What would you pay for a diaper cake?

Peach&Fireworks · August 2009

Hello! I have a side business where I make diaper cakes, baby gifts, pet collars, and other various things. These diaper cakes are very time intesnsive - imagine rolling all those diapers and rubber banding them! This cake contains 60+ Pampers Swaddlers Size 2 diapers and tons of little gifts. I have little hairbows, baby legs, rattle, teething ring, car toy, wash cloths, stuffed animal, plush car toy, anmd a paci clip.

I just struggle with charging for these! Given the materials and time (several hours) do you think the price is fair? They go for $100+ online.

Ignore my messy work area - I was up til 11 doing this and just didn't have it in me to straighten up. Plus I have another to make to night!

AJflowers · August 2009

This probably won't sound very helpful, but things are pretty much worth what people are willing to pay for them. When you add up materials, and how much you think you should earn/hour to work on them, and how established you are, does $125 sound fair to you?

I have a girlfriend who is trying to start doing this on the side too, and she always struggles w/how much to charge.

FWIW, I could see paying something like that for a nice diaper cake.

kate1011 · August 2009

It's cute - but I wouldn't pay that much. (I would just make my own...)

Peach&Fireworks · August 2009

I did throw out $125 to both of my "customers" and they both said OK without any hesitation! I always struggle with pricing - especially since right now the majority of my clients are friends and family!

Peach&Fireworks · August 2009

kate1011:
It's cute - but I wouldn't pay that much. (I would just make my own...)

Thanks! I would make my own too, lol. The girls that ordered these just aren't very crafty, hehe.

AJflowers · August 2009

Peach&Fireworks:
kate1011:
It's cute - but I wouldn't pay that much. (I would just make my own...)
Thanks! I would make my own too, lol. The girls that ordered these just aren't very crafty, hehe.

Exactly, and they are time consuming. People are willing to pay for convenience.

kate1011 · August 2009

If your customers are willing to pay it with out any hesitation; I would keep charging them that rate. If you want maybe throw out a higher number to people that aren't good friends/family and negotiate with them... ?

Michelle901 · August 2009

I'm crafty, so I would just make my own and if I was going to spend over $100 on a gift it would be on something more "useful", ie a pack n play, swing, etc. That being said, I bet there are a lot of people that would pay $100 for your creation. Why don't you try cutting costs by using a 'generic' brand of diapers (once they are rolled up you probably can't tell the difference and most new moms will use what they are given) and buying the other items in bulk and using them on multiple cakes. Just an idea so that you can make a little more without charging more.

Peach&Fireworks · August 2009

Michelle901:
I'm crafty, so I would just make my own and if I was going to spend over $100 on a gift it would be on something more "useful", ie a pack n play, swing, etc. That being said, I bet there are a lot of people that would pay $100 for your creation. Why don't you try cutting costs by using a 'generic' brand of diapers (once they are rolled up you probably can't tell the difference and most new moms will use what they are given) and buying the other items in bulk and using them on multiple cakes. Just an idea so that you can make a little more without charging more.

I've been using the BRU generic diapers up until recently. I polled a few friends with babies and they said that Swaddlers are the way to go. One even said she tossed the "generic" diapers that she got on one of her cakes and kept the Swaddlers. I want to make sure I deliver a high quality product...so that's why I switched. Those bitches are expensive though, whew!

ach427 · August 2009

How much do just the materials cost? If you are buying them, you should take that number and double it.

If you allow people to pick out/pay for their own little gifts that go ON the cake, you should charge what you consider fair for your hourly rate (if you got hired to make these for someone else's business, what would you be PSYCHED to get paid).

If there is a discrepancy between the two numbers, pick whichever one is higher.

FWIW, I probably wouldn't buy this because I like to pick out each little thing myself. However, if I was a busy person who didn't like shopping, I think $100-$125 is reasonable.

