How much do you charge at PPF?

I use a fanny pack that I clip on my back and have the compartments on the front over my stomach. I keep this on all day and don't count it until I'm also along in my car at the end of the day. I keep different denominations in different pockets.

I had two people in a row walk off without paying at the festival on Saturday, so I starting having people pay up front after that.

Why do people do that??? My first festival I had 2 non payers and one short payer - I think he figured he would apply his own 2nd kid discount!

I don't know, maybe they forgot? I'm not the type to call after them, so I just let them walk off and decided I needed to start collecting up front.

It's so hard to keep track of these things, especially when you get really busy. I think my brain switches from left to right when I'm painting or vice versa. I don't know how some face painters can carry on a lively conversation when their painting, because it's hard for me to switch modes. My husband is like that and usually chats up whoever he's painting and finds it easy to know who he has and hasn't painted and what's owed and who's together. It's also tricky for me to keep track of who's with who. I don't know how many times I've embarassed myself by asking the closest adult about the child I'm painting and they say that the child is not theirs! I've now went off on a tangent!

I am guilty of asking someone if they have paid before. I just feel weird about asking for payment first. Something I need to get over I guess.

better to ask before than have them say they don't have enough or any money on them...

I've always been paid in advance... Just as the child sits down they pay me and I put it in a small plastic container I keep under or right next to my chair. I always have a parent who tries to get it for free or at a discount (sending their kids over with only fifty cents- come on! ><). If I have someone helping out they'll take the money and deal out change for me.

I've been thinking I ought to get an apron with a pocket...

Mine is a family buisness. So at festival type setups Im never alone. Event though my fiance and my sister dont know how to paint or do balloons, they come along to help setup and handle the money as well as take bookings. At festival events we have a trifold with the services we offer as well as a sign that says: $10 off your booking if you reserve your date today.

I've asked people for payment afterwards when they've already paid. That was embarrassing! I collect before if they have it ready, otherwise I collect after because I don't like wasting time waiting on them to get their money out. It is hard sometimes to remember though. Especially when there are multiple kids to paint in one family. Or when the parent wanders off as their children are being painted, and I have to "look" for them.

I've always done PPF work. Although the rennies I know always urge me to charge more, I do many street festivals and have a good-sized sign board with designs starting at $3 and going up to $15 - or more if the patron wants something more elaborate. Usually, the more costly the design is, the more likely I am to receive a tip. I usually keep the board designs simplified and then add the flourishes and extra touches to the face so the patron feels they have gotten something special and more than they expected.
I keep my money in a pouch firmly affixed to my waist OR in an apron I made with slots for different denominations of bills, coinage, my keys, hankie, etc.
My set-up is a unique "fairy wagon" that I designed and had created. It always looks neat and attractive. No one but me sees any trash(wipes, rags, dirty water).
It does irritate me to get accepted to an event, pay my booth fee, and then discover there are not only other face painters, but someone doing horrible work for free with crappy paints or acrylics. I invest well in high quality products and do excellent work. My favorite shows are the strictly juried events that include me with other spectacular and talented artists.

I'm sure I'm not the only one who wants to see a picture of the fairy wagon. Feel like sharing?

Lady Z,

I would love to see your board. I basically do it all for $5 each and know I could get more. I really need to put together one and I need to inspiration.

How do the kids order? I want the $3 spider, $5 fairy ect...?

And yes, can we see the wagon?

Thanks!

Hey Lady Zephyr....

Did I meet you at the Apex NC "Peakfest" last weekend? My name is Linda Adams, and I saw you painting an AWESOME dragon on this little boys face while we talked, you then painted a unicorn on his sister. I was telling you about taking a refund when I found out that there were 7 face painters at the festival I had signed up for in Smithfield NC....sheesh!

BTW....there were 2 face painters painting for "free" last weekend too...no where near as good as you though, but free....that just burns my biscuits!

