of the Stampin Up! MLM program. I hope it has been of assistance but as usual, if you have any questions or experience with this program please do not hesitate to reach out by commenting below – especially if any of my information is inaccurate.
Are there any other programs you have been looking at but want to know more about? If so, please comment below and I will do my best to get some details for you.
Do you want further assistance with any of the above or need help to build your own arts and crafts based website?
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Until next time
Have fun
Paul
Note: If you make a purchase from this page, there is a very good chance that I make a commission from it – these commissions do not increase your sale price.
Stampin Up! MLM Program
$99 +Pros
- Commission rates for entry level sales are good.
- Program is simple and easy to follow.
- Commissions can be earned without the need to meet sales targets
Cons
- There are some joining costs.
- Whilst not mandatory, ongoing demonstration purchases may be are required.
- There is not the full range of bonus options available within many other MLM programs.
You state in this article that the MONTHLY SALES TARGET is 300CSV. This is INCORRECT. the 300CSV target is a QUARTERLY SALES TARGET (Jan to March, April to June etc). It is also worth mentioning that when you join you are not required hit that target in your first Quarter, you simply have to hit 300 CSV over the course of your first 2 Quarters combined, so if you join in January, you have until the end of June to hit 300 CSV.
Hey Liz
Thanks for the update – appreciated
Will update the post
Paul
The contract requirements are very much outside the norm.
Including limiting activities within the entire space of arts and crafts, preventing a spouse from from business activities which might conflict with SU current or future products. SU also can at its discretion claim any facets of demonstration or methods or works created by a demonstrator or their spouse as their own.
SU can also limit your business investments, participation and ability to consult within the arts crafts industry including working with similar companies it may deem competition or providers of competitive or similar products for 12 mos after separation.
They also declare all email lists and contacts as their own and prevent you from contacting those contacts for any reasons they see fitting within their business interests. Basically they own you and can cannibalize any part of other business activities that they see fit.
They are very litigious aggressive and have claimed copyright on materials that the courts consider questionable as to being copyrightable.
Understanding they have a business and brand to protect is no excuse for the overbearing nature of their contract.
Wow – thanks so much for the update – good to know.
Paul