Price Per Page–More Information

Recently I’ve been adding a feature to each (or most) posts called PPP – Price Per Page.  I have all pages labeled by one of four categories:

$ (pages that cost under $2 per page to create)

$$ (pages that cost between $2 to $3 to create)

$$$ (pages that cost between $3 to $4 to create)

$$$$ (pages that cost more than $4 to create).

 

I have to admit, after the first few pages, I was in a bit of shock.  I was completely surprised at how many pages were over $4, with some of them being upwards of $6.  I honestly thought my average page cost was about $2.  However, I started thinking about it, and I rarely buy my supplies at full retail cost.  But for the sake of calculations, I have figured each page at the MSRP (Manufacturer Suggested Retail Prices – which is what is the most accurate comparison for everyone across the country).  When I shop, my biggest savings is often on my cardstock.  I don’t buy solid cardstock often, but when I do I buy a lot.  I wait until I find it on sale and stock up.  Recently, JoAnn’s has been my favorite place to do that when the open stock paper is 6/$.96.  I have an additional 15% off for homeschooling, so that is a dramatic savings.  If I can’t use that deal and I need cardstock, I buy the American Crafts packs 40% off from Joann.com.  However, I calculate solid cardstock at $.50/sheet for the cost per page.

I have heard the way some people calculate the price per page is to figure the cost of each item on the first page only it is used on.  I don’t believe that is an accurate representation (while really neither method is) for the purpose of this blog. This method would assume you tally the full price of the first use and from then on, never figure the cost.  Here’s why I don’t believe that’s an accurate representation for this purpose.  If I were to use a new ink pad ($7) a new die ($9) and a new package of Thickers ($5), that would appear my cost per page is $21+ plus the other consumable supplies (let’s say $2).   My price for that page would be $23.  However, the next page I were to make, if I used the same products plus two additional sheets of paper would reflect at only $2.  That would appear very confusing to you as the reader.   Perhaps, for the sake of ones individual record keeping, I can understand this method, but I don’t believe it to be the best method here.  I figure the percentage of each package of Thickers that I used and find the percentage of the cost, then use that number, with the end result hopefully being a more accurate PPP. 

For supplies that are not entirely consumed per use, I have calculated for my own use, I can complete about 50 pages per ink pad, spray mist bottle, and other consumables as such.  Thus I divide the MSRP by 50.  I do not factor in the cost of dies or punches used because if cared for appropriately, they can hopefully create indefinite numbers of pages.  I know I have used some of my border punches for more than 1,000 punches!!!!  Even if I figured the cost per pages, it’s still only pennies.   I do not figure the cost of tools that are “investment” pieces in my price.  The effective cost is the consumable supplies only.

You can use the links on the right sidebar to sort my pages by the correct category.

If you have any questions, please leave a comment and I will do my best to answer.