Ready to start selling your door hangers? Pricing is one of the most important parts of it, but it can easily feel overwhelming. Maybe it’s even kept you from trying to sell your work, simply because you don’t even have an idea of what you would charge.
Take a deep breath and don’t panic! I’m here to walk you through it, step by step, so you can start pricing your door hangers with confidence. After reading this, you’ll be on your way to selling your masterpieces in no time.
Let’s Start With the Basics: Know Your Costs
Before you ever set a price for your door hanger, make sure you’re adding up everything it takes to make it. That includes:
- Your wood blank (whether you’re cutting it yourself or purchasing a blank)
- Paints and brushes
- Bows and greenery
- Jute string or twine
- Sealer
- Packaging and shipping (if you’re mailing it out)
- All the little things in between
It all adds up, so if you don’t take supplies into account, you could be way undercutting yourself!
Make sure you’re actively keeping track of your supplies and how much they cost. With supplies like paint that stretch over several projects, do your best to estimate.
Yes, You CAN Charge for your time!
This is such a hard one for creatives to put into practice, but you CAN charge for your time. After all, it was part of the process of creating your door hanger!
Start by tracking how long it takes to complete a door hanger from start to finish. Once you have that time estimate, decide what hourly rate feels fair for your effort and experience.
And remember, this hourly rate can evolve just like you will. After you get more experience under your belt, it’s okay to charge a bit more.
Pricing Is Psychological (And That’s Okay!)
Here’s something not enough people talk about: Pricing sends a message.
If your price is too low, customers might assume it isn’t high quality (even if you poured your heart and soul into it). Don’t undersell your art just because you’re new or unsure what to charge. Don’t let doubt talk you out of what your work is worth!
Think of it this way: Just because you wouldn’t pay $65 for a door hanger (because you can make one yourself, right?) doesn’t mean others won’t. Most people aren’t going to paint it themselves — that’s why they want to buy a door hanger! To them, the money is worth the time they don’t have to spend creating it.
And most of the time, people are glad to pay for something that’s handmade, heartfelt, and completely unique!
You Can Start Low, But Don’t Stay There
When I first started, I sold door hangers for as little as $25. Now? Most range between $45–$65, and the more complex ones go for even more, especially if it’s double-sided or 3D.
Creating those designs are a result of years of experience honing my craft, coupled with high-quality materials! And I encourage you to factor your expertise into your prices too.
Walmart Isn’t Your Competition
Every now and then, I’ll see a post in our Painter’s Clubhouse Facebook group: “How can I compete with Walmart? They have $15 door hangers!”
I know this may sound a bit counterintuitive, but Walmart is NOT your competition. The people who are buying their door hangers at Walmart are not the same buyers that want a handmade, custom design. Your ideal customer values handmade. They want something one of a kind. That’s your magic!
When in Doubt, Use This Simple Formula
If you’re still not sure what to charge for your door hangers, I’ve broken it all down into a simple formula that can help you decide!
Materials + Time + Profit Margin = Your Price
Or, you can use this guide to help you see where your door hanger lands:
- Simple design: $35–$50
- Moderate detail: $50–$65
- Highly detailed or custom: $65–$85+
For example, a double-sided, 3D design like our sweet Lola the Highland Cow double-sided design? Easily $75–$85, especially with added bows or greenery. That’s because the design is more complex. You’re getting two amazing door hangers in one, so the price is higher!
Stand Behind Your Pricing — You’re Worth It!
Here’s your permission slip to stop doubting yourself. Your art brings joy and adds beauty to someone’s home, which is invaluable. Don’t be afraid to price your door hangers what they’re worth!
Want More Door Hanger Tips?
If you found this helpful, I have more door hanger tips waiting for you inside the Painter’s Clubhouse! We’ll show you everything from how to do fun techniques like faux wood, offer you new designs to stretch your creative skills, and even offer up advice on how to sell your door hangers.
While doors are only open a few times during the year, you can join the waitlist NOW and be notified when we’re taking new members again!
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