Template & Guide

The Complete BOM Template: Every Material, Unit, and Cost

Stop guessing at product costs. This guide provides the exact BOM template structure, real examples from jewelry makers to potters, and step-by-step instructions for your first Bill of Materials. By the end, you'll have a template you can use for every product.

Why You Need a BOM Template

"I know what goes into my products" is how most artisans start. But without a standardized template:

Each BOM looks different, making comparisons impossible
You forget to include packaging, adhesives, or finishing materials
You can't delegate production because the recipe isn't clear
You discover months later that your cost calculations were wrong

The 8-Column BOM Template Structure

Every BOM needs these core elements. Once you nail this structure, creating new BOMs becomes fast and consistent:

Column	Purpose	Example
1. Component	What material/part is this?	Organic cotton fabric
2. Category	Type (material, findings, packing, etc.)	Fabric
3. Quantity	How much per finished unit?	1.5
4. Unit	Measurement type (yards, grams, each)	yards
5. Cost/Unit	Price per unit from supplier	$3.20
6. Total Cost	Quantity × Cost/Unit (automated)	$4.80
7. Supplier	Where you source this	Textile Wholesale Co.
8. Notes	Special instructions or changes	GOTS certified; min order 10 yards

That's it. These 8 columns capture everything you need. Columns 1-6 are mandatory. Columns 7-8 are optional but valuable.

Real BOM Examples by Craft

Example 1: Jewelry Maker (Beaded Bracelet)

Component	Qty	Unit	Cost/Unit	Total
Gemstone beads (8mm)	45	each	$0.35	$15.75
Beading wire (0.8mm)	0.5	foot	$0.08	$0.04
Crimp beads (silver)	2	each	$0.02	$0.04
Clasp (sterling silver)	1	each	$1.20	$1.20
Gift box + tissue wrap	1	set	$0.45	$0.45
Total Material Cost per Bracelet	$17.48

Example 2: Potter (Ceramic Bowl)

Component	Qty	Unit	Cost/Unit	Total
Clay (earthenware)	2.5	lbs	$0.80	$2.00
Glaze (speckled brown)	0.25	cup	$0.50	$0.13
Kiln firing (amortized)	1	per bowl	$0.75	$0.75
Breakage allowance (8%)	0.08	ratio	$2.88	$0.23
Packaging (kraft box, padding)	1	set	$0.60	$0.60
Total Material Cost per Bowl	$3.71

Notice the pottery example includes "Breakage allowance (8%)" and "Kiln firing (amortized)". These are hidden costs. Every potter loses a few bowls per batch; that cost needs to be baked into product pricing.

Don't Forget These "Hidden" Costs

Adhesives & Finishing Materials

Glue, sealants, finish coats. Easy to forget because they're small. They add up. Include them.

Packaging & Shipping Materials

Boxes, tissue, padding, tape, labels. $1-3 per unit for many artisans. Critical to include.

Waste & Breakage Allowance

Clay breakage (5-15%), fabric scrap (5-20%), metalwork waste (3-10%). Calculate your typical loss rate and allocate it per unit.

Equipment Amortization

Kiln firing, dyeing vat usage, tool wear. Spread the cost across units produced. If a $2,000 kiln lasts 5 years making 5,000 units, that's $0.40/unit.

Specialty Materials for Variations

Dyes, findings, colors, materials—if you make variations, account for the base cost + the delta cost. Add lines for each variation.

How to Build Your First BOM (Step-by-Step)

1Set up your template (Google Sheets, Excel, or paper)

Create 8 columns. Label them. Use the examples above as your guide.

2Make ONE product from start to finish

Don't estimate. Actually produce it. Write down every component as you use it.

3Measure or weigh everything

Use a scale, measuring tape, ruler. Get exact quantities. Precision is profit.

4Fill in costs from your supplier data

Look up current cost-per-unit for each component. Use your material cost baseline (if you've done one).

5Calculate totals

Qty × Cost/Unit for each row. Sum to get total material cost.

6Test it by making 3 more

Make 3 more using ONLY the BOM. Do they come out identical? Same cost? Refine quantities if needed.

7Save and version it

Save as "Product Name - BOM v1.0". When you update it, save v2.0. This history is valuable.

Key Takeaways

Use the 8-Column Template

Component, Category, Quantity, Unit, Cost/Unit, Total Cost, Supplier, Notes. Every BOM needs these.

Don't Forget Hidden Costs

Packaging, waste, breakage, equipment amortization. These are often 15-25% of total material cost.

Test Your BOM Before Using It

Make 3 products. Do quantities match? Costs align? Refine before you lock it in.

Version Your BOMs

Save as v1.0, v2.0, etc. Track changes over time. This history informs pricing and cost reduction.

You might also be interested in these related articles about artisan business management.

Bill of Materials Mastery: The Framework for Accurate Product Costing

Understand why BOMs matter and how to use them for scaling.

Invalid Date

Building a Material Cost Baseline: Tracking and Auditing Your Vendor Spend

Know your material costs to build accurate BOMs.