PMU Pricing Calculator
Calculate the right price for your PMU services based on supply costs, time investment, overhead, and income goals. Free tool for microblading artists.
How to Use This Calculator
This free pricing calculator helps you determine the right price for your PMU services based on four key factors: supply costs, time investment, overhead expenses, and your desired income.
Step 1: Enter Your Supply Costs
Add up the cost of everything you use per single service:
- Blades or cartridges: typically $2-8 per blade
- Pigment: approximately $3-5 per service
- Numbing cream: roughly $2-4 per application
- Disposables: gloves, ink cups, cotton rounds, barrier film ($5-10)
- Aftercare kit: if you provide one ($5-15)
Most microblading artists spend $15-40 in supplies per service. Powder brow artists may spend slightly less on blades but more on cartridges.
Step 2: Calculate Your Time
Include all time spent on each client, not just needle-to-skin time:
- Consultation: 15-30 minutes (even if done separately)
- Setup and preparation: 15-20 minutes
- Procedure: 90-150 minutes depending on technique
- Cleanup: 15-20 minutes
- Admin: booking, follow-up messages, photo editing (~15 minutes)
A typical microblading appointment consumes 2.5-4 hours of your time when you count everything.
Step 3: Add Your Overhead
Monthly fixed costs divided by the number of services you perform per month:
- Rent: studio space or booth rental
- Insurance: liability and malpractice
- Software: booking system, accounting, marketing tools
- Continuing education: courses, certifications, conferences
- Marketing: website, social media ads, content creation
If your monthly overhead is $2,000 and you do 20 services per month, each service needs to cover $100 in overhead before you've paid yourself a dollar.
Step 4: Set Your Income Goal
What do you want to take home after all expenses? Work backwards:
- Annual income goal ÷ 12 = monthly income needed
- Monthly income ÷ number of services per month = income per service
- Add supply costs + overhead per service + income per service = your minimum price
The Formula
Recommended Price = Supply Costs + (Monthly Overhead ÷ Monthly Services) + (Annual Income Goal ÷ 12 ÷ Monthly Services) + Profit Margin (15-20%)
The profit margin accounts for slow months, cancellations, and business growth reinvestment.
Methodology
This calculator uses a cost-plus pricing model, the most reliable method for service-based businesses. Unlike market-based pricing (just charging what everyone else charges), cost-plus ensures you're actually profitable at your price point.
We add a 15-20% profit margin on top of your costs because:
- Not every month will be fully booked
- You need funds for equipment upgrades and business growth
- Cancellations and no-shows will eat into your revenue
- You deserve to build wealth, not just cover expenses
Pro Tip
After using this calculator, compare your result to local market rates. If your calculated price is significantly below market rate, you have room to charge more. If it's above, look for ways to reduce overhead or increase volume before dropping your price.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I recalculate my pricing?
Review your pricing every 6 months. Supply costs change, your overhead shifts as your business grows, and your skill level increases (which justifies higher prices).
What if my calculated price is higher than what competitors charge?
Your competitors may be undercharging. Many PMU artists price based on emotion or what "feels right" rather than actual costs. If your costs genuinely require a higher price, focus on communicating your value (certifications, experience, premium supplies, stellar aftercare) rather than racing to the bottom.
Should I charge differently for different skin types?
Some artists charge more for oily or mature skin because these require more time and skill. If a procedure consistently takes 30-60 minutes longer on certain skin types, it's reasonable to reflect that in pricing. However, many artists prefer a flat rate for simplicity.
How do I factor in touch-ups?
Include the cost of one complimentary touch-up in your initial pricing. If your microblading costs $30 in supplies and takes 3 hours, the touch-up costs another $20 and 1.5 hours. Build both into your initial price so the "free touch-up" is already paid for.