How to Price Your Art Without Undervaluing Your Worth
How to Price Your Art Without Undervaluing Your Worth
Let’s talk about one of the most uncomfortable parts of being a maker or artist. How do I price my work? If you’ve ever felt awkward saying your prices out loud or If you’ve had someone gasp and say, “That’s a lot for a candle/pillow/painting…” or if you’ve ever underpriced something just to make the sale… You’re not alone.
But here’s the truth. Pricing your work fairly isn’t greedy. It’s honoring your value. And learning to price with confidence is one of the most powerful tools you have. Not just for making money, but for building a sustainable, joyful creative business.
At The Creative Casita, we believe in charging what you're worth and then some. Here’s how to do it without guilt, second-guessing, or burning out.
Know what goes into your price. Start by calculating things like the cost of materials such as paint, yarn, clay, packaging. Time spent on the piece including prep, design, and cleanup. Overhead items like rent, tools, website fees, taxes, electricity. And don’t forget…Your skill and experience (yes, this matters!)
For Example: If it takes you 5 hours to make a handwoven wall hanging, and you want to pay yourself $25/hour, that’s $125 in labor alone before even adding materials or markup!
Factor in profit not just breaking even. You’re not here to hustle for free. You’re building a business. Add a markup (typically 2 to 3 times your costs) to create room for profit. This covers future growth, mistakes, discounts, or wholesale opportunities without sinking your income.
Research, but don’t copy, other makers’ prices. Check what others in your niche are charging, especially locally. But don’t match someone’s price just because it “feels safe.” Your pricing should reflect your quality, your story, and your brand. Not someone else’s fear or undercharging. Makers who price too low aren’t the standard, they’re often burning out. Don’t use them as your baseline.
Practice saying your price with confidence. Pricing isn’t just numbers, it’s mindset. If you don’t believe in your worth, neither will your customers. Try saying, “This piece is $85. It’s all hand-stitched and took over 8 hours to create.” Or “My prices reflect the time, love, and sustainable materials I use.” And “I believe in charging fairly for the value I bring.” Confidence is contagious. People are more likely to respect your price if you respect it first.
Stop Apologizing (Seriously). You don’t owe anyone an explanation for your prices. You don’t have to justify your rates in detail. You don’t have to shrink your magic to fit someone else’s budget. Your dream customers want to pay you fairly. Let them.
Build in room for growth. Want to one day hire help, upgrade your supplies, or take time off? Then your prices need to support not just where you are now, but where you're going. Don’t price for survival. Price for sustainability.
Art is not a hobby when it pays your bills. Handmade is not “less than” because it doesn’t come from a factory. Its better. You deserve to make a living from your creativity…without guilt, apology, or burnout.
At The Creative Casita, we champion makers who stand in their value. Because when women price confidently, everything changes. Their business grows, their confidence rises, and their communities benefit. Need a pep talk or a pricing reality check? Stop by The Creative Casita in Flagstaff or reach out. We’re a collective of artists who believe in community over competition and value over discounting.
You are worth every penny.
So is your work.