Custom Color Orders: Pricing Complexity and Managing Dye Inventory
A customer asks for "dusty rose with a hint of purple." You dye a sample. They ask for revisions. You adjust the dye bath twice more. You've spent 4 hours on labor and wasted $20 in dye materials, but charged only $40. This guide teaches you to price custom color work profitably.
The Hidden Costs of Custom Color Orders
Custom color work involves costs you might be ignoring:
Sample dyeing: First attempt costs time and materials, but customer sees it and asks for changes.
Revisions: Each "make it slightly more blue" requires re-dyeing, which can mean redoing the entire batch or wasting partial dye.
Color matching expertise: Blending custom colors requires skill and knowledge. This expertise has value.
Dye inventory complexity: Stocking 20+ colors to offer "any custom color" ties up cash in unused dye.
Reality: Most textile makers charge flat fees for custom color work and lose money when revisions occur.
Pricing Models for Custom Color Orders
Model 1: No Custom Colors (Avoid Complexity)
Approach: Offer a palette of 8-12 signature colors. Tell customers: "Choose from our palette or pay a custom color surcharge."
Downside: Lose custom order premium pricing ($50-$100 markup).
Model 2: Custom Color with Surcharge + Revision Limits
Approach: Charge base price + $30-$50 custom color surcharge. Include 1 sample dye + 1 revision. Additional revisions cost $20 each.
Benefit: Captures custom premium while protecting against revision scope creep.
Example pricing: Base scarf ($175) + Custom color ($40) + 2 revisions ($40) = $255 total
Model 3: Consultation Fee (Recommended)
Approach: Charge $50-$100 upfront consultation/color matching fee. This fee covers sample dyeing, 1-2 revisions, and your expertise. Customer pays this before you start dyeing.
Benefit: Separates color work from production work. Customers take custom colors seriously (they've invested). You're protected against endless revisions.
Example pricing: $75 consultation (covers samples/revisions) + Base scarf ($175) + Custom color surcharge ($25) = $275 total
Managing Dye Inventory for Custom Colors
Don't stock 50 dyes hoping to make "any color." Instead:
Strategy 1: Core Palette + Blending
Stock 6-8 primary colors (red, blue, yellow, brown, black, white, etc.). Teach customers that you can blend these into any color they want. This reduces inventory while keeping customization alive.
Strategy 2: Seasonal Limited Editions
Instead of custom color orders, offer seasonal limited-edition colors (Spring Pastels, Winter Jewel Tones, etc.). Customers get novelty without you managing inventory chaos.
Strategy 3: Minimum Custom Order
Only accept custom color orders for 5+ kg batches. Smaller custom orders aren't profitable once you account for sample dyeing and revisions.
Key Takeaways
✓ Custom color work has hidden costs (samples, revisions, expertise). Don't price it as a free add-on.
✓ Use consultation fees ($50-$100) to cover sample dyeing and revisions before production starts
✓ Limit revisions (2-3 max). Charge $20-$30 per additional revision.
✓ Stock core colors and blend; don't try to stock "any color possible"
✓ Consider raising minimum custom order to 5+ kg to ensure profitability
Price Custom Colors Profitably
TrueCraft tracks custom order costs and revision iterations.
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