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SRabbitWork β Undercharging Sculptures?
Published: 2019-08-22 01:26:18 +0000 UTC; Views: 626; Favourites: 0; Downloads: 0
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Will delete later but...
I just wanted to put my thoughts out since this has been something I can't stop thinking about.
What mainly triggered this whole thing was seeing someone who had just started to make their first sculpture, not even complete yet, say they would charge $800+ for commissions. They said it would be 1:6 scale, so about 12 inches tall. The next sculpture commission I've seen that were to cost about as much was from someone who is more experienced, wanting to charge $700-$1,100. Not sure about the size on that one, it just said medium/large. Another more established sculptor I know of sells their smallest sized sculpts (3 inches) for $200-$400. Then there's this other sculptor who sells 2 inch figures for $200!
While I'm here selling 2.5in/3in figures for $55, and the max I've made off a sculpture was $150 (my largest ones, being about 7 inches tall)
It's difficult because I feel though my prices are affordable, these sculptures take a lot of time and effort to make. That's probably why sculptors mainly charge over $100, even for something small. I really love that I can have a good bunch of commissions to work on, but the downside is with all the time it takes to make them, the money I've made from them doesn't add up to how long it'll take to complete all of them (especially the larger ones). I also just don't feel too comfortable charging $55 (3") anymore. Most figures made by artist at 3 inches are AT LEAST $100. But I also don't feel comfortable charging that much, because would people still buy them? Would I still be getting business on my most popular order if the price nearly doubled? Should I bump up the minimum amount to $70, and the more complex small n chibi figures be $100? Or just go straight to $100 being the minimum? Should I start charging more for my larger sculpts as well? Could I really make sells for 7 inch sculptures going for $400? Are the things I produce even worth these amounts?
I'm just conflicted ;-; My clay figures are my main source of income right now, so it worth the risk raising the price and having less people buying? idk idk hhhhhh
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Comments: 13
I've found, in my own experience, that it's not so much that your art isn't worth the jump, it's just that folks are either well funded, or dead poor, no middle ground, and some tend to be kinda rude about it because of this?? Almost like they justify getting heated because they constantly can't afford it when an artist raises their prices. (Tho I will say, no matter the skill, when folks are asking like $800+ on a single object it starts to feel a little pretentious, even if that's what art is?? I got quoted $800 for plushing a character when the base price was $200 and all other "difficult" characters were slapped with a +$100 difficulty fee, the artist never explained the extra $500 and WHY it was necessary? )
Weird Examples:
- I upped my work from $15 to $25 and got several angry notes from different people because they were upset that they couldn't afford it (Understandable but also plz don't bug artists like thiss???) The amount of backlash is partially why I don't do open commissions anymore @@;;
- Some folks, like myself, have to be able to justify spending over a certain number? So it's not so much that you're not affordable, it's more "What is the justification on my end for spending this much?" and then spirals even deeper into the world of art and commissions...because why buy this one portrait when the same can cover a bag of groceries
THAT SAID: It's 100% up to you to price your work! If you're not feeling compensated for your time and effort, then by all means you should set the rates so that they will reflect that and you can keep working. If you're currently enjoying the whole process, maybe only go up a small increment to help cover costs. The main thing you want is to not burn out on the projects. Once you've become burnt out, it becomes work, then becomes overbearing. As long as you're having fun, and feel compensated, then you should be fine!
Commissioners come in waves: Just because it's slow now doesn't mean the same slow will occur even a month later. Alot of times I've also found that people spring up left right and sideways after their paydays. It all just depends on timing and the general wealth of the community.
(I think I just wrote 4 paragraphs of nonsense otl;; )
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Yeah man doing commissions you start to see people who get heated at you for things that aren't convenient to them ;-; there's like a sense of entitlement sometimes. It's interesting to hear people get upset BEFORE they even commission. They have not paid you, they aren't entitled to anything at this point. That's wild. $15 to $25 is a reasonable increase!
ALSO DAMN $200 to $800 ;_______; Did you ever ask em why it skyrocketed up so much? I tend to charge more for wings, clothing, hairstyles, just things that will take extra time to sculpt or paint. I don't ever explain the increase, but if anyone asked I'd definitely let 'em know!
And yeah, I suppose the good thing about the price increase is potentially slightly less customers, which means less work, which means less rush, which means more time to take it easy and not stress over something I enjoy.
