I was recently asked this question on the blog, and I’d love to give you a straight up answer, but alas, I can’t! There are heaps of different things to consider when it comes to pricing your face painting services, so instead of giving you one number, I’m going to tell you what to consider, so that you can come up with your own prices that are fair to both you and your customers.
Now ask yourselves these questions:
Where do you live or What area do you want to work in?
This is important because the area that you work in will factor into how much you can reasonably charge. So do a little research, find out how much is being charged by other face painters, and have a look at the quality and speed of their work. This at the very least should give you a ball park to start from.
How much experience do you have with face painting?
If you’re completely new, chances are you’re not as quick as those who have been doing it for years. So if it takes you say, 8 minutes to do a design, you’re not going to get away with charging the same amount per hour as someone who can paint the same design in 4 minutes.
What kind of event are you painting at?
If its a charity event, you can choose to give a discount. Some painters even charge just to cover expenses.
Are you supplying the face paints or are they?
You might get an event where its provided for you, not very likely but still possible and if so you can give a discount. Remember a professional face paints kit- including face paints, brushes, glitter etc can cost anywhere from $150-$300, so your materials really need to be factored into the equation. But don’t think you have to go out and buy a professional kit for your first gig, start with a smaller kit, make some money and then invest in a professional kit when you can afford it.
I’ll post Part 2 and possibly Part 3 of ”How Much Should I Charge for Face Painting?” in the next week or two to come, so stay tuned to find out more. If you have any questions about what I’ve posted so far, or have something to add, leave a comment. And have a great day!
Happy Face Painting 
Philadelphia Tivoli
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{ 20 comments… read them below or add one }
Howdy All!
Since face painting is just a part of my clown services, I don’t have to charge for it specifically. But in researching what to charge for my services, I saw that it could get pretty expensive for a customer. But I learned that if I kept my services sweet and simple I could set my fee a little lower than other clowns and get the customers who fell through the cracks. As a clown, my ability to interact with the children in a personable way has been my biggest asset. When I step through the door and say, “Look at these wonderful kids! I’ve gotta take a picture of them!”, then squirt them with my trick camera they begin to have a ball and, quite frankly, so do I!
I generally charge £2 per full face and £1 for cheek art. If I get lots of customers then I know its a good price, but if its quiet i lower the price. I find that once a few kids have their faces done then more want the same!
You know, it’s so very important to consider the price of your materials when setting a price. You can’t charge a nice fee and use cheap products or do less that stellar work. I learned that the hard way. I made a mistake in my early days of face painting. Since I couldn’t paint very well I figured a few stencils would help me out. Well, I got the notion to make my own instead of buying some. All I can say is it was a big mess! I made the stencils by downloading a design on paper and having the sheet laminated. Next, I cut out the design and that’s where the problem started. First, it was murder on my hands to cut and next, some of the finer parts of the design would get messed up in cutting. When I put the stencil on a kid’s cheek, the paint would either run or was unrecognizable! I felt so bad because some of the older youth had been waiting a long time because they let the younger ones go first. For them to finally be able to sit down and I mess up their design almost brought me to tears! Since then, I was determined to learn to face paint and buy better products.
Hi there! Im just getting started on the facepainting business for proper and its great to have so much information at hand! Great tips and advice!
Hi,
I live and work in London, been face painting for over three years. The pricing is tricky – but I have become quite tough! The reason I am responding is because you mention discounts for charity – beware!! Last Christmas we organised a children’s entertainer and a face painter, we had worked for this company before, they are a very well known motel chain, and we are still waiting for payment (as of October 2010). We now do 2 charity events per year, one for our local school and one for a local church, other than that we charge. If it is part of the package, I charge 25 pounds per hour, if I work alone, I charge double that.
For festivals or all day events, I have found it useful to enquire about their budget – for example, in August I did 2 days – 4 hours each and charged 500 pounds. This might seem high – we are in London, but I did buy in a lot of temporary tattoos at the last minute, which means expensive, and, we had to wait 8 weeks for payment – this is quite normal here. I would advise anyone wishing to work for a local council to first get on their approved suppliers’ list, you just give your details and produce your CRB (police check), then they pay much quicker.
For individual faces, I charge 2.50 (sterling) per face, as I said, I have become tougher, worked my fingers off and used loads of paints for less in the beginning!
