The Maker's Guide to Pricing Your Work Fairly

Pricing is one of the hardest things for makers to get right, and the most common mistake is pricing too low. The reasons are understandable — fear of rejection, imposter syndrome, the desire to be accessible — but the consequences are real. Underpriced work devalues the entire category, makes it harder for other makers to charge fair prices, and often leads to burnout when the math doesn't add up.

Start with your actual costs. Materials, tools, packaging, shipping, market fees, and the time you spend on administration and marketing all count. If you're selling at a market, factor in the vendor fee, transportation, and setup time. If you're selling online, factor in platform fees and the time you spend on photography and listings. Most makers undercount their costs significantly.

Pay yourself for your time. This is the step most makers skip. Decide on an hourly rate that reflects the skill and experience your work requires — not minimum wage, but a rate you'd be willing to work for if someone else were paying you. Multiply that rate by the hours you spend making each piece and add it to your cost calculation.

Research comparable work. Look at what other makers with similar skill levels and materials are charging for similar pieces. This isn't about copying their prices — it's about understanding the market. If your calculated price is significantly higher than comparable work, either your costs are unusually high or the market for that type of work is constrained. If it's significantly lower, you may be undervaluing your work.

Build in a margin. Your price should cover costs and labor plus a margin that allows you to reinvest in your practice — new tools, better materials, a class, a market you want to try. A maker who is just breaking even has no room to grow.

Be consistent. Charging different prices to different customers for the same work creates confusion and erodes trust. If you want to offer discounts, do it transparently — a market-day special, a loyalty discount for repeat customers, a sliding scale for community organizations — rather than negotiating individually.

Raise your prices when the work warrants it. As your skills improve, your materials get better, and your reputation grows, your prices should reflect that. Raising prices is uncomfortable, but it's a sign of a healthy, growing practice. Customers who value your work will understand; customers who don't were probably not your best customers anyway.