NO MAN EVERYTHING YOU SAID MAKES PERFECT SENSE ;A; <333 It really helps me out to hear other perspectives. It's like a slap in the face with reality when I have a clouded head myself. I totally agree with every point you've made and appreciate your comment man ;w; <33
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(Omg I will never get over how cute your icon is, I got distracted)
It has to do with the character having a certain amount of colors and the difficulty of I think altering an existing pattern? And I think maybe a confidence factor on the artistsβs half, this was a few years ago now. Somehow it pushed me to make all my OCβs even more complex to prove they can exist xD;;
Ahh glad to be of any help! ; 0; <3
Itβs so great to watch the progress of your sculpting, each new cutie shows the love and improvement, you can tell you take your time to get everything right and perfect and should def be compensated for that hard work <3
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Β I recall in art commissions,Β I started with $1 with a lot of interest and overwork myself and then realize as the years go by, I could charge it with $25 and at least get one to buy and that could work for the day, but of course people already understand that my brand can really provide good work. Quality on quantity
Try increasing your price slowly, people can already see the amount of details you put in your sculptures. I'm sure people would understand. ^^ $75 could be a reasonable price as people may be overwhelm with the big leap of price increase and maybe charge more next year. I'm sure you keep one getting better and better as months progress .
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I started of doing $1 as well! But you're right. When you put it into perspective, charging more could mean less customers, but a better work system. It's helped me put it into perspective that even if I lose potential buyer's there will still be those willing to pay the new prices, and that'll help fill in the gaps for those who dropped interests over time.
I've decided to make the minimum 70 as well as add another cheaper, easier to make option. Just to help cater to those who want something but have a smaller budget ;w;
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Before you go to 100, change it to 70 first and see how well that works
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That's a good idea! Less of a big jump, and over time as I improve, I'll feel more comfortable charging the $100 minimum
I may include an even simpler design underneath my smallest style....something that could be a more affordable $30/$50, and is easier to make...hmm..
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i would definitely still buy your figures if you raised your prices!! i feel like a lot of people would, especially when it comes to your quality!
the people who want to support you will still support you. a minimum of $70 or a price range for more complex designs like what the person below me suggested sounds perfect.
the main problem, i feel like, is simply deviantart. a majority of the community is minors who don't have jobs/sources of income, so they aren't willing to spend a lot of money and also get impatient when it comes to getting their art << but you'd still get customers!!
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skjhdskf thank you that's really helpful to hear ;; <33
And yes! I totally get what you mean! It's a big reason why I'm afraid to charge more. Less business, as well as less people being able to afford something they'd like ;_____;
I've seen artist go from deviantart to furaffinity saying how there are people willing to pay more over there without question for art, unlike here where the pricing has to be particular. Unfortunately my following on FA is a few shy of 100 while my following here is almost 500. I have less reach ;-;Β
But then again you have people here throwing $100+ for adoptables all the time so maybe there is a good amount of those who can afford something a bit more pricey?
Thank you for your feedback ;;w;; It's really nice to hear from someone that a price jump won't spook them away
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Ugh, this whole discussion is why it's so hard to price commissions. I know how you feel, I feel the same way when I think about pricing my own work. I raised my prices and got substantially lower interest...
I'm not really sure what to tell you other than perhaps take a survey or poll to see if people would still be willing to pay a higher price, and if not, perhaps just slowly increase the prices over time, or have a price range with the more complex designs costing more.
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It especially hurts when you raise them specifically to better fit the labor (and not just because you want more money) and then there's a drop in sales thus a drop in support
I'm sure if I took a poll most would prefer the price to stay the same, being the least amount possible ;-; Another friend suggested the increase over time as well, which is sounding like the best option. That way there's still time to grow in popularity and in skill, to better fit both demand and overall value.
When I re-open commissions I may have to bump the little ones up by 5 or 10 dollars. The large ones are definitely under priced, so they may even be bumped up by another 100. I dunno yet. We'll see ;;
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Yeah, I agree with all of that. Pricing commissions, especially in this community, is super tough... your work is excellent though 
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New plan, the smallest ones will be $70 minimum, and I may try to develop an even simpler design that could fall underneath that for like $30. I have some ideas ;w;
Best of luck with your commissions as well friend! <33
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