How much to charge for handmade pottery
Handmade pottery is priced from materials, firing, and labor, then marked up. The hidden cost is failure: pieces crack and glazes go wrong, so your pricing has to cover the ones that never make it out of the kiln.
You should charge
$49
per piece · typical $20–$150
Why this number. Build kiln losses into your price; a portion of every batch will crack or craze, and the surviving pieces have to cover them. Pricing as if every piece succeeds is how potters quietly work at a loss.
Typical handmade pottery prices
| Job | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Mug | $25 – $60 |
| Bowl or vase | $40 – $120 |
| Large / decorative piece | $100 – $400 |
Also common: Many potters use (materials + firing) × 2.5 plus labor.
What changes the price
- Size and complexity
- Glaze and firing cost
- Wheel-thrown vs. hand-built
- Functional vs. decorative
The pricing move most people miss
Build kiln losses into your price; a portion of every batch will crack or craze, and the surviving pieces have to cover them. Pricing as if every piece succeeds is how potters quietly work at a loss.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I charge for handmade pottery?+
Most handmade pottery is priced $20–$150 per piece, with a typical rate around $50 per piece. Where you land inside that range comes down mainly to size and complexity and glaze and firing cost. Use the range as your anchor, then adjust up for experience, strong demand, and a higher cost-of-living area.
What is the best way to price handmade pottery?+
Most handmade pottery is priced per piece, which is easy for clients to understand. Set a clear minimum so small jobs still cover your time and travel, and bundle add-ons into packages to lift the average ticket rather than discounting. Many potters use (materials + firing) × 2.5 plus labor.
How much should I charge for handmade pottery as a beginner?+
Starting out, price near the lower end of the range, roughly $20 to $50 per piece. Resist going below that to win work: a price that is too low attracts price-shoppers, signals low quality, and is hard to raise later. Once you have a few happy clients and reviews, move toward $150.
How do I price handmade pottery without underselling myself?+
Price from a formula, not a feeling. Many potters use (materials + firing) × 2.5 plus labor. Count every hour, including design, sourcing, and packaging, and pay yourself a real wage for them. Build kiln losses into your price; a portion of every batch will crack or craze, and the surviving pieces have to cover them. Pricing as if every piece succeeds is how potters quietly work at a loss.
How do I quote handmade pottery so the client says yes?+
Build kiln losses into your price; a portion of every batch will crack or craze, and the surviving pieces have to cover them. Pricing as if every piece succeeds is how potters quietly work at a loss. Put the quote in writing with exactly what is included, state the price once without apologizing for it, and give one clear next step. A confident, well-structured quote wins jobs at a higher price than a vague one at a lower price.