How do you price custom titanium anodizing work? (Design + anodizing)
Hi everyone!
I’m based in Poland, so I know prices vary depending on the country, but I’d really appreciate hearing how those of you already doing titanium anodizing professionally approach pricing your work.
I’m still fairly new to anodizing, so I’m trying to build a pricing structure that’s fair both for my clients and for myself.
I recently completed my first larger project for a bicycle company. They provided me with their logo, company name, head tube logo and slogan, but I designed the rest of the artwork myself. That included creating the overall concept, multiple custom graphics, adapting them to the frame, preparing the masks, anodizing, testing colors, and making adjustments throughout the process.
At the moment I’m anodizing up to 62V (no strong chemical coloring yet), but there is still a lot of preparation, masking, cleaning, polishing, testing and material involved.
I’d really appreciate some advice from people already in the business.
My questions:
1. How do you price your anodizing work?
Hourly rate?
Fixed price per project?
Price per graphic?
Price based on frame coverage or complexity?
Some combination of these?
2. How do you charge for the design work itself?
For me, creating the artwork often takes as much time as the anodizing itself. Designing a concept that flows across the frame, fits the customer’s vision and is actually possible to anodize can take many hours.
Do you:
charge separately for design?
include it in the anodizing price?
own the artwork afterwards or transfer the rights to the client?
3. How do you estimate the value of custom artwork?
For example:
one simple logo
several custom graphics
a complete themed design across the whole frame
Is there any rule of thumb you follow?
4. Do you charge differently for B2B customers versus private clients?
For example:
bicycle brands
frame builders
individual customers
Or is your pricing essentially the same?
5. What expenses do you include when calculating your price?
Besides the obvious materials, do you also account for:
stencil material
failed test pieces
electricity
equipment wear
design time
consultation with the client
revisions
masking and cleaning time
6. If you were starting again today, what would you do differently regarding pricing?
I think this is probably where I need the most advice. I don’t want to undervalue my work just because I’m new, but I also don’t want to overprice it without having enough experience.
I’ve attached a few photos of the project for context so you can see the amount of work involved.
I’d really appreciate any advice, examples or even rough price ranges. I’m here to learn, and I know my efficiency will improve with experience.
Thanks a lot in advance!