AJflowers · August 2009

Peach&Fireworks:
Michelle901:
I'm crafty, so I would just make my own and if I was going to spend over $100 on a gift it would be on something more "useful", ie a pack n play, swing, etc. That being said, I bet there are a lot of people that would pay $100 for your creation. Why don't you try cutting costs by using a 'generic' brand of diapers (once they are rolled up you probably can't tell the difference and most new moms will use what they are given) and buying the other items in bulk and using them on multiple cakes. Just an idea so that you can make a little more without charging more.
I've been using the BRU generic diapers up until recently. I polled a few friends with babies and they said that Swaddlers are the way to go. One even said she tossed the "generic" diapers that she got on one of her cakes and kept the Swaddlers. I want to make sure I deliver a high quality product...so that's why I switched. Those bitches are expensive though, whew!

I think some people miss the point of a diaper cake. A diaper cake is a VERY useful gift, and is not just for looks or something clever. You can pretty much use everything in a diaper cake, and everyone I know who's received one, has LOVED it. I would totally prefer a diaper cake w/higher quality diapers. Diapers are the one thing that a lot of people don't get for expecting moms, but what every expecting mom needs. Also, a lot of people will ask that certain things be used int he d-cake, that are from the mom's registry. JMO.

Jennicap · August 2009

I make my own, its one of my gifts to the mom to be. Personally for picing I would take account of how much the supplies cost, then how long it takes you to complete the cake from start to finish, don't forget buying the supplies and your gas for shopping and deliverying. For any work I do (I'm a photography/designer) I will charge a base rate, as just starting out you should probably charge no more than 20-25 an hour.

felecia_hope · August 2009

Very nice work! I like your creation. My friend paid $150 for one but it had some pretty nice, useful things included with the diapers. Maybe you can do a pricing tier and a la carte pricing for more expensive items people might want included.

Hip2Bsquare · August 2009

Oh wow! that is so cool! My friend had a baby shower and her mom made a socktopus - an octopus made of socks for baby, socks for mom and a hat for baby. It was the cutest thing!

I would be willing to pay the money for me but it's difficult to say for sister and or SIL that will most likely be hosting my shower. I might mention that I want one but I know none of them are in a position to actually do that. They may try to make one on their own and thus cutting the cost a little but as you said the diapers are really expensive.

homebird · August 2009

Hm .. Well, I would probably figure out the cost of the materials/supplies. You'll need to charge at least that much to break even (obviously).

On top of that, I'd probably set an hourly rate, and that would be your profit. Once you do a couple, you'll know about how long it takes to make one, and you can set a fixed price.

homebird · August 2009

felecia_hope:
Very nice work! I like your creation. My friend paid $150 for one but it had some pretty nice, useful things included with the diapers. Maybe you can do a pricing tier and a la carte pricing for more expensive items people might want included.

The a la carte pricing is a good idea.

Peach&Fireworks · August 2009

felecia_hope:
Very nice work! I like your creation. My friend paid $150 for one but it had some pretty nice, useful things included with the diapers. Maybe you can do a pricing tier and a la carte pricing for more expensive items people might want included.

Thank you! I actually have thought about an a la cart or tiered pricing. The cake I do is really large. I thought I could do a smaller cake - that would def. save on price. I also want to try square cakes but that will probaly be the "mac daddy" cake. I've got my business website up but not functioning and not nearly loaded with pictures. Here it is if you want to check it out!

www.peachykeendesigns.com

Thanks for all the feedback!

Meli0604 · August 2009

My very close friend also makes diaper cakes and I believe she charges between $100-$125 depending on the size. She gives discounts to family/friends. I think that price is reasonable.

I need to start a side business! lol, Anyone want to buy crochet blankets?? lol

jacse007 · August 2009

If you are just doing it for a side business, I would take the cost of all the materials and double it. As for the expensive or generic diapers, I would give the client the option. Maybe ask them how much they are willing to pay and go from there. If they only want to pay around 75, then go with cheaper stuff, maybe using bottles inside the cake instead of all diapers. If someone wants higher quailty stuff, then go from there. Maybe tell the customer you double the cost of materials and that will give you and easy way to break down the cost on a receipt if there are any questions. That would sound good to me! I would pay if it was explained to me this way.

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