Core formulas
The formulas to keep straight
Etsy profit before product cost = price - Etsy feesCraft fair profit before booth cost = price - product cost - card feeBooth cost per sale = fixed event cost / salesIn-person profit after booth = price - product cost - card fee - booth cost per saleShould Etsy and craft fair prices be the same?
Etsy and craft fair prices can be the same if both channels still hit the profit target. They should not match automatically because the cost structures are different.
Etsy charges per order. Craft fairs charge before the first order through booth cost, travel, display supplies, and time.
The channel comparison example was checked July 3, 2026 with US Etsy defaults and a card-present planning fee.
Etsy vs craft fair cost comparison, checked July 3, 2026
$35 item, $14 product cost, no shipping charged in the Etsy example.
| Channel | Fee or cost | Profit before time tax |
|---|---|---|
| Etsy | $3.78 standard Etsy fees | $17.22 after product cost |
| Craft fair before booth | $1.06 card fee | $19.94 after product cost |
| Craft fair after booth | $1.06 card fee + $7.65 booth cost per sale | $12.29 after product cost |
| Craft fair after break-even | $1.06 card fee | $19.94 after product cost |
When should prices match across Etsy and craft fairs?
Prices should match when a consistent public price protects trust and both channels still work after costs. This is common when shipping is charged separately online and the booth has enough volume in person.
Matching prices also keeps checkout simple. The seller can still use bundles, event-only sets, or free local pickup to handle channel differences.
Do not use matching prices as an excuse to ignore booth cost.
- Match prices when profit survives both channels.
- Use event bundles instead of surprise discounts.
- Keep signs simple at the booth.
- Use Etsy coupons carefully so online buyers do not train the price down.
When should craft fair prices be different?
Craft fair prices should differ when the in-person offer is different or the cost structure requires it. Examples include gift wrapping, bundled sets, personalization, market-only seconds, or booth costs that need a higher average order value.
The cleanest approach is not a hidden surcharge. Build market-friendly bundles that have their own value and margin.
If an Etsy listing includes free shipping, the in-person price may be lower only if the booth still hits the profit target.
When to match or change price, checked July 3, 2026
| Situation | Best move | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Same product, healthy margin | Match price | Simple and consistent |
| Free shipping built into Etsy price | Test lower in-person price | Shipping label is avoided |
| High booth cost | Use bundles or higher average order value | Fixed event cost needs recovery |
| Market-only seconds | Separate price clearly | Different product condition |
| Custom work | Quote separately | Scope is different |
Decision table
Etsy vs craft fair pricing decision table, checked July 3, 2026
| Goal | Pricing choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Consistency | Match public price | Simple for repeat buyers |
| Booth recovery | Use bundles | Raises average order value |
| Move older stock | Create event-only seconds bin | Different product, clear reason |
| Protect Etsy SEO price | Keep Etsy steady | Avoid constant online repricing |
| Custom orders | Quote separately | Scope controls price |
Worked examples
Examples you can compare against your own numbers
Example: the same $35 item in two channels
The product costs $14. The Etsy order has no shipping charged. The craft fair sale uses a 2.6% + $0.15 card fee and a $130 booth spread across 17 target sales.
| Etsy standard fees | $3.78 | $0.20 listing, 6.5%, 3% + $0.25 |
|---|---|---|
| Etsy profit after product cost | $17.22 | Before ads and shipping label |
| Craft fair card fee | $1.06 | 2.6% + $0.15 |
| Booth cost per target sale | $7.65 | $130 / 17 |
| Craft fair profit after booth share | $12.29 | Before income tax |
Takeaway: Same price is clean for buyers, but the seller still needs channel math.
Check the Etsy side of this exampleAction checklist
Before you use this number in the real business
- 1Calculate Etsy profit on the item.
- 2Calculate craft fair profit before booth cost.
- 3Spread booth cost across target sales.
- 4Decide if matching prices still leaves profit.
- 5Use bundles when in-person economics need a higher order value.
- 6Track which channel actually keeps more profit.
Common mistakes
Mistakes that make the answer look better than reality
FAQs
Questions people ask before making the decision
Should my craft fair prices match Etsy?
They can match if both channels still hit the profit target. Check Etsy fees, card fees, booth cost, shipping, and product cost first.
Can I charge less in person than on Etsy?
Yes, if the in-person sale avoids shipping or online costs and the booth still pays for itself. Use math, not pressure, to decide.
Can I charge more at a craft fair?
Yes, especially for gift packaging, bundles, personalization, or premium display value. Keep the reason clear.
Do buyers notice different prices?
Repeat buyers can notice. That is why bundles and event-only products are cleaner than changing the same item without explanation.
How do Etsy fees compare with craft fair fees?
Etsy fees are mostly per order. Craft fair costs are fixed before the first sale, so low sales volume makes the booth cost per item high.
Should I offer craft fair discounts?
Discount only after checking profit. A discount that moves inventory but misses booth profit is not a win.
Sources and notes
Where the assumptions come from
Calculator used for booth break-even, target-profit, card-fee, and inventory examples.
Official Etsy source for listing, transaction, payment processing, and marketplace fee rules.
Official Square US source for card-present, online, and manually keyed processing fees.
General cost, fee, margin, and market-check method used in these craft fair guides.
How FeeProofed checks formulas, examples, source notes, and calculator-backed guide content.