Production

Ceramic Pricing Calculator

Calculate wholesale and retail prices for ceramic pieces based on materials, labor, and overhead.

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Clay, glaze, colorants for this piece

$

This piece's share of kiln firing cost

hr

All time: throwing, trimming, glazing, loading

$ /hr
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Studio rent, tools, packaging (% of direct costs)

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Retail price = wholesale × multiplier. Standard: 2× (keystone).

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Results

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Enter your measurements above and click Calculate.

The Ceramic Pricing Formula

Sustainable pricing for ceramics follows a structured formula that ensures all costs are covered and your time is properly valued:

Labor cost = hours × hourly_rate

Direct cost = materials + firing + labor

Overhead = direct_cost × overhead%

Total cost = direct_cost + overhead

Wholesale = total_cost × (1 + markup%)

Retail = wholesale × retail_multiple

Distribution Channel Guide

ChannelTypical PriceNotes
Direct studio / marketBetween W & RNever below wholesale
Gallery (consignment)Retail priceGallery takes 40–50%
Wholesale to shopsWholesale priceRetailer doubles it
Online (Etsy, etc.)Retail priceAccount for platform fees (15–20%)

Frequently Asked Questions

How should I set my hourly labor rate? expand_more
Many professional potters charge $25–$50/hr for labor. Account for time spent on clay preparation, throwing, trimming, decorating, glazing, and loading/unloading the kiln — not just throwing time.
What is the standard wholesale-to-retail multiple? expand_more
Retail is typically 2× the wholesale price. This allows retailers a 50% margin on their selling price. If you sell direct, you can price between wholesale and retail — never below wholesale to protect your gallery relationships.
What costs should overhead cover? expand_more
Overhead includes studio rent, equipment depreciation, tools, kiln maintenance, packaging, marketing, and a portion of your insurance and professional development. A 20–30% overhead addition to direct costs is typical for small studios.
Why do my pieces feel underpriced compared to retail? expand_more
Most potters undervalue their time. Track your actual hours per piece for one month — including prep, cleanup, and packaging. Include kiln depreciation (a kiln at $2,000 firing 200 times = $10/firing). Price to sustain your practice.