Stop Undercutting Your Art: 3 Crucial Pricing Mistakes We Make

Pricing handmade work is one of the hardest parts of being a creator. We pour our time, heart, and skill into what we make—yet somehow when it's time to put a number on it, everything gets complicated.

If you’ve ever stared at a price tag wondering whether it’s too high, too low, or too much to ask, you’re not alone. Thousands of talented artists struggle with pricing—not because our work lacks value, but because no one teaches us how to recognize that value in the first place.

Here are three of the most common pricing mistakes creators make, plus practical ways to crush the doubt.

Mistake #1: Charging Based on What You Think People Will Pay

Many artists price emotionally:

“Would a customer pay $30 for this?” Maybe $25? Maybe $18, so they don’t think it’s expensive?”

Pricing based on assumed customer comfort instead of real production cost, we end up undercutting ourselves—and training our audience to expect our work at bargain rates.

Fix it:

Start with the essentials. Your price should reflect the true value of your work—not your fear of losing a sale.

Factor in:

• Time spent creating
• Material costs
• Tools + wear-and-tear
• Packaging and shipping
• Platform, vendor, or processing fees
• A profit margin that supports your livelihood

Mistake #2: Forgetting to Pay Yourself Like a Professional

Artists often remember materials but completely forget labor—as if their time is free. Spoiler: the world runs on creative labor, and yours is worth paying for.

Ask yourself honestly:

• If a friend hired you to make this same piece, what would be a fair hourly wage?   $15/hour? $25? $40?

Your rate should reflect your skill, not minimum wage. You are not a factory—you're an expert.

Fix it:

Assign yourself an hourly rate. Track your time.

Then apply this formula:

     Materials} + (Hours x Hourly Rate) + Profit Margin = Your Price

Fair pricing sustains your art, your energy, and your future.

Mistake #3: Comparing Yourself to Others Instead of Your Own Value

It’s easy to scroll Etsy or Instagram and think, “They sold theirs for $20—I should too.”

But you never see their overhead, their time, their skill level, or the compromises they’re making just to stay afloat.

Pricing by comparison keeps you small.

Fix it:

Look outward for inspiration—not validation. Look inward for value.

Ask:

• What makes my process unique?
• What skill have I spent years refining?
• What experience does the buyer receive beyond the object itself?

Confidence isn’t arrogance. It’s clarity.

Your Work Deserves More Than “Just Enough.”

You are not selling a product—you’re selling creativity, craft, time, and a piece of your story. When you price with confidence, you signal to the world that handmade work matters… because it does.

Ready to Price Confidently and Join a Supportive Home?

At peddl, we believe artists should keep more of their hard-earned money and be celebrated for their value. Join the peddl community today and find the freedom to price your work correctly.  Join us now!