Signs 365 What's your mark up?

[dynaminator]

I've just started using signs 365. I have a client that is a company with their own design dept. They sent me print ready artwork for 5 48" x 96" banners. My s365 order with shipping cost me $210 and I charged the $475 so that's 126% mark up. Now they are sending me one offs. Just curious how you all think about pricing in these scenarios?

 

[visual800]

dont you hate it when people do this crap! well you are still making good money one offs if they are a good client i would leave it alone....if they are a pita i would raise it

 

[unclebun]

I don't know why you would be upset at someone wanting a single banner. It's a banner you're selling them that requires minimal investment of time.

I sell banners at the same price whether I print them or I have S365 print them. Which is nearly 5 times their square foot cost. If you're only adding 127% to the cost you're leaving a lot of money on the table.

 

[Decent Digitizing]

You're doing great with that markup — 126% on a bulk order is solid. When it comes to one-off jobs, though, the key is to factor in your time, risk, and handling costs.
Here’s how I usually handle it
1) I set a flat minimum profit I need to make (e.g., $50–$75), even for small runs.
2) Even if the file is print-ready, you’re still doing order processing, proofing, and logistics.
3) I usually mark up the shipping too, or at least bundle it into a flat rate.
4) Since they have a design department, they understand value — just be transparent and professional about your costs.

One-offs shouldn’t bring your margin down too much — you’re not just selling print, you’re selling service, reliability, and speed.

 

[Brian2345]

50-56% margin for subbed banners. I will go lower if I can line up a large quantity.

 

[jimbug72]

We charge the same rate as if we did it in house using our HP315 even though on bulk orders S365 can be much lower cost after materials/labor. That way, if for some reason or another we have to run a bulk order in house we don't lose $ and customer isn't mad because we have to charge more for that job. If it's something we can't do in house, we mark up 100-300% depending on the job/customer. This pricing is of course separate from any design fees.

 

[dynaminator]

I don't know why you would be upset at someone wanting a single banner. It's a banner you're selling them that requires minimal investment of time.

I sell banners at the same price whether I print them or I have S365 print them. Which is nearly 5 times their square foot cost. If you're only adding 127% to the cost you're leaving a lot of money on the table.

Ya, I don't like leaving money on the table! I guess my markup was actually 226% not 126%. So this last one off they sent was a 48" x 96" single sided 13 oz banner. My cost with shipping from s365 was $50. You would charge about $250 then? I haven't billed them yet. I hope I didn't shoot myself in the foot by not charging enough on that first order.

 

[unclebun]

I am not including shipping when I say nearly 5 times. I am comparing their square foot price ($1.25) to mine. I sell a 4x8 banner for $192.

If you do a 226% price including shipping, you're getting $3.50/sq ft. We were charging that 20 years ago when gas was cheap and rent was half what we pay now.

 

[JBurton]

I hope I didn't shoot myself in the foot by not charging enough on that first order.

Nope, when they come back with why is this so much more, be it on a repeat order or one off, you can let them know that the setup and finishing costs are associated with one or five, quantity saves cash. If it's the same size order, mark it where you want it, then let them know you fumbled pricing on their first project, but since it was in their favor, you didn't see any reason to inform them.
My banner pricing scheme is every time I hit print, $50, every individual banner I have to trim and grommet, $50 (this can go up if it's a 20' long banner or they want grommets ever 6"), then take the square footage of material consumed, times the cost, times my 2.5 markup, add them together and boom. This is assuming they have their design ready to go and don't need a sample print, they haven't wasted my time with 20 emails, and assuming it doesn't 'look' too cheap to me.
I tend to make way more money if I can sell them a 2" tube frame with installation.

 

[kcollinsdesign]

I charge $160 for a 4' x 8' banner (13oz. vinyl with hems and grommets). Art and installation are charged at our regular shop rate (usually around $85/hour; more if aerial equipment is involved).

The typical banner customer will take one look at my price, and 70% of them will decide to buy their banner from an internet seller (around $100 with shipping for a 4' x 8'). The clients that stay with me are experienced buyers and regular clients that understand the value we bring to the table.

Note 1: Many people who buy their banners and signs from internet suppliers will come around and ask us to install them. We charge our regular rates, and add 20%.

Note 2: If banners are part of a larger project, I will sell them for about the same price as the internet companies (my cost plus shipping with a 40% profit margin). Of course, I stopped printing in house years ago. Why would I when I can buy banners from a reliable, high-quality wholesale supplier for $1.25/.sq. ft. and not have to keep and maintain expensive equipment, inventory, and pay people to make them?

 

[Johnny Best]

I double the price and to keep shipping downby having it shipped to a FedEx office by the airport, which is15 minutes away from me.

 

[Adam Display]

I had an issue with a customer lately. $350 to print and install a 3'x 8' banner with our bucket truck on his storefront.

He instead told me I see these online for 1/3rd the price and informed me he paid $100 from Vista print using my artwork that I gave him which he could've also used S365. He asked why I was so expensive.

I later informed him that I refuse to put it up as I cannot be liable for it (material /quality) and stated that my $350 price included manufacturing, artwork, installation (bucket truck and 2 guys), the guarantee and the trip out to him. He will no longer question my pricing and will instead ask for suggestions. My price to install his banner is $250. So the price is still $350 whether he bought it from me or not. But I like to emphasize you get my guarantee and quality.

Similarly in line with Kcollinsdesign. BUT Instead of pricing out each line item. I will say my price includes all of the following and I am unwilling to itemize it.

Long story short, just because there's prices online for 1/4 1/8 our prices, you CAN justify them.

 

[unclebun]

I am not sure what the argument is about. First, your installation price using a bucket truck is absurdly low. Second, the difference in price between Vista ($100) and yours is clearly because you installed it. Personally, I charge more for banners than $100 for a 3x8 and $250 for a lift installation. But if those are your prices, you are not more expensive than his claim of a $100 banner from Vista. Unless Vista will come out and install it on his storefront for $100. Guarantee and quality don't even have to enter into it.

 

[Gino]

Ya did right not installing someone else's supplied goods.
I agree, your pricing needs a time check, those are some old prices.
Usually, no one gets the artwork until after they give a deposit.
Quote would include..... design, 2 revisions, proper material being used, manufacturing the project, installation, but permits are not included.

 

[Smoke_Jaguar]

Wait, people pay $42 for 4'x8' banners? I thought I was overcharging at $20. Though, I don't hem them or anything, but if you ask nicely, I will loan you my stapler.