How Much Should I Charge For Face Painting?

Face painting is a fun job that can turn into a business if you put enough time and effort into the process. If you're getting started with a face painting business, you might wonder how much you should charge for face painting. What's the correct amount to ask your customers to pay you for your services?

On average, most face painters charge around $150 for their services. When deciding what you should charge, consider:

  • Your experience level
  • The cost of supplies
  • Time spent on the job

These, and a few more things, will help you determine how much you should charge.

Read on to learn more about what you can examine to conclude the price of face painting. There's a lot to consider, whether you're just getting started with the job or trying to rebrand yourself with a new price point. Understanding what goes into a price will help you select an amount that will work for both you and your customers.

Consider Your Experience Level

When determining your cost, experience level is a big factor. Most of the time, less experience means you should charge less money. You likely are not a professional at painting quite yet, and you may not have mastered your designs. You can start with a lower price and raise it as you gain experience.

Some examples of prices based on skill levels include:

  • Beginners: Beginners can make anything from about $4-$20 an hour, which can quickly improve as more time is spent on a face-painting career.
  • Experts: An expert face painter should earn between $40-$70 an hour for their professional services.

You can play with these prices depending on your experience level. You'll notice when you advance in your skills.

This factor can give you a starting point for determining a price for your services. We'll dive a little further into other details that can shift and morph this price into something that will work well for what you're trying to do with your company.

Determine How Much Your Supplies Cost

Next, you'll need to consider how much your supplies cost. If you charge an amount too low, the cost of supplies can negate any earnings you make. By adding up the cost of supplies per month, you can determine the minimum you need to charge for your services. This amount can be combined with your experience level to find a cost.

Although some supplies don't need replacement often, some will need a substitution every month or so. This necessity can make a dent in your income, particularly if you're investing in quality paints for your company. Charge enough to make what you're doing worth it, so your supplies don't get rid of the hard work you put in.

Calculate Time Spent on the Job

Time is money, and money is time. You'll need to add up the time you spend on the job to help determine what your price point will end up at for consumers. This includes time spent painting faces, time traveling to and from the event, and time spent setting up and taking down your space wherever you're entertaining.

Some of the items you might consider for payment include:

  • The time it takes to get to and from the location
  • Hours it takes to get ready

These are just a few of the things you'll need to consider when determining how much you receive.

Some events take more time to set up for than others. The gig you're working for can impact how much you should ask for after the event.

Judge the Event You're Working For

Different events can afford to pay you different amounts. A family birthday party won't have the capacity to pay you as much as a professional fair or carnival. If you want to shift your rates, make sure you judge the event you're headed to for your gig. Don't charge too much for something small, and don't charge too little for something big.

It's up to you to determine which events should be an upcharge and which should be down charged. It should be simple to determine once you get to know the people hiring you and the labor they'll require of you on the job. You know your experience level, and just how much you're worth in the end.

Hourly vs. Flat Rate

Once you've considered all the factors that go into your price, you'll also need to determine how you're going to charge. Will you do hourly, or a flat rate? Each of these can bring in a different revenue, so it's critical to consider what you'll be getting with each of these options.

Some benefits included with each of these rates include:

  • Hourly rates: You can earn more based on the hours you work. More hours means more money.
  • Flat rates: You can get your rate upfront, and you know exactly how much you'll receive.

You can judge for yourself which will work best for you.

Once you've determined the rate you'd like to charge, you should have all the pieces to the puzzle. You can decide a price for the gig you're working without too much deliberation beforehand.

Conclusion

Determining a price for your customers to pay is one of the trickiest parts of starting any business. As a face painter, it can be especially difficult. There are many factors to consider, from the event you're working for to the money you put into the supplies you use. All of them can change what you ask your customers to pay.

Once you find a sweet spot for your face-painting talent, customers will flock to you and your business. You can even shift your price depending on the gig you have. You can charge more for big events and less for smaller ones. Now that you have a better idea of how pricing works for face painting, you can figure out what to do with your business and make it even better.

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