One of the trickiest parts of an art career isn’t the painting, sculpting, or creating—it’s deciding what to write on the price tag. Many artists use square-inch pricing as their baseline, and it’s a smart approach. It creates consistency, helps with predictability, and keeps prices aligned across a body of work. But if you stop there, you’ll run into one big issue: awkward numbers.
Why Clean Numbers Matter
Imagine walking into a gallery and seeing a painting priced at $438.20. It feels strange. Even if the math checks out, it doesn’t inspire confidence. Collectors expect polish, and clean numbers—ending in a 5 or 0—signal professionalism.
Clarity matters. When someone is making an emotional, often substantial purchase, the last thing you want is for the price to feel like it came from a spreadsheet rather than a confident market decision.
The Psychology of Price Breaks
Numbers also carry weight beyond math. For decades, retailers have used “just under” pricing: $199 instead of $200, $2,950 instead of $3,000. Even in higher price brackets, buyers respond to that small psychological difference.
It’s not about tricking collectors—it’s about aligning with how humans naturally perceive value. A subtle break under a round figure can feel more approachable while still honoring the value of your work.
A Practical System
To keep things consistent, set rules for rounding your prices:
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Under $1,000: Round to the nearest $5. Example: $438 becomes $435.
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$1,000–$2,500: Round to the nearest $50. Example: $1,237 becomes $1,250.
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Above $2,500: Round to the nearest $100. Example: $2,940 becomes $2,900.
This keeps your pricing clean and easy to manage, without endless overthinking.
When Formulas Break Down
Square-inch pricing is an excellent foundation, but it has limits. Very small works sometimes need a minimum “floor” price, regardless of formula, to reflect effort and presentation. Very large works may need to be capped so they remain competitive in the market. The key is to keep the overall system consistent, but allow for occasional adjustments at the extremes.
The Bigger Picture
Ultimately, pricing is about more than numbers—it’s about positioning. Clean, confident pricing shows buyers you know the value of your work and understand the market. A predictable system saves you from agonizing over each piece and makes your portfolio look cohesive.
In short: use square-inch pricing to establish a baseline, then round to professional, approachable numbers. It’s a small change that can make a big difference in how collectors perceive your art.