How to Price Laser-Engraved Products for Profit: The 4-to-6 Rule I Swear By

As my husband and I have continued to scale our business, people often ask me how I price my products.

The answer is simpler than you think. I follow the 4-to-6 rule of pricing, which gives me an easy way to calculate prices and makes sure my business stays profitable.

What’s the 4-to-6 rule, you ask? Keep reading to find out.

Introducing the 4-to-6 Rule

From my very first year in business, I understood that my time was valuable. I needed a pricing model that would reflect the cost of the blank, my labor, and the wear and tear on my machine, while still accounting for a healthy profit margin.

That’s why, when I choose my products, I aim to price the item at four to six times what I paid for the blank itself. (This is for selling directly to customers, not wholesale or bulk pricing.)

In other words, if I buy a cutting board blank for $10, I’m going to sell the completed product for $40 to $60 (not including shipping).

It sounds easy, but I know that many business owners struggle to price their products that high.

So let’s talk about why you should consider raising your prices in your business.

Why Price Your Products This Way?

Whether your business is new or established, there are a ton of benefits to widening your profit margin:

• You become a premium-level business. This brings you repeat customers and higher customer satisfaction.
• You’re able to offer discounts and sales. Even if you give customers 10% off for bulk discounts or sales, you won’t lose money.
• You can cover business-related costs and investments. Your revenue pays for more than just the blanks you use. You also need to pay yourself, repair your machines, and buy supplies.
• You don’t have to raise prices later. It’s really hard to raise prices that are already established. That’s why I recommend new businesses to start with plenty of margin in their pricing.

Now, I’m sure you’re thinking, okay Sumita, but I’ve tried to price my products like that and it didn’t work for me.

I totally understand. But I want you to know that it is possible if you know what you’re doing.

Let’s look at what you can do to raise your prices and still get the sale.

How to Make Premium Pricing Work For Your Business

#1 - Choose Blanks Wisely

This pricing strategy only works if you’re smart about the blanks you choose.

I have a four-point checklist that I live by when choosing the blanks I use for my products.

1. Is it easily engravable or printable? My motto is “easy in, easy out.” I need products that I can load into my UV printer or engraver and then package up to go. One of my go-tos is MakerFlo blanks because they come pre-packaged and ready to customize.
2. Is it easy to source? I only work with suppliers who are consistent with stock and quality. Your customers will expect to find your most popular items year-round, so reliable, high-quality sourcing from suppliers (like MakerFlo!) is key.
3. Does it meet my 4-to-6x margin? If adding my margin pushes the price too high for my target customer, I won’t sell the product.
4. Does it appeal to a wide audience AND my target audience? I look for items like cutting boards, coasters, and tumblers that many people would use or give as gifts. Then I think about my target customer—in my case, women aged 25 to 65—and whether they would purchase it, too.

#2 - Create a Premium Brand

So what’s the difference between businesses that can’t sell at premium prices and those that can?

In my experience, I've found that it’s all about branding, the experience you offer, and your sales strategy.

At Home Bound Custom Decor, we've positioned ourselves as a quality brand. Not necessarily a luxury one, but one where the price reflects the value.

Here are five things you can do to create a brand that commands premium prices:

• Make beautiful products. Choose great blanks and make products with care.
• Take great product photos. Clear, bright, and high-quality photos are key. (See our Instagram account @homeboundcustomdecor for examples.)
• Pay attention to your visuals. Do you use the same brand colors across your packaging, social media, and website? Does your design have a “premium” feel to it?
• Create a professional-looking website. Is your website well-designed, full of great photos, and easy to use?
• Provide amazing customer service. Brand goes beyond how you look. People are happy to pay a premium for products made with care and excellent service.

#3 - Look Outside Your Local Area

One more strategy is to take your business beyond your local community.

These days, you can sell online, find an audience on social media, or list your products on Etsy.

So even if you find yourself in an area where no one is willing to pay premium prices, you can still find your perfect-fit customers elsewhere.

Final Thoughts

Pricing your engraved products doesn’t have to be complicated. By following the 4-to-6 rule, you can stay profitable and elevate your business to a premium level.

If you’re looking for affordable yet premium-quality blanks that work with this pricing method, check out MakerFlo’s full collection of laser engraving blanks here.

And if you want to see more from me, join me in my free Home Bound Laser Engraving & UV Printing Learning Community. You can also follow my business on Instagram and Facebook.

Thank you, Sumita, for sharing your insights with us! Connect with MakerFlo by joining our free MakerFlo Makers Community and following us on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

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