Resin Coaster and Tray Pricing: How to Price Resin Art for Profit
How to price resin coasters and trays: resin by volume, pigments and inclusions, molds, sanding and packaging, with worked examples.
In this guide
Resin coasters and trays are popular gifts and market items. Resin costs add up fast, and molds, pigments, gold leaf and sanding all take money and time. This guide shows how to price resin coasters and trays by volume and time.
- Resin piece price = resin by volume + pigments and inclusions + mold wear + sanding and finishing time + packaging + overhead, then profit and fees.
- A set of 4 coasters costs about $26.68 to make and sells for about $39.
- Measure resin by volume. Add 10% for mixing waste.
- Molds wear out. Spread the cost across the pieces they make.
Why resin art gets underpriced
Resin is often $25 to $50 or more per gallon kit, and a tray can use a lot. Pigments, mica, gold leaf and dried flowers add cost.
Demolding, sanding edges and packing take time. Cure time also limits how many you can make.
The steps
1. Find resin volume
Measure mold volume and add 10% waste.
2. Add pigments and inclusions
Mica, alcohol inks, gold leaf, flowers.
3. Add mold wear
Divide mold cost by expected uses.
4. Time the work
Mixing, pouring, demolding, sanding and packing.
5. Add overhead, profit and fees
Use 10% overhead, 30% profit and fees.
Worked example: coaster set, tray and serving board
$20 an hour, 10% overhead, 30% profit and 10% fees.
| Set of 4 coasters | Rolling tray | Serving board with handles | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resin with 10% waste | $5.50 | $9.00 | $14.00 |
| Pigments and inclusions | $1.50 | $2.50 | $3.50 |
| Mold wear | $0.75 | $1.00 | $1.50 |
| Packaging | $1.50 | $1.50 | $2.50 |
| Labor at $20.00/hr | 0.75 hr = $15.00 | 1 hr = $20.00 | 1.5 hr = $30.00 |
| Overhead (10%) | $2.43 | $3.40 | $5.15 |
| Cost to make | $26.68 | $37.40 | $56.65 |
| Plus 30% profit | $34.68 | $48.62 | $73.64 |
| Cover 10% selling fees (divide by 0.90) | $38.53 | $54.02 | $81.83 |
| Suggested price | $39 | $55 | $82 |
Gold leaf and flowers add cost and time. Price custom inclusions as add-ons.
Pricing mistakes to avoid
- Forgetting mixing waste. Resin left in cups and on sticks adds up. Add about 10%.
- Pricing by size only. Inclusions and detail add time and cost.
- Ignoring mold wear. Molds wear out. Spread their cost.
- Rushing cure time. Soft pieces bring returns. Let them cure fully.
What you keep on each sales channel
The same set of 4 coasters at $39.00 leaves different money in your pocket depending on where it sells. This uses the $26.68 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) | $39.00 | $4.16 | $34.84 | $8.17 |
| Your own website (about 2.9% + $0.30) | $39.00 | $1.43 | $37.57 | $10.89 |
| Craft fair, card reader (2.6% + $0.15) | $39.00 | $1.16 | $37.84 | $11.16 |
| Craft fair, cash | $39.00 | $0.00 | $39.00 | $12.32 |
| Wholesale to a shop (50% of retail) | $19.50 | $0.00 | $19.50 | -$7.18 |
On Etsy, fees take about 11% of a $39.00 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 $7.18 per piece here. Either raise retail, lower your cost, or set a separate wholesale price with a case minimum.
Resin pricing checklist
- Resin volume with waste.
- Pigments and inclusions.
- Mold wear.
- Mixing, demolding and sanding time.
- Overhead, profit and fees.
- Packaging.
Price resin art pieces
Type your resin volume, pigments, molds and time into the peach cells. The calculator shows cost and a suggested price.
Get the Resin Art Pricing CalculatorCalculators that help
- Pour volume: Find resin volume for any mold. Use the Epoxy Resin Pour Volume & Mix Calculator – Ounces, Part A/B & Kits.
- Mold making: Cost silicone molds. Use the Silicone Mold Making Cost Calculator – Cost per Mold, per Cast & Price.
- Batch planning: Plan batches around cure time. Use the Resin Casting Batch Production Planner – Molds, Sessions, Days & Cost.
- Profit check: Check margin on any price. Use the Resin Art Price & Profit Margin Checker – Markup vs Margin, Fees & Target Price.
Common questions
How much should I charge for resin coasters?
Many sets of 4 sell for about $25 to $50. In this guide a set prices at about $39.
How do I calculate resin cost?
Find the volume, add 10% waste, and multiply by your cost per ounce.
How long do resin coasters take to cure?
Many resins need 24 to 72 hours, with a full cure taking longer. Check your resin.
Are resin coasters heat resistant?
Many are not fully heat resistant. Tell buyers not to place hot items on them unless your resin is rated for it.
Should I charge more for flowers or gold leaf?
Yes, as add-ons.
How do I price custom resin pieces?
Charge design and inclusions separately.
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