How do you price banners so you don't lose money on finishing?

Banner pricing looks simple — until the hems, grommets, and rush turn a "profitable" job into break-even labor. Here's a framework that keeps finishing from eating you alive.

Start with a square-foot base:

• Your base price per square foot should cover the material + the print + your target margin. (Width in ft × height in ft = square footage.)
• Set a minimum charge so a tiny banner still pays for the setup.

Then add finishing as line items — because it's real labor and material:

• Hems (welded or taped edges) — per linear foot.
• Grommets — per grommet, or a flat set fee.
• Pole pockets — per pocket.
• Reinforced corners / wind slits for outdoor.
• Cut-to-shape / contour cut — a real upcharge over a rectangle.

Don't forget:

• Substrate choice changes cost and durability (13oz vs 15oz vinyl, mesh for wind, etc.) — quote the right one for the environment, not the cheapest.
• Rush carries a premium, same as any other job.
• Design/setup time if you're building the artwork.