How do I calculate the cost per linocut print?

Add up all material costs (block, carving tools amortized, ink, and paper per sheet multiplied by edition size) plus your labor cost (hours spent carving and printing multiplied by your hourly rate). Divide the total by the number of prints in your edition to get cost per print.

What is a fair selling price for linocut prints at art markets?

A common pricing formula is 2.5x your total cost per print for art markets and craft fairs. This covers booth fees, packaging, and provides a reasonable return. For online sales on platforms like Etsy, 3x is more appropriate to account for platform fees and shipping supplies.

How does edition size affect the price of linocut prints?

Smaller limited editions (10–25 prints) command higher prices per print because scarcity adds value. A numbered edition (e.g., 3/25) signals exclusivity to buyers. Open or unlimited editions are better suited to lower price-point items like greeting cards. Always sign and number your prints in pencil.

DIY Linocut Print Cost Calculator

How to Price Linocut Prints for Art Markets and Online Sales

Linocut printmaking is one of the most accessible forms of fine art printmaking, but pricing your prints can feel tricky. Many artists underprice their work because they only count materials and ignore the hours they spend carving and printing. This calculator helps you see your true cost per print and sets a realistic selling price for art markets, craft fairs, and online shops like Etsy.

What Goes Into the Cost of a Linocut Print?

There are four main material costs for any linocut edition:

Linoleum block — Standard grey or battleship lino blocks range from $5 to $25 depending on size. Soft-cut blocks (like Speedball Speedy-Carve) cost slightly more but are gentler on hands.
Carving tools — A basic set of gouges costs $15–$50 and lasts for years. Amortize the cost over many projects; for a single edition, $2–$5 per project is a fair allocation.
Ink — Water-based block printing inks like Speedball cost around $8–$15 per tube. A tube covers dozens of prints; estimate $1–$3 per project.
Paper — Quality matters. Rives BFK or Fabriano Rosaspina run $1–$4 per sheet. Japanese kozo papers can cost more. Don't print on cheap paper if you're selling.

The Multiplier Method for Pricing Art

Professional printmakers and craft fair veterans typically use a cost multiplier to set prices. A 2x–3x multiplier on your total cost (materials plus labor) is the standard range:

1.5x — Absolute floor. You're barely covering costs. Use only to clear old inventory.
2.5x — Solid art market price. Covers booth fees, packaging, and gives you a reasonable return.
3x — Online pricing. Accounts for platform fees (Etsy takes ~6.5%), shipping supplies, and photography time.
4x+ — Gallery or collector pricing. Appropriate for signed, numbered limited editions or larger-format work.

Edition Size and Value

Limited edition prints command higher prices because scarcity matters to buyers. A numbered edition (e.g., 3/25 meaning print three of twenty-five) signals exclusivity. Smaller editions of 10–25 prints support higher per-print prices. Open editions (unlimited prints) are better for lower price-point products like greeting cards or bookmarks. Always sign and number your prints in pencil below the image.

Don't Forget Your Labor

Carving a linocut block takes 2–6 hours depending on complexity. Printing an edition of 20 takes another 1–2 hours. If you value your time at $20/hour and spend 4 hours total, that's $80 in labor — often more than the materials cost. Many artists skip this calculation and wonder why they never feel fairly compensated. Pay yourself first.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many prints should I carve in an edition?

For art markets, editions of 10–30 prints work well. Small enough to feel limited, large enough to recoup your carving time. If demand is high, you can always carve a new block for a second edition — but never print more than your stated edition number.

Should I price my prints the same online and at markets?

Many artists price online slightly higher (10–20%) to cover Etsy fees (~6.5%), PayPal fees, packaging, and postage time. At markets you're selling face-to-face with no platform cut, so prices can be a touch lower — though consistency builds trust with repeat buyers who shop both channels.

What paper should I use for prints I plan to sell?

Use acid-free printmaking paper for anything you sell. Popular choices include Rives BFK, Fabriano Rosaspina, Stonehenge, or Japanese kozo/washi papers. Cheap copier paper yellows quickly and signals low quality to buyers. Good paper also absorbs ink better and produces cleaner impressions.

Do I need to sign and number my prints?

Signing and numbering is standard practice for fine art prints and increases perceived value. Write the edition number as a fraction (e.g., 4/20), sign in pencil below the image, and optionally add the year and title. Pencil is traditional because it cannot be reproduced photographically — a hallmark of an authentic hand-pulled print.

Can I reuse a linocut block for future editions?

Yes — lino blocks can print hundreds of impressions before wearing down, especially with water-based inks. You can store a block and print from it again later. However, if you stated a limited edition size, you are ethically (and legally, for fine art purposes) obligated not to print beyond that number. Many artists cancel the block by scoring it after the edition is complete.