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How to price dog bandanas

Bandanas are quick to sew and cut efficiently from yardage. That makes them a good product, as long as you count fabric yield and per-order costs correctly.

1. Fabric yield

Lay out your pattern pieces for each size and count how many you get from one yard (or from a fat quarter) of each fabric. Divide the fabric cost by that number. Large sizes may cut fewer per yard, so price sizes separately. Add a second layer or lining if you use one, plus thread, snaps or velcro, and a collar-loop channel.

2. Labor

Time cutting, sewing, turning, pressing, topstitching, adding snaps and packing, for a batch. Personalization by embroidery or vinyl adds setup and proofing. Charge it as an add-on.

3. Per-order costs

Bags, a size card, and mailers. A bandana is light, but the mailer and postage share are a big part of a small price.

Platform and payment fees

Marketplaces usually take a percentage of each sale plus fixed per-order or per-listing charges, and payment processing is often separate. Fee schedules change, so read your platform's current fee page rather than trusting a number you saw once. Remember that fees are charged on the price the customer pays, so they grow as your price grows. Calculate them on your final price, not on your cost.

Choosing a markup

Once you know your true cost (materials + labor + overhead), multiply it to get a price. A common maker rule of thumb is wholesale at about 2× true cost and retail at about 2× wholesale, but that is a starting point, not a law. Check the result against what comparable products actually sell for, then decide whether your quality, story or speed justifies sitting above or below that range. If the price you need is far above what buyers pay, the fix is usually cost or time, not a smaller margin.

If you use licensed print fabrics (characters, sports teams), check the fabric's terms. Many licensed prints are sold for personal use only, and selling items made from them can lead to takedowns.

Worked example

Notice that the profit line comes after you've paid yourself for your time. That's the number that tells you whether this product is a business or a hobby.

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