Fridge Magnet Pricing: How to Price Custom Magnets
How to price custom fridge magnets: blanks, printing, cutting and packaging, with photo, acrylic and wood examples.
In this guide
Custom fridge magnets are easy add-on gifts and popular save-the-dates. They can be printed, sublimated or laser cut. This guide shows how to price magnets by type and quantity.
- Magnet price = blank or sheet + printing + magnet backing + time + packaging + overhead, then profit and fees.
- A photo magnet costs about $2.25 to make and sells for about $3.30.
- Save-the-date orders get bulk tiers.
- Sets of magnets raise order size.
Why magnets need tier pricing
Each magnet costs little, but time per magnet matters on small orders.
Bulk orders share setup time.
The steps
1. Price the blank
Magnet sheet, acrylic or wood.
2. Add printing
Ink, sublimation or engraving.
3. Add backing and time
Magnet backing and cutting.
4. Add packaging
Bag or card.
5. Add overhead, profit and fees
Use 10% overhead, 30% profit and fees.
Worked example: three magnet types
$20 an hour, 10% overhead, 30% profit and 10% fees.
| Printed photo magnet | UV printed acrylic magnet | Laser cut wood magnet | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blank or sheet | $0.40 | $0.80 | $0.50 |
| Printing and backing | $0.30 | $0.60 | $0.40 |
| Packaging | $0.15 | $0.15 | $0.15 |
| Labor at $20.00/hr | 0.06 hr = $1.20 | 0.08 hr = $1.60 | 0.1 hr = $2.00 |
| Overhead (10%) | $0.20 | $0.32 | $0.30 |
| Cost to make | $2.25 | $3.47 | $3.35 |
| Plus 30% profit | $2.93 | $4.50 | $4.36 |
| Cover 10% selling fees (divide by 0.90) | $3.26 | $5.00 | $4.85 |
| Suggested price | $3.30 | $5.05 | $4.85 |
Sets of 4 or 6 are better online sales than single magnets.
Pricing mistakes to avoid
- Weak magnets. Use strong backing so magnets hold.
- No setup charge. Charge design once.
- Singles only. Sell sets.
- No proof for save-the-dates. Proof names and dates.
Bulk and custom order pricing
For a save-the-date order of photo magnets, design and proof takes about 0.75 hr at $20.00/hr. Charge that once per order, then spread it across the pieces. Materials are $0.85 per piece and hands-on time is 2.4 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 | $0.60 | $2.48 | $3.32 | $82.93 |
| 50 | $0.30 | $2.15 | $2.87 | $143.74 |
| 100 | $0.15 | $1.85 | $2.48 | $247.67 |
| 150 | $0.10 | $1.75 | $2.34 | $351.60 |
The price per piece falls from $3.32 to $2.34 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.
Magnet checklist
- Blank or sheet.
- Printing.
- Backing.
- Time.
- Packaging.
- Overhead, profit and fees.
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
- UV jig batches: Price UV batches. Use the UV Jig Batch Pricing Calculator – Pens, Keychains, Golf Balls & Small Items.
- Bundles: Price sets. Use the Bundle & Set Pricing Calculator – Bundle Price, Buyer Savings, Bundle Profit & Gift Set Pricing.
- Print and cut: Cost print and cut. Use the Print-and-Cut Cost Calculator.
- Laser quotes: Quote laser orders. Use the Custom Laser Order Quote Calculator – Bulk, Corporate & Event Orders.
Common questions
How much should I charge for custom magnets?
Single magnets often sell for about $3 to $8. Bulk orders cost less each.
How do I price save-the-date magnets?
Charge design once and use tiers.
What material works best?
Magnet sheet is cheapest. Acrylic and wood feel premium.
Should I sell sets?
Yes, sets raise order size.
How strong should magnets be?
Strong enough to hold a sheet of paper.
Can I sublimate magnets?
Yes, with sublimation magnet blanks.
Get every calculator in one download
The Lifetime Spreadsheet Vault includes this calculator and 320+ more for candles, tumblers, vinyl, resin, baking, crochet, laser and more. Pay once, and every future spreadsheet is included.
See the Lifetime VaultRelated guides
Lifetime Spreadsheet Vault
Stop guessing your prices. For every craft you sell.
- 323+ editable pricing spreadsheets in 29 craft categories
- Type your numbers in the peach cells. The math is done.
- Works in Google Sheets, Excel and Numbers
- Pay once. Every future spreadsheet is included.
