Thread: Dyed veils (what to price them for?)

I've been dying veils for my students and myself and I would like to start selling some on Etsy. I am by no means an expert but I have made some really pretty ones and the dye and material and stuff adds up with the cost...

What would you guys suggest charging for them? They are really vibrant in person but I have yet to figure out how to show how pretty they are in a photo... Here are some examples of what I've been doing:

Claret/goldenrod, blue/pewter/purple, green/blue

Blue/Green pattern detail

Blue/Purple/Pewter

Pink and purple

Pattern on the pink veil (this doesn't actually fade on the left, it's the flash)


Please let me know what you think!

Figure out the cost of supplies, figure out the time to put into making them and roughlyhow much you want to pay yourself per hour of work...then see how that price compares to what's out there to see if it's worth your time and effort for the profit you'd make.

I sell veils. I am technically your competitor, though I only sell locally. I have only one comment.

Don't undercut.

What Tigerb said. I've been dyeing veils for over a decade and have long stood by the conviction that veil artists (not the vendors who import silks) but artists should not undercut each other. If you are inexperienced, you could always offer an INTRO price. Look around at the many artists who sell veils , find a few that sell something similar, and price yours close to their prices.

Having said that there is a huge variation in the types of veils dyed. My friend Darlene at Shibori Borealis is in a league of her own, she does some very time intensive work on each single piece and charges more. You are getting something very special that takes a lot of time to make.

Once in awhile I will handpaint veils, I charge more for those too. Upwards of $80 for singles. They require more set up and time to create.

The ombres I dye, for example, I've been using the same technique for years now, in fact it's pretty streamlined . You can see many of the ombres at
PictureTrail: Online Photo Sharing, Social Network, Image Hosting, Online Photo Albums

I price these at $44-$49 . Some with the fancy border get tagged with a bigger price because more tying is involved.

And then I have more "limited edition" or special veils.. not stuff you see from other artists, more like 'signature' color designs that make my items stand out and easily identifiable. Like these: PictureTrail: Online Photo Sharing, Social Network, Image Hosting, Online Photo Albums

not only are they limited availability but the price reflects them. An overseas manufacturer could not duplicate those.

You will notice though I do not price set on my website..when I sell thru etsy I make a general ballpark of veil price but adjust it according to my own discretion..if there are oops or color spots on it, it's discounted. If it came out extra special and vivid, I'll increase the price. Remember, unless you are importing pre-dyed silk, this is an ART FORM so you the artist can best decide what to charge.

For pictures: well obviously I went a different path with picture taking. It's sort of a visual trademark to market my half circle veils as hooked on the hips and wings spread wide



For starters, it would be good to have photos that show the veil opened up so someone can see the overall pattern, and then I have always found that if you roll up the veil and take a closeup, it shows the colors off really nice.

Good luck , etsy has been good to me. Ebay USED to be a great place to sell but you will be competing against undercutters and those who import fabric. Etsy is more artist friendly.

I dye silk but only occasionally sell. For basic watercolor type patterns my standard price is around $40 for 6mm 3yd habotai. If someone wants something intricate, longer than 3yrds, heavier than 6mm, wants me to exactly match a costume, etc, its more.

If I make something that doesn't sell fast, gets used in my classes, etc. I usually mark it down to $30. I offer my dance students and troupemates a deal too, usually $30 for a $40 veil.

As Tigerb and Jesennia mentioned, ebay is full of undercutters, so I don't even try to sell veils there. They will not sell for $40. Or even $35. Why? because there are so many people selling what appears to be a similar product for under $30, or in some cases under $20.

If you are using your household hot water, stove, washing machine, iron, etc. don't forget to factor in how it will increase your utilities.

edited to add: I haven't sold much in the past two years, but generally referred to Dahlal prices in setting mine. They still sell gradient silk veils for around $40 but that is probably on the low side. $45 would probably be a better price for a basic type of dye pattern.

yes definitely figure in your utilities and all the other little costs

also..advertising on bhuz has done wonders for me..
Rosey is excellent and fast to post your ad. It's well worth the money. I just spent a whopper on Hawaii advertising but once I settle that debt I will be buying retail swap meet space again.

I'm not sure how well picture ads do..honestly I love looking at the photos but I think I may have clicked through on one.

Thank you so much you guys! Jesennia- your veils are gorgeous! I'm excited to get out of school in the summer so I'll have more time to dye things and experiment more.

And your mention of Shibori Borealis...yeah...She's kinda my veil idol. They are fantastic!