How to Create a Pricing Guide for Your Artwork
Let’s be real—pricing your artwork can feel like trying to solve a Rubik’s cube blindfolded. You pour your heart and soul into a piece, then you’re supposed to slap a number on it that reflects not only the time and effort you spent, but also your experience, materials, market, and value as an artist? No pressure, right?
But here’s the thing: creating a pricing guide doesn’t have to be scary. In fact, having one in place can save you time, help you feel more confident, and ensure you’re not underselling yourself. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your pricing strategy, this guide will walk you through the steps—without the jargon or the guesswork.
Step 1: Start with the Basics – Know Your Costs
Before anything else, you need to know what it actually costs you to make your art. That includes:
- Materials: paint, canvas, paper, brushes, digital tools, etc.
- Time: How many hours did you spend? What is your hourly rate?
- Overhead: studio rent, website hosting, packaging, shipping, marketing tools.
Let’s say you spent $30 on materials and 10 hours on a piece. If your hourly rate is $25, that’s $250 for time + $30 for materials = $280 baseline cost. This is your starting point. You shouldn’t go below this unless you’re doing a print or promotional piece.
Step 2: Consider Your Experience and Skill Level
If you’re just starting out, your prices may be more modest—but don’t sell yourself short. As your skill improves and your work gains recognition, it’s okay (and necessary!) to adjust your pricing.
Remember: Pricing should grow with you.
Step 3: Understand the Market
Look around—what are other artists in your niche charging?
- Visit local galleries.
- Check Etsy or Instagram shops.
- Explore sites like Saatchi Art or Artfinder.
You’re not copying anyone; you’re doing market research. Find artists with similar styles, sizes, and experience levels. Then ask: “Where does my work fit in this range?”
Step 4: Use a Simple Pricing Formula
Here’s a classic formula artists use:
(Hourly rate × hours spent) + materials + markup = final price
Or, for a square-inch model:
Size (in square inches) × price per inch
Example: An 18×24 piece (432 square inches) priced at $2.00 per inch = $864.
You can adjust the price-per-inch based on complexity, style, or your reputation.
Step 5: Make Room for Different Price Points
Not everyone can afford original pieces, and that’s okay. Consider:
- Offering prints
- Creating mini artworks or sketches
- Selling digital downloads
This way, you welcome more buyers into your world without devaluing your original works.
Step 6: Put It All in a Pricing Guide
Now comes the fun part—creating your actual pricing guide.
This can be a simple PDF or spreadsheet that includes:
- Size options
- Price per size
- Custom commission rates
- What’s included (framing, shipping, etc.)
- Payment terms and policies
It keeps things clear for your buyers—and it saves you from having to answer “how much is this?” a hundred times.
Step 7: Review and Update Regularly
As you grow, your prices should evolve. Maybe you’ve improved, demand has increased, or your costs have gone up. Check your guide every few months and adjust accordingly. Consistency builds trust—but growth builds sustainability.
Final Thoughts
Pricing your art isn’t about guessing or hoping people will pay what you feel it’s worth. It’s about honoring your time, skills, and journey as an artist. A good pricing guide helps you do just that—professionally, confidently, and without losing sleep at night.
So take a breath, crunch the numbers, and start building that guide. Your future self (and your bank account) will thank you.