How to Price Custom Pet Portraits and Pet-Themed Crafts
How to price custom pet portraits: digital art, painted canvas and laser engraved portraits, with design time, revisions and add-ons.
In this guide
Pet owners love custom portraits of their pets. They are made as digital art, painted canvases, engraved wood or printed gifts. Each takes design time and revisions. This guide shows how to price pet portraits and pet-themed crafts.
- Portrait price = art time + materials + revisions + packaging + overhead, then profit and fees.
- A digital pet portrait prices at about $57 in this guide.
- Extra pets add art time. Charge per pet.
- Set a revision limit and charge for extra changes.
Why portraits need time-based pricing
Each portrait is custom. Art time depends on detail, number of pets and background.
Painted portraits take much longer than digital ones.
The steps
1. Time the art
Sketch, color and details.
2. Add materials
Canvas, paint, print or wood.
3. Add revisions
Include one or two.
4. Add packaging
Frame, box or shipping tube.
5. Add overhead, profit and fees
Use 10% overhead, 30% profit and fees.
Worked example: digital, engraved and painted portraits
$25 an hour for art, 5% overhead, 30% profit and 10% fees.
| Digital portrait (1 pet) | Laser engraved wood portrait | 8 x 10 in painted canvas | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $0.00 | $8.00 | $12.00 |
| Print or engraving time | $0.00 | $4.00 | $0.00 |
| Packaging | $0.00 | $2.00 | $4.00 |
| Labor at $25.00/hr | 1.5 hr = $37.50 | 1.25 hr = $31.25 | 5 hr = $125.00 |
| Overhead (5%) | $1.88 | $2.26 | $7.05 |
| Cost to make | $39.38 | $47.51 | $148.05 |
| Plus 30% profit | $51.19 | $61.77 | $192.47 |
| Cover 10% selling fees (divide by 0.90) | $56.88 | $68.63 | $213.85 |
| Suggested price | $57 | $69 | $214 |
Charge about 50% to 75% more for each extra pet, since art time goes up.
Pricing mistakes to avoid
- Unlimited revisions. Set a limit and charge for more.
- Same price for 1 or 3 pets. Each pet adds time.
- No deposit. Ask for payment or a deposit up front.
- Low quality photos. Ask for clear photos before starting.
What you keep on each sales channel
The same digital pet portrait at $57.00 leaves different money in your pocket depending on where it sells. This uses the $39.38 cost to make from the example above, with Etsy's current transaction, processing and listing fees and Square's in-person card rate. Shipping, sales tax and ads are left out.
| Where it sells | Buyer pays | Fees | You keep | Profit over cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Etsy (6.5% + 3% + $0.25 + $0.20 listing) | $57.00 | $5.87 | $51.13 | $11.76 |
| Your own website (about 2.9% + $0.30) | $57.00 | $1.95 | $55.05 | $15.67 |
| Craft fair, card reader (2.6% + $0.15) | $57.00 | $1.63 | $55.37 | $15.99 |
| Craft fair, cash | $57.00 | $0.00 | $57.00 | $17.62 |
| Wholesale to a shop (50% of retail) | $28.50 | $0.00 | $28.50 | -$10.88 |
On Etsy, fees take about 10% of a $57.00 sale. If a sale comes through Etsy Offsite Ads, add another 15% (12% for shops over $10,000 a year), so build that into your price if you're enrolled. Wholesale at half of retail loses $10.88 per piece here. Either raise retail, lower your cost, or set a separate wholesale price with a case minimum.
Pet portrait checklist
- Art time.
- Materials.
- Revision limit.
- Packaging.
- Overhead, profit and fees.
- Extra pet pricing.
Quote custom orders fast
Type your art time, materials and add-ons into the peach cells. The calculator builds a quote and price.
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 art rate. Use the Hourly Rate & Pay Yourself Calculator – Hourly Rate, Per-Minute Rate & Income Goal for Makers.
- Good, better, best: Offer three portrait levels. Use the Good-Better-Best Pricing Calculator – 3-Tier Price Ladder, Profit by Tier & Sales Mix.
- Laser quotes: Quote engraved portraits. Use the Custom Laser Order Quote Calculator – Bulk, Corporate & Event Orders.
Common questions
How much should I charge for a pet portrait?
Digital portraits often sell for about $30 to $100, and painted portraits for more. In this guide a digital portrait prices at about $57.
How much for extra pets?
Many artists add about 50% to 75% per extra pet.
How many revisions should I include?
One or two is common.
Should I take a deposit?
Yes.
What photo do I need?
A clear, well lit photo of the pet's face.
Can I sell portraits as prints?
Yes, as add-ons like prints, mugs or ornaments.
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