Plastic Canvas Fanatic

[m4pl3g1rl]

Figuring out prices for handmade items fluctuates. The problem you might run into here is subject matter. Zelda sprites are under copyright protection, so I'm not too sure how that will work. I'm terrified of Nintendo. They're almost as grumpy as Disney.

But generally it's materials+time+profit margin = price. Time includes development and design usually, which is why OOAK (one of a kind) items are often at a higher price than multiple pieces where the design cost can be split between them. Also time is how much you want to be paid an hour. Materials won't cover how much you bought total, just how much was used in the piece. For example, if I buy a thing of embroidery floss that costs me $.39 and I only use about 1/3 of it, that's more like $.12 instead of the whole $.39.

There is a lot to consider when trying to sell pieces. I made the mistake of selling something for a song instead of what it was actually worth. I lost money on 15 hours of work! Don't short-change yourself. Be willing to stand behind your price.

Profit margin is a difficult thing to calculate out. If you're new at selling and don't have a fan base or a customer following, keep your profit margin small. You should make money on the piece though. If you keep at it, you will develop word-of-mouth and electronic following. Then your profit margin can increase.

So even if your product is unique you can figure out what it's worth. It just takes some math and honesty. Hope this helps!

[Kevin18875]

I have a bit of a suggestion for pricing: take the cost of the materials that made it, multiply it by 3, in order to make a few more, then add however much you want for labor. I would think about $10 would be reasonable for that. So if your project materials cost $3, multiply that by 3 to handle the cost of more materials, then add $10 to that, and you got $19, but can bump it up to $20. That's the way I'd try it out anyway.

I'm a guy, but I love your Zelda purse, and your other Mario designs, especially the frame. Hope my advice helps. And of your interested, stop by my Etsy shop, KDStitching.

Also for the Nintendo copyright, as it's your own work, it shouldn't be a problem, unless when your selling it, they contact you and say so.

[ThreadedPixels]

For the copyright issue, say it's 'inspired' on your site and listings, and they aren't as harsh with that. Also, avoid using catch all/trade mark terms as well (pokemon especially), or at the very least attach the inspired bit on the end.
They may not be happy still, but if you make it blatantly obvious you're not making licensed stuff, they tend to be less mean.

[qu33nofspades]

Oh my goodness! I have been in the market for a new purse, and now I'm determined to make my own with plastic canvas! This is so great...

The boyfriend is SO going to roll his eyes at me when I start, though... a few months ago I tried to sew myself a new purse and it ended up lumpy and limp... This should be perfect, though! ^_^