Paper cutting pricing

[lightpaper]

Hi all - I'm a new seller, and have begun to sell my paper cuts, which I design myself and cut by hand. I'm just wondering if anyone has advice on how they price their items? My prices now are relative to how long it takes me to cut out my design - but I am still worried that they aren't expensive enough to make enough of a profit.

Thanks for the advice :)

Ali

[CuttingPixels]

I also price mine based on how long they take as well as cost for supplies. I do video game/ anime papercuts, so they aren't as detailed as yours. It seems to be doing okay for me so far. I don't feel like a slave, and I'm not over pricing.

[CuttingPixels]

Off topic, what blade are you using?

[WhisperingPaper]

I have the same question as Ali! I justed started here...
How much should you pay yourself per hour?
I try to look at the other papercuts for sale and there's a big difference in the pricing of some. I try to be in the middle, but then I pay myself about 5,- euros per hour. Not that much... And that is excluding packaging....

What do you think?

[CuttingPixels]

I try to pay myself 10 dollars per hour. That's what I would make with a random job. My shipping prices are then added on top of that.

[lightpaper]

Hi all - I usually try to pay myself $10-$20 an hour - but I haven't had many sales and I see so many papercuttings that are sold for so cheap and are so intricate that I can hardly believe that they are handcut (likely laser - though it doesn't always say that and is often advertised as "handmade" or something similar).

Marthe - my prices are similar to yours. I'm starting to work on some larger projects (a 25 x 30 inch map cutout for example) and I won't be able to sell it for any less than $700 to be worth while - but I can't imagine lots of people buying it for that much!

Katrina, I use an excel hobby knife (this one: http://www.excelhobbyblades.com/product_info.php?cPath=45&products_id=713) and always use #16 blades (these: http://www.use-enco.com/1/1/50095-20016-excel-replacement-hobby-knife-carbon-steel-knife-blades.html...

What about you two?

BTW - both your shops are gorgeous. Both in my "favourites" now!

[CuttingPixels]

I struggle with wanting to do larger more intricate pieces, but knowing they won't sell for the price I'd need to make it worth my time.

I use a comfort grip knife, I think it's xacto, its pink. And I use number 11 precision blades. I'm kind of surprised youre able to get so detailed using such a thick blade. Impressive!

[lightpaper]

I've tried using the straight blades but I find that I can do circular cuts more easily with the #16 blade because its curved at the top....maybe I should give #11 precision blade another try tho!

[WashingtonCuts]

I agree with Ali, I pay myself by the hour and that is based on how long it took me to cut the art plus my materials and Etsy/ Pay pal fees. I am always surprised at how low some shops sell their paper cuttings.
Question: Do you think it pays to include a category for laser cuts and have items for that only. Would that take away from your original paper cut sales?

[lightpaper]

I always think the same thing! I currently don't sell anything lasercut, but I have considered it. I am really torn though - I don't want it to take away from the appeal of my handcut pieces. And I'm worried that if I began to lasercut pieces that I would never handcut anything anymore....