How much to charge for pyrography

Last updated on May 9th, 2023 at 01:18 pm

Pyrography products sell for as low as $3 for keychains to upwards of $1000 for personalized artifacts. Charging for your pyrography project is not always a straightforward task. One of the most difficult things to determine is how much your art is worth. The answer depends on many factors, including:

• How long have you been doing it?
• What kind of work you do?
• Whether you are an independent artist or part of a business
• Your location and what other artists in your area charge
• How much competition there is in your market
• What type of equipment you use
• What materials you use
• Where you sell your work
• How much experience you have with selling your work. 

We will go through some of these factors in this post. By the end of the article, you will know how to determine how much to charge for your wood burning project. 

How long you have been doing it

Handling a professional Wood Burning Tool with Soldering takes some time to master. Your expertise r skill level is worth something. Being an experienced pyrographer means you can charge more than the novices. This is usually tied to your brand. Getting your name out there will make you more sought after, and enable you to fetch larger sums for your work. Knowing your way around wood burning kits alone is not enough. Marketing is the other half of the strategy.

What kind of work you do

Projects are not charged the same. A generic project will be cheaper than a custom design or a one-of-a-kind piece. When deciding what kind of projects to specialize in, consider the market value. Is there a demand for the kind of work you want to do? If so, then, by all means, pursue that niche. It’s good for your pocketbook and helps build your reputation as a skilled artisan.

Whether you are an independent artist, part of a business, or both, charging for your services is important. It would be best if you decided whether you want to be paid upfront or at the end of the job. In either case, you should take into account the following:

• Payment terms
• Delivery dates

Whether you are an independent artist or part of a business

There are upsides and downsides to being an independent artist and being part of a business. One of the upsides of being part of a business is that the marketing is handled by someone else. They deliver the clients, you do the work and everyone gets paid. Independent artists are usually responsible for their marketing. This includes building their brand, creating a website, reaching out to potential customers, etc.

The downside of being an independent artist is that they must handle everything themselves. There may be times when they get stuck and don’t know who to turn to. Also, if you are not very organized, it could become overwhelming.

Being part of a business has its advantages too. They provide you with the tools needed to run your business efficiently. They help you reach new markets and expand your client base. The biggest advantage of having a business is that you can delegate tasks to others. For example, you can hire people to do things like printing, shipping, accounting, etc.

If you are an independent artist working on your own, you will probably spend most of your time on the actual art. This means that you would have less time to market yourself. On the other hand, if you are part of a business, you can focus on getting clients while still delegating tasks to others.

The upside of being an independent pyrographer is that you don’t have to share your earnings. Spending less will mean more profit. 

Delivery dates

If you are an independent artist delivering your products directly to your customer, you will likely face delays. If you are part of a company, they will deliver your product to the customer.

Your location and what other artists in your area charge

Charging more than other artists in your area will mean customers going to them, not you. If the quality of your work is markedly better than theirs, you may get away with this. It could work to your advantage. The internet enables us to market and sell to a wider customer base. 

How much competition there is in your market

Fierce competition is notorious for pushing prices down. This is where it becomes more important to not only carve your niche but to position yourself as a sought-after artist in it. Low competition may indicate low demand. The ideal place to be is low/medium competition and high demand. 

What type of equipment you use

You have to factor in the cost of purchasing and maintaining your equipment in how much you charge. It would be best if you also considered whether or not you want to invest in professional-grade equipment. It’s expensive and requires maintenance. 

The number of hours spent per week on pyrography varies depending on individual schedules and workload. It’s important to determine how long it takes to complete a piece and calculate the time spent accordingly. Once you have a rough estimate, you can calculate an hourly labor rate that you feel comfortable with.

What materials you use

Using premium materials will mean charging premium prices. However, using cheap materials will make your job easier. Depending on the size of your order, you may need to purchase multiple items. You may also need to buy paper, ink, etc. The kind of pyrography wood you use impacts the price.

Shipping costs

Depending on your location, shipping may add up quickly. Shipping is usually included in the price of the item. But if you are selling prints online, you must include shipping costs in your pricing. 

Taxes

Some states require sales tax. Others do not. Your state may levy additional taxes. Make sure you know what these are before you start making money. 

Where you sell your work

There are various options available for selling your pyrography work. You can choose to sell through galleries, shops, online marketplaces, social media platforms, craft fairs, and other events. Selling directly to consumers through your own website or online store can also be a viable option. The best place to sell your work depends on your target audience, marketing strategy, and personal preference. It’s recommended to research each option and consider factors such as fees, commissions, shipping, and customer reach before deciding where to sell your work.

How much you earn from each sale

If you sell through a gallery or shop, you will receive a commission on every sale. This is called a “cut”. A cut is often around 50% – 60%. 

How much experience you have with selling your work. 

The experience you have selling your work can play a role in how much you want to charge. If you are just starting out and do not have much experience yet, you may want to charge less to attract customers. However, as you gain more experience and build a portfolio of successful sales, you may want to consider raising your prices. It’s important to continually review your prices and adjust them based on your experience and the value you provide to your customers.

Can you make money from pyrography?

Yes, you can! There are many ways to earn money from pyrography. You could be paid by the hour, per piece sold, or even when someone buys one of your pieces. Some people choose to start their own business and others simply enjoy creating art so much that they want to create more than just one piece. If you want to learn more about starting a business as a pyrographer, check out our blog post here.

What do you tip for pyrography?

There is no fixed rule for how much to tip pyrographers. However, we recommend tipping at least 20% if you feel the service was exceptional. We also suggest leaving a tip if you enjoyed the service. Remember, every job has challenges and sometimes things don’t go according to plan. It’s important to remember that the person who did the work should be rewarded for his/her efforts.

Can you paint over pyrography?

No, you cannot paint over pyrographed artwork. This is because the heat used during the process causes the ink to become permanently embedded into the surface of the wood. Painting over it will only result in ruining the original design.

Is it safe to burn wood?

Burning wood can be safe if certain precautions are taken. It is important that the wood be dry and seasoned before burning to avoid excessive smoke and the formation of creosote, which can be a fire hazard. Also, the wood must be burned in a well-ventilated area to prevent the formation of carbon monoxide, which can be harmful. In addition, using proper safety equipment, such as gloves and safety glasses, can help prevent injuries when handling and burning the wood. Overall, with proper care and attention, burning wood can be a safe and enjoyable activity.

Can you use pyrography on a bone?

Yes, you can pyrograph a bone. However, bones are porous, and the ink can penetrate the pores and damage the bone if burned too quickly. Therefore, it is important to burn the bone slowly to avoid damage. Also, bone is a hard material, so a higher heat setting and more time may be required to complete the design compared to other pyrographic materials.

Can you do pyrography on bamboo?

Yes, you can do pyrography on bamboo. Bamboo is a great material for pyrographic projects as it burns slower than wood and is less likely to warp. You can use the same techniques for burning onto bamboo as you would for wood.