This is going to be a long winded breakdown of how I go about pricing, and since I just finished Falkor…We’re going to use him as an extreme example. I’ll go through a few different ways I’ve heard/seen how many do their pricing, plus my own way. So strap in…Cause here comes lots of math and of course, more Falkor!
Next to, above, or below (however you view this post) you’ll see the photo with the pricing for all my materials used. Only thing not listed is the small amount of tulle I used. I had the tulle on hand and honestly have no idea where or what brand it even is to get a price, so we will just ignore that 🫣 I also never include stuffing in my pricing, as I buy this in bulk and just don’t care to weigh out what I use.
Beyond the tulle, I used 65.22g of TPU filament, 2.92g of White PLA filament, 5.12g of Black PLA filament, one full 3.53oz skein of Nako yarn, and a total of 13.5oz or 2 and 1/4 skeins of Big Twist yarn. Also not pictured are the specialty safety eyes from Darkside Eyes that cost $3.
Now here is where I see a LOT of people say to charge 3x the cost of materials going off their retail values. Basically as if I had to buy everything initially. So if I follow this rule, the “price” for Falkor based on what other’s believe would be…$227.55. Now while that does sound reasonable, it’s really not. Remember I spent 56 hours making this guy. Not to mention, I don’t really find it fair at all to charge full retail cost of the materials when I didn’t use every last bit of them. I personally only include actual USED material cost when it comes to my pricing. So I’ll break that down for you on the chart below in how I figure that out.
| White PLA filament=$15.99 for 1000g… I used only 2.92g | $15.99/1000=$0.02 per gram… $0.02 x 2.92g Used=$0.06 actual material cost |
| Black PLA Filament=$13.99 for 1000g… I used 5.15g | $13.99/1000=$0.01 per gram… $0.01 x 5.15g Used=$0.05 actual material cost |
| TPU Filament=$24.90 for 1000g… I used 65.22g | $24.90/1000=$0.02 per gram… $0.02 x 65.22=$1.30 actual material cost |
| Big Twist Yarn=$4.49 per 6oz skein (x3 =$13.47)… I used 13.5oz or 2 and 1/4 skeins | $4.49/6=$0.75 per ounce… 2 full skeins=$8.98 3rd skein=$0.75 x 1.5=$1.13 $8.98+$1.13=$10.11 actual material cost |
| Nako Yarn=$4.50 per 3.53oz skein…I used a full one Safety Eyes=$3 | $4.50+$3=$7.50 actual material cost |
| Following “Usual” Rule…Cost=$75.85 $75.85 x 3=$227.55 “material cost” | Following “My” Rule…Cost=$19.02 actual material cost…and even if I x3 that’s still only $57.06 which 100% does not cover the work put in. |
Hopefully my breakdown chart makes sense, I know not everyone enjoys doing the math. Yet, I really feel it necessary to STOP people from doing the 3x material cost “rule” because it’s just wrong.
In my opinion you’re OVERcharging your clients for materials you don’t use all the way. I still have plenty of filament for several other prints, and more than enough of the big twist yarn for quite a few other things depending on what I choose to make.
It’s not right! So stop doing it this way…please! Just do the math. It’ll honestly keep your prices more affordable in the long run, and people more than likely to buy. ESPECIALLY for the quick makes that almost never use a full skein and you can make several of something from just one skein!
Anyways!! Moving on…Now that we’ve figured out my true material cost ($19.02) it’s time to figure out pricing my time to actually make him! This again I’ve seen several different ways of going about it. Charge by your local hourly minimum wage, minimum hourly tipped wage, or by number of stitches. So lets break each of those “rules” down shall we?
Where I live the Hourly Minimum Wage =$12.48hr.
Hourly Minimum Tipped Wage =$4.74hr.
As for by number of stitches, most I’ve seen that use this rule charge $0.01 per stitch.
Let’s first start with the $0.01 per stitch. By my math…Which took forever to add up By the way 🥴…Falkor has a total of 17,930 crochet stitches.
$0.01 x 17,930 =$179.30 total JUST to crochet him. That doesn’t include my time to attach his nostrils, eyelids, the scales or the time to brush all of him out.
That is strictly just crocheting him…
This method could work for simple things or no-sew items, but simply does not really work for the more intricate makes that take more than just crocheting. Which takes us into the next two methods. One I see a lot, and the one I use personally.
I put 56 hours and 18 minutes of work into making this beasty (I did NOT include my 3D Printing time separately as it was running on it’s own WHILE I was crocheting.) Based on the “wages rules” and again where I’m personally located with Full Minimum Wage being $12.48hr and Tipped Minimum Wage being $4.74hr.
That would be $702.62 at full minimum wage or $266.86 at tipped minimum wage.
Now many people will tell you to “charge your worth” or “don’t work for free” yadda yadda. While Yes I do agree with charging your worth, however I do NOT agree with charging for More than its worth.
And charging a Full Minimum wage just doesn’t work in my opinion. While yes, I do consider this my job…It is not very demanding by any means.
Which is 100% why I personally go by following my local Tipping Minimum Wage. I’m not sitting in an office answering phones, or a mechanic working on cars, or any other job you would consider a “normal 9-5” job. I am in my opinion providing a service with the skills I have available to me. So I will price my things as such, and I’m sure there will be several that don’t agree with this way of thinking. Which is totally fine by me, I’m not here to please everyone, just here to spread help and awareness.
Anyway, everyone loves a good chart, so here’s another one to put all these different methods into perspective and hopefully help you decide on your own way of pricing things in the future.
| Method Used | ||
| ”Retail” Material Cost $75.85×3 = | $227.55 Total | |
| “Actual” Material Cost $19.02×3= | $57.06 Total | |
| +”Retail” Material Cost ($75.85) | +”Acutal” Material Cost ($19.02) | |
| 17,930stiches x $0.01 per Stitch | =$179.30+$75.85=$255.15 Total | =$179.30+$19.02=$198.32 Total |
| Local Minimum Wage $12.48hr x 56hr18min | =$702.62+$75.85=$778.47 Total | =$702.62+$19.02=$721.64 Total |
| Local Tipped Minimum Wage $4.74 x 56hr18min | =$266.86+$75.85=$342.71 Total | =$266.86+$19.02=$285.88 Total |
With all that, we’ve reached the end! So what will it cost to order a custom made Falkor of your own? $285.88 (Plus shipping as that changes depending on your location.)
If you have any questions at all, please do not hesitate to ask! Either in the comments, message me on Insta, or email me directly at C3Fiberarts@gmail.com
I’m always happy to help, or explain something further ❤️
Now if you’re wanting your own Falkor you can reach out to me in the same way! As he does take quite a bit of time I won’t be going through Etsy for this one. Only direct requests to me via email or Insta will be accepted.
C3Fiberarts 
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