Let’s set the scene.

Someone picks up your work. They squint thoughtfully. They nod.

Then they ask:
“So… how much is it?”

And suddenly you forget your own name.

Pricing your art can feel wildly personal. But here’s the good news: it doesn’t have to be dramatic. It can be practical. Grounded. Even a little boring.

And boring is profitable.

Let’s walk through this like grown, capable creatives who would like to pay their bills.

Step 1: Stop Pulling Numbers Out of Thin Air

If your pricing method is currently:

“What feels right?”
“What I think people can afford?”
“Whatever won’t make them gasp?”
We need a new plan.
Pricing starts with math. Yes, math. Stay with me.

Step 2: Calculate Your Baseline (The Non-Negotiables)

You need to know three things:

Example Material Costs

Fabric
Yarn
Dyes
Packaging
Shipping supplies

Include any and everything that physically goes into the piece.

2.Time Spent

Designing
Creating
Finishing
Photographing
Listing it online

3. Your Hourly Rate
And no, it is not $10.

So, what is a good starting point?

$25–$50/hour depending on your experience. If you have years of skill under your belt, it should be higher.

If a piece takes 5 hours and your rate is $35/hour:
5 × 35 = $175
Plus $40 in materials = $215 baseline
That’s your floor. Not your “maybe.” Your floor.

Step 3: Wholesale vs Retail (Don’t Skip This)

If you ever want to sell in shops, you need to understand this:

Retail price is typically 2–2.5x your wholesale price.

Wholesale should still pay you fairly.

If your baseline cost is $100, your wholesale cannot be $110. That’s charity.

You either:

Raise retail pricing
Lower costs
Or improve efficiency

But you do not absorb the loss.

Step 4: Compare the Market (Without Spiraling)

Look at artists in your category. Not to copy, but to examine comparable prices.

Are similar objects going for:

$80?
$250?
$1,200?

If everyone in your skill range is charging $300 and you’re charging $95, that’s not “being humble.” That’s undercutting yourself.

Market research isn’t about competition.
It’s about context.

Step 5: Add Profit (Yes, On Purpose)

Here’s the part many artists skip.

After paying yourself for time and materials, you still need profit.

Profit covers:

Business expenses
New tools
Website fees
Slow seasons
Growth

A simple method:
Take your total cost and multiply by 1.2–1.5.

That margin is what keeps you in business long-term.

Because “breaking even” is not a strategy.

Step 6: Stop Apologizing for Your Prices

If you say:

“I know it’s kind of expensive…”
“I can lower it if that helps…”
“It’s probably too much…”

You’ve already lost confidence in your own value, and so will your customers.

Instead:

State the price clearly.
Explain the craftsmanship and the value.
Let it be.

The right buyers won’t flinch.

Step 7: Raise Prices Gradually (Like a Professional)

You do not need to double prices overnight.

Instead:

Raise 10–15% annually.
Increase with new collections.
Adjust when demand increases.

If pieces sell instantly every time?
That’s usually a sign you’re priced too low.

A Quick Reality Check

If you want your art to be:

A hobby → price casually.
A side income → price intentionally.
A business → price strategically.

There is no shame in wanting your creativity to fund your life.

Artists are allowed to:

Pay rent.
Buy groceries.
Build savings.

Revolutionary, I know.

The Bottom Line

Your pricing formula should not be:
✨ vibes ✨

It should be:
Materials + Time + Fair Pay + Profit = Sustainable Business

You can still be kind.
You can still be approachable.
You can still build community.

But you cannot build longevity on undercharging.

Charge like someone who plans to be here for a long time.

Now get started on building something sustainable.

Ready to Price Like a Business Owner?

If you’re tired of hesitating when someone asks for your prices, now is the time to fix it.

You don’t need more guessing.
You need structure.
And a pricing strategy that actually supports your life.

Start here:

Recalculate one piece using real numbers.
Raise one price that no longer reflects your skill.
Set (or reset) your hourly rate to something sustainable.

That’s it. One move. Today.

And if you’re ready to go deeper, beyond pricing and into building a brand that feels cohesive, confident, and profitable, Textile Reverie is here to help.

Our resources, tools, and programs are built specifically for artists and creatives, and founders who want their work to be taken seriously — and paid accordingly.

Because this isn’t just about charging more.

It’s about building a creative business that lasts.

Explore Textile Reverie’s tools and services and start building something sustainable.

Pricing Your Art With Confidence | A No-Guesswork Guide for Creatives