Airbrush Pricing: How to Price Custom Shoes and Apparel
How to price airbrush work on shoes and apparel: paint, prep, design, time and sealer, with three worked examples.
In this guide
Airbrushed shoes, shirts and jackets are custom art. Prep and design take time, and paint and sealer add cost. This guide shows how to price airbrush work.
- Price = paint + prep supplies + design + airbrush time + sealer + overhead, then profit and fees.
- A custom shirt costs about $36.30 to make and sells for about $53.
- Customer-supplied shoes still need prep time and risk notes.
- Detailed designs take more time. Price by complexity.
Why airbrush pricing needs a design charge
Each piece is custom. Design and masking take time.
Shoes need careful prep to make paint last.
The steps
1. Add blank or note customer item
Your blank or theirs.
2. Add prep
Deglazing, taping and masking.
3. Add paint and sealer
Per item.
4. Add airbrush time
By detail.
5. Add overhead, profit and fees
Use 10% overhead, 30% profit and fees.
Worked example: shirt, sneakers and jacket
$25 an hour, 10% overhead, 30% profit and 10% fees.
| Airbrushed shirt | Custom sneakers (customer pair) | Denim jacket back | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blank | $5.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Paint, prep and sealer | $3.00 | $8.00 | $10.00 |
| Labor at $25.00/hr | 1 hr = $25.00 | 4 hr = $100.00 | 5 hr = $125.00 |
| Overhead (10%) | $3.30 | $10.80 | $13.50 |
| Cost to make | $36.30 | $118.80 | $148.50 |
| Plus 30% profit | $47.19 | $154.44 | $193.05 |
| Cover 10% selling fees (divide by 0.90) | $52.43 | $171.60 | $214.50 |
| Suggested price | $53 | $172 | $215 |
Customer-supplied items should include a note about risks to their item.
Pricing mistakes to avoid
- No prep time. Prep makes paint last.
- No risk note for customer items. Explain risks up front.
- Free design. Charge for custom designs.
- No deposit. Take a deposit.
Airbrush checklist
- Blank or customer item.
- Prep.
- Paint and sealer.
- Time.
- Overhead, profit and fees.
- Deposit.
Quote custom orders
Type your materials, time and add-ons into the peach cells. The calculator builds a quote.
Get the Custom Order Quote CalculatorCalculators that help
- Deposits: Track deposits. Use the Custom Order Deposit & Balance Tracker – Deposits, Balances Due & Overdue Orders.
- Hourly rate: Set your rate. Use the Hourly Rate & Pay Yourself Calculator – Hourly Rate, Per-Minute Rate & Income Goal for Makers.
- Design time: Charge design. Use the Design & Setup Time Cost Calculator – Setup Fee, Proofs, Samples & Cost per Item.
- Good, better, best: Offer three levels. Use the Good-Better-Best Pricing Calculator – 3-Tier Price Ladder, Profit by Tier & Sales Mix.
Common questions
How much should I charge for airbrushed shoes?
It depends on detail. In this guide custom sneakers price at about $172.
How much for an airbrushed shirt?
In this guide a shirt prices at about $53.
Do I need to prep shoes?
Yes, deglazing helps paint stick.
Should I seal airbrush work?
Yes.
Should I take deposits?
Yes.
How do I price group shirts?
Use bulk tiers with a design fee.
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