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hi guys, i recently started to do commission paintings down at my local GW, and i have no idea of what average prices are XD. i looked around online and i cam up with what i hope is a decent charge per model.

please can you guys just look over it and tell me what you think about whether its reasonable or not

thanks

demestos

Without having seen your work (no gallery images) its hard to gauge realistically what you should be charging, that said alot of your prices come across as something on the cheap side to me, but that may well be because they are lower than I would charge, and realistically it wouldnt be worth my time if I charged 50p per infantry model (let alone painting costs).

My rates currently are at a level where I can enjoy painting, do it well and provide a level service for people who want their models painted. At 50p per infantry I think you run a risk of potentially draining any enjoyment you get out of the models as you're trying to batch paint a tonne at a time to make your time worth it.

To summarise, an image of what each level of quality represents would help, dont undercost yourself.

I've uploaded some of my more recent work to my gallery with the standard of painting i think they are roughly. The astral claws (mainly atm) are of gold standard because although the highlighting is not particularly amazing, they have alot of extra work on the such as the directional lighting, free handing and lighting effects on the power weapons.

Please have a look and let me know if you think i judge the paint standard about right, and if you think i should then alter my prices at all

Thanks

The pics are all of a good tabletop standard.

You at starting a business, treat it as such.

How much do your materials cost
What is the cost of wear to your tools
What is your time worth

You could always cheat and get a quote from someone else...

Thanks for the help guys!

So, I've played about with my prices a bit and come up with this (see link)

Thinking more along the lines of starting a business: i wouldn't consider the cost of paint and wear to brushes etc. as considerably high, and so these are almost negligible or can be paid for by the 50% model price, seeing as the larger the model the more paint etc. With regards to my time, i would hope that i could raise my prices over time as business would grow and demand would increase.

I was also thinking of adding discounts for larger armies in order to encourage people to 'buy in bulk'. Something along the lines of a 5% discount per 750 points, to a max of a 15% discount?

thanks again for the help

750 point of Orks and Nids is a lot more than 750 Points of Marines

With any business, price based on competition and how much there's a need for your services

If there's no local competition you set your price. If no one's biting then you should probably lower your price or offer deals (2 for 1) etc... to generate some business and get references.

First you should figure out your time to paint a model, plus your material costs. How much an hour do you want to make? Use that to figure out your price. Compare that to your competition, adjust from there

I'll say this for you, if you can manage to produce good level miniatures at these prices you may well be one of the cheapest commision painting services out there. I'd still be concerned that you're underpricing yourself, especially when you start throwing in discount. (i.e. an ork player wants 2000 points of just boys painted, you tell him you'll give a 15% discount. You're now painting for 42.5p a piece per boy). If you can paint at this level and this price then good on you, but pricing this low would kill my desire to paint at all.

So it seems as though i should raise prices a bit more, i don't think there is much competition with regards to business in my local area. Perhaps not give the discounts then, until i'm getting enough business as to raise my prices. I enjoy painting, and the original idea of starting the business was so that i could be able to paint a variety of models and make a bit extra on the side.

However, judging by the comments i think i should raise my prices as 2,000pts of ork boyz would be allot of painting XD and i wouldnt want to have to put myself through that for 43p a boy!

if i was to raise my prices, how much would you guys recommend raising them by? as i still have little experience in this indusrty :p

thanks again


Automatically Appended Next Post:
I could paint roughly 5 of my astral claws in 2 days

I was thinking of changing the model price percentage charge to 75%, meaning for a squad of 10 marines painted to gold standard (say my astral claws) then that would be £38.25

do you guys think that would be a better pricing?

From a person who has used a commission painter before. Do the 1st bits of work at a lower price, highest standard of work you can do and include excellent communication and updates,I cannot stress the importance of regular updates.

Hopefully this will land you a right fat juicy commission on a regular basis from the same quick paying customer=your a happy bunny.

I think commission work is hard, low paying work unless you get that regular customer who is always wanting work done.


Hope its helps and get lucky