Love this site
Regards to all,
Maggie
Maggie,
Thanks so much for your very detailed comment . I’ve been face painting in Dublin for a year, so the neighbour’s help is especially useful. I find it sometimes that people here do not relate to the fp business seriously and consider it a charity activity. Trying to change public attitude isn’t easy:)… Best of luck.
Forgive me, but I don’t know what sterling,pounds or L2 is can someone translate the u.s. dollar amount? thank you
Ria — Maggie’s prices are in British Pounds you can check out this online converter here: http://www.xe.com to see what the approx equilavent in US Dollars are.
Hello I just wanted to say Thank you for your vedio’s and your tips that you keep offering. I really enjoy watching you when you’re working on the painting, I’m glad I signed up Thanks once again
website: http://www.bow-tietheclown.com
I’ve been retired from woodcrafts for quite a few years now. Still love to paint. At church and family birthday parties I’ve enjoyed doing facepainting for free. I consider myself new in this field and love all the advice given. I would like more information so I can use my talents in a more profitable way. I will keep watching and learning. Thanks so much. I am inspired.
Hi Philadelphia.
I am a very new face painter. I am an artist (first degree was in graphic design, way back in the day) and kindergaren teacher (2nd degree, post-divorce). I loooove my job as a teacher, as I am fortunate to witness little people thriving, experiencing and growing each day. I love my kiddies, and get close to my parents as well. As a reult of a friendship developed with one of my kindergarten moms I was asked to fill in at a police charity event when the face painter cancelled due to illness! I ran to the store, bought a VERY basic set of face paints, grabbed my art brushes, and went. I was instantly hooked!!!!
There is something about painting on people that is just so different than paining on canvas or other. I absolutely love it.
Your website is a blessing, as I have learned so much in just these past 2 months since school has let out for the summer. I appreciate, so much, the willingness of this community to share techniques and ideas through you site. I am so inspired and energized each time I receive a “tips” e-mail in my inbox. Thank you, thank you for the continued advice and inspiration as I embark on this new venture in my life! You’ll be hearing from me again.
Sincerely,
Gayle Smith
Hi Gayle,
I’m so glad you’re enjoying our website and love to hear that you’re doing so well!! Thank you so much for your kind words
hiii ive been doing face painting for a year, im 17 from liverpool, i have to do parties in my area as i do not drive. i chatge £20 an hour i keep thinking if that is too much but i think people will be willing as i have qualifications in body art and fashion media… i love doing art
love the “tips”. I have been face and cheek painting for 5 years. we live in a small town, and i usually ask for a donation for my supplies if close area to me. ( I so mostly church events, and birthday parties) I love to paint, and enjoy all the gals from silly farm and getting ready to log on to “FABA”. thanks for the tips and ideas, designs, and supplies information. I have ordered several of the items. keep up the good work. your talent is a blessing.!!! dottie jean henry
Hi everyone, great site for us all, i have been painting professionally downunder 19 years – yeh. wow..and still love it..and still learning new things.. if i am available thru the week it’s my advise to give back to the community..you can ask them to supply materials as in prime colours /tattoos & sometimes balloons for twisting..also from the start mention or send them your blue card /police check, this usually seals the deal. we sometimes charge $4- $8 for a facepaint or cheek/arm art, a balloon twist with a lolly pop at markets etc. Work out your petrol and travelling time etc a discount is alwys good for your regular customers.extra advise (look at how you sit or stand and reach plus how you pick up children).. love this site it’s great to see newbies to professionals getting good feed back Thanks FPTips
Hi thank you so much for all the information I just had my first gig it was my nephews birthday party, I didn’t charge my sister since that was my gift to him all the face painting, all the parents loved my art and were very interested in contracting my services I want to make a facebook page for my face painting only and I don’t know if that’s a good idea or not, also im taking this as my business since sadly I was an independent contractor truck driver with my husband and about 3 months ago our equipment was stolen and it wasn’t recovered,
Definitely start a facebook page for your business, upload your artwork and network with other face painters in your area – great for business!
And my question is how do I know if im ready to start going out to other peoples parties and I would like to know if u can see my paintings and let me know about ur personal point of view if im ready or if I still need more practice I would really appreciate your point of view in my paintings cause I know you will tell me if I need more time before I start getting other gigs, if not I will surely practice more before I get something
Post your photos on our facebook page if you would like some feedback – http://www.facebook.com/facepaintingtips
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