When you’re excited to start selling, it’s tempting to set a price and jump right in. But pricing is more than just covering costs—it’s about recognizing the value of your time, skill, and creativity. A well-thought-out price not only ensures you make a profit but also helps attract the right customers who appreciate your work.
Factor in Your Labour
Handmade products take time. Your pricing should reflect that. If you wouldn’t work for $5 an hour at a job, don’t pay yourself that in your business. Even if you’re just starting, set a fair hourly rate and stick to it.
Source Smart
Your material costs directly impact your profit. Shop around. Bulk buying, wholesale suppliers, and even local discounts can help lower your costs without sacrificing quality.
Research the Market
Check out similar products. Are you pricing way below the competition? That’s a red flag. Customers often associate low prices with lower quality. Price too high without a strategy, and you might struggle to sell. Find the sweet spot by balancing fair pay with competitive rates.
Hidden Costs Add Up
Packaging, transaction fees, market stall fees, website costs—it all eats into your profit. Factor these in so you’re not losing money on every sale.
Pricing isn’t just numbers; it’s psychology. A well-calculated price tells customers your work is worth it. Cheap prices can make people doubt the quality, while a reasonable, professional price boosts trust.
Before you jump into selling, take a moment to check your pricing. Starting off strong makes things much easier than trying to raise prices later! Not quite sure if you’ve nailed it? No worries—our free pricing checklist below will help you get on the right track.
Pricing Checklist
Your product pricing doesn’t have to be stressful! Use this checklist to estimate your costs, set a fair price, and make sure you’re actually making money (without overcomplicating things).
1. Start with Your Costs
- Make a best guess of how much each product costs to make. (It doesn’t have to be exact!)
- Estimate the cost per unit—break down bulk purchases to get a rough idea.
- Don’t forget packaging, shipping materials, and small extras like thank-you notes!
- Are there hidden costs? (Website fees, transaction fees, market stall fees—sneaky but important.)
2. Pay Yourself!
- How long does it take to make your product? Take an educated guess if needed!
- What would you like to earn per hour? (Be fair to yourself!)
- Multiply your time per product by your hourly rate—this is part of your pricing, not just “extra money”.
3. Do a Little Market Research
- Browse online or at markets: What are similar products selling for?
- Are you underpricing? (Low prices can make people question quality!)
- Are you overpricing? (Check what your target audience is willing to pay.)
- Decide where you fit: Budget-friendly, mid-range, or premium?
4. Factor in the “Extras”
- Overhead costs (even small ones) add up:
- Tools & materials that last a long time (kiln, molds, cutters, etc.).
- Monthly website, Etsy, or Shopify fees.
- Advertising or craft fair costs.
- It doesn’t have to be perfect! Just make a rough estimate so you don’t miss anything.
5. Give Yourself Some Profit Wiggle Room
- Once you’ve covered costs, add extra for profit!
- Try multiplying your cost by 2 or 3 and see how it feels—does that price still make sense?
- Experiment! Pricing is flexible—you can tweak it later.
6. Does It Feel Right?
- Would you pay this price for your product?
- Does it reflect the time, skill, and creativity you put into it?
- If you feel weird about your price, is it too low or too high?
7. Test, Adjust, and Keep It Fun!
- Try different pricing for different products—see what works best!
- Keep an eye on what’s selling and what’s not.
- If things aren’t selling, ask yourself: Is it pricing, or is it visibility/marketing?
- Do people understand the value? (Sometimes a better description helps more than a lower price!)
Pricing isn’t an exact science—it’s about testing, adjusting, and finding what works for YOU.
Want an Easier Way to Price Your Handmade Products?
My Interactive Pricing Spreadsheet is now available for downlaod!.