Vehicle Magnet Pricing: How to Price Car Door Magnets for Businesses
How to price custom car door magnets: magnet sheeting, printed vinyl, laminate, design and cutting, with examples for common sizes sold in pairs.
In this guide
Car door magnets are an easy way for small businesses to advertise, and they can be moved between vehicles. They are sold in pairs, one for each door. This guide shows how to price vehicle magnets by size, from magnet sheeting to printing and laminating.
- Magnet price = magnet sheeting + printed vinyl + laminate + cutting and application time + overhead, then profit and fees.
- A pair of 12 x 18 in magnets costs about $34.44 to make and prices at about $47.
- Use 30 mil vehicle magnet sheeting, which holds at road speeds better than thin magnets.
- Charge design separately for logos that need work.
Why magnets are priced by area
Magnet sheeting and printed vinyl are sold by the square foot, so bigger magnets cost more. Rounded corners and cutting take time too.
Business buyers often order more pairs later. Save files and offer reorder pricing.
The steps
1. Find square feet
12 x 18 in is 1.5 sq ft. A pair is 3 sq ft.
2. Cost magnet sheeting
30 mil vehicle magnet often costs several dollars per sq ft.
3. Add printed vinyl and laminate
Print, laminate and apply to the magnet.
4. Add labor
Printing, laminating, application, trimming and rounding corners.
5. Add overhead, profit and fees
Use 12% overhead, 30% profit and card fees.
Worked example: three magnet sizes, priced per pair
$30 an hour, 12% overhead, 30% profit and 3% card fees. Magnet at about $4 per sq ft and print with laminate at about $1.25 per sq ft.
| 12 x 18 in pair | 12 x 24 in pair | 18 x 24 in pair | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 mil magnet sheeting | $12.00 | $16.00 | $24.00 |
| Printed vinyl and laminate | $3.75 | $5.00 | $7.50 |
| Labor at $30.00/hr | 0.5 hr = $15.00 | 0.6 hr = $18.00 | 0.8 hr = $24.00 |
| Overhead (12%) | $3.69 | $4.68 | $6.66 |
| Cost to make | $34.44 | $43.68 | $62.16 |
| Plus 30% profit | $44.77 | $56.78 | $80.81 |
| Cover 3% selling fees (divide by 0.97) | $46.16 | $58.54 | $83.31 |
| Suggested price | $47 | $59 | $84 |
Charge design separately. Many shops charge $25 to $75 for a simple logo layout.
Pricing mistakes to avoid
- Using thin magnet. Vehicle magnets should be about 30 mil thick.
- Pricing one magnet, not a pair. Most buyers want both doors. Quote pairs.
- Free logo design. Charge for layout and cleanup.
- No care instructions. Tell buyers to remove and clean magnets often.
Bulk and custom order pricing
For a fleet order of 12 x 18 in magnet pairs, layout, proof and a test print takes about 0.75 hr at $30.00/hr. Charge that once per order, then spread it across the pieces. Materials are $15.75 per piece and hands-on time is 30 minutes, which drops when you batch the same design. Overhead is 12%, profit 30%, and 3% covers card or invoice fees.
| Quantity | Setup share per piece | Cost per piece | Price per piece | Order total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $22.50 | $59.64 | $79.93 | $79.93 |
| 5 | $4.50 | $36.96 | $49.53 | $247.67 |
| 10 | $2.25 | $32.76 | $43.91 | $439.05 |
| 25 | $0.90 | $29.57 | $39.63 | $990.68 |
The price per piece falls from $79.93 to $39.63 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.
Vehicle magnet checklist
- Square feet per magnet.
- 30 mil sheeting cost.
- Print and laminate cost.
- Labor time.
- Overhead, profit and fees.
- Design priced separately.
- Care instructions included.
Price signs by square inch
Type your material costs and size into the peach cells. The calculator shows cost and price for any size.
Get the Vinyl Price Per Square Inch CalculatorCalculators that help
- Vehicle window decals: Price window decals. Use the Vehicle & Window Decal Pricing Calculator – Car Decals, Door Lettering & Fleets.
- Design time: Charge for design. Use the Design & Setup Time Cost Calculator – Setup Fee, Proofs, Samples & Cost per Item.
- Installation: Price decal installation. Use the Decal Installation Pricing Calculator – Labor, Surface Prep, Removal & Travel.
- Custom quotes: Quote custom decals. Use the Custom Decal Order Quote Calculator – Design Fee, Proofs, Rush Fee, Deposit & Balance.
Common questions
How much should I charge for car door magnets?
Many shops charge about $45 to $100 for a pair of 12 x 18 in magnets. In this guide a pair prices at about $47.
What thickness should vehicle magnets be?
30 mil is common for vehicles.
Do car magnets come in pairs?
Yes, usually one for each door.
Should I charge for design?
Yes, for logos that need layout or cleanup.
How do I tell customers to care for magnets?
Remove and clean them weekly, and apply to flat, clean metal.
Can magnets go on any vehicle?
Only on steel panels. They will not stick to aluminum or plastic.
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