Custom Pin and Button Pricing: How to Price Pinback Buttons
How to price pinback buttons: button parts, printing, press time, design and bulk orders, with worked examples by size.
In this guide
Pinback buttons are cheap to make with a button press, and they sell well for events, schools, campaigns and fan art. This guide shows how to price buttons by size, with bulk tiers for event orders.
- Button price = button parts + printing + press time + design share + overhead, then profit and fees.
- A 2.25 in button costs about $1.14 to make and sells for about $1.70 as a single.
- Bulk event orders lower the price per button.
- Charge design for custom art.
Why buttons need tier pricing
Button parts cost cents. Press time and design make up most of the cost for small orders.
Event orders of 100 or more can be quick, so the price per button drops.
The steps
1. Cost button parts
Shell, back and mylar per button.
2. Add printing
Paper and ink.
3. Add press time
Cutting and pressing.
4. Add design
Custom art or setup.
5. Add overhead, profit and fees
Use 10% overhead, 30% profit and fees.
Worked example: single buttons by size
$20 an hour, 10% overhead, 30% profit and 10% fees.
| 1.25 in button | 2.25 in button | 3 in button | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Button parts | $0.12 | $0.18 | $0.30 |
| Paper and ink | $0.03 | $0.06 | $0.10 |
| Packaging | $0.10 | $0.10 | $0.15 |
| Labor at $20.00/hr | 0.03 hr = $0.60 | 0.035 hr = $0.70 | 0.04 hr = $0.80 |
| Overhead (10%) | $0.09 | $0.10 | $0.14 |
| Cost to make | $0.93 | $1.14 | $1.49 |
| Plus 30% profit | $1.22 | $1.49 | $1.93 |
| Cover 10% selling fees (divide by 0.90) | $1.35 | $1.65 | $2.15 |
| Suggested price | $1.40 | $1.70 | $2.15 |
Single buttons are small sales. Packs and event orders make more per order.
Pricing mistakes to avoid
- No setup charge. Design and setup should be charged once.
- Tiny orders at bulk prices. Small orders cost more per button.
- Cheap parts. Cheap backs bend and bring complaints.
- Selling fan art without checking rights. Know the rules for characters you use.
Bulk and custom order pricing
For an event order of 2.25 in buttons, design layout and a test press takes about 0.5 hr at $20.00/hr. Charge that once per order, then spread it across the pieces. Materials are $0.34 per piece and hands-on time is 1.8 minutes, which drops when you batch the same design. Overhead is 10%, profit 30%, and 3% covers card or invoice fees.
| Quantity | Setup share per piece | Cost per piece | Price per piece | Order total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | $0.40 | $1.47 | $1.98 | $49.39 |
| 100 | $0.10 | $1.14 | $1.53 | $153.32 |
| 250 | $0.04 | $0.98 | $1.31 | $328.02 |
| 500 | $0.02 | $0.89 | $1.19 | $597.06 |
The price per piece falls from $1.98 to $1.19 because the setup is shared, not because you cut your rate. Quote the tier the customer actually orders, ask for a 50% deposit before you buy blanks, and set a minimum order size for custom work.
Button pricing checklist
- Button parts.
- Printing.
- Press time.
- Design.
- Overhead, profit and fees.
- Bulk tiers.
Price any handmade product
Type your materials and time into the peach cells. The calculator shows cost and price.
Get the Handmade Product Pricing CalculatorCalculators that help
- Quantity tiers: Set price breaks. Use the Decal Quantity Price Breaks Calculator – Bulk Decal Pricing from 1 to 500.
- Design time: Charge for design. Use the Design & Setup Time Cost Calculator – Setup Fee, Proofs, Samples & Cost per Item.
- Ink cost: Find ink cost per print. Use the Printer Ink Cost per Print Calculator – Cartridge Yield, Coverage, Safety Factor & Monthly Ink Cost.
- Bundles: Price button packs. Use the Bundle & Set Pricing Calculator – Bundle Price, Buyer Savings, Bundle Profit & Gift Set Pricing.
Common questions
How much should I charge for custom buttons?
Single buttons often sell for about $1.25 to $4. Event orders cost less each.
How much does it cost to make a button?
Often under $0.50 in parts and printing.
What button size is most popular?
2.25 in is very common.
How do I price event orders?
Use tiers and charge setup once.
Should I sell button packs?
Yes, packs raise order size.
Is a button press worth it?
If you sell enough buttons. Check payback.
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