You guys, (if this is who I think it is) her "fairy wagon" is really cool!

You can see the wagon on her website. It does look awesome Lady Z! Are you leaning out of the opening to paint faces though? That sounds very hard on the back!

OOO I want to see too!
Jax (a facepainter in the UK) is selling her fully equipped, amazingly painted traditional gypsy caravan on EbayUK at the mo, she flat-bed trucks it to events usually, I LOVE it...if it would just drive minus a horse/ truck I'd be so tempted!

And for events, I usually work out my minimum hourly takings required to get near to my normal hourly charge, including any additions for pitch fees. Divide by approx no. faces I can paint in an hour and if its wayyyy too much per face, I just have to lower it a bit and take a slight loss even if I'm busy. Saying that some ppf gigs I made more than I would have charged per hour as everyone wanted simple fast stuff, you just can't tell.

AND when I 1st started years back in a zoo (was the ed officer and the f-p quit but as I was new my boss had seen my art degree on my cv and told me to do it as well as teach!) people paid a fortune to get in the zoo then about double what 'normal' f-p's were charging per face to have me decorate them...it really depends on the area/ event/ clients/ weather.....

Cat x

Oh yeah - get those belt/ aprons like the market people have, they are good as you can stick notes & different coins in separate pockets & not have to dig around finding the right change if you are handling the money. Or a bum bag with lots of pockets I use too, as keeps my camera & purse as well. Had a mate doing a ppf and they walked off with her cash box (from under her chair)and another had her money bag snatched off her chair, so I keep it tied to me!

And yes I get cash 1st - amazing how many kids sneak into queues at the end of someone else's family w/o their parents noticing....or parents who don't 'notice' its not free, etc....Have worked in some areas where they try the 'but I can't pay for that, I need the money to eat' thing on me while they stand there with beers & ciggies in hand...my reply being "well so do I!"

cat x

Ha ha ha ha

I am so glad i'm not the only person who's had walk offs & what nots.

I remember one year, working with a santa claus in the mall (i was an elf) and the line had closed down. A mom cam up with her two kids and asked to get in the line, I was polite, said no come back after the break. She got angry, that didn't work. Started crying, that didn't work. Told me someone died and santa would be the only way to make it better, that didn't work. Then she got her husband to try and intimidate me, then I got angry. lol It's amazing what parents will do for their children. (Yes I always make acceptions for people, but you can generally read the situation.)

I use a bar apron for my money. It ties around my waste, pockets are deep and all in the front. You can tie it at the side if your uncomfy as well.

Well, I'm planning on using a tin for my money. I live in Australia and I have no real idea of what i should charge per face, though. Most of the stuff I've done has been for my niece and cousins at parties and such. I'm going to be working with a friend of my father's who is a magician and ballon artist so I am thinking I should charge more than hte ballons, but I am not sure.

Metina, I have my board numbered and I have a small cheat sheet taped to my table so I know what design matches each number. My cheat sheet has the number cooresponding to the title of the pic. work out great. I use a pocket chart that you can get at local education stores for my pictures so I can change them out easily. I also charge a flat $5.00 no matter what at ppf, I find that with the economy it is a comfortable price for parents and for parents with more than one child.

gulaben I use a tin and do PPF at our weekly market. I charge $5 for a face,half face and an arm, $3 for cheekart small things on hands etc. $2 for something really small and quick on the hand at my discretion. And I give a discount for larger families.But I dont know where you are located. I live in Katherine in the Northern Territory.

























42

Thanks for the info peachymango, I was thinking something along those lines but its nice to get some confirmation on good prices for Australia.

PS:I'm in Townsville btw

I'm in NH and I charge $3 - $15. depending on the size and how long it takes. I simple peace sign or yin yang maybe $3. but a eye mask $7- $10 and full face $11. - $15. Most of it is really how long it takes and how long my line is.
I was surprised last Summer, I was in an area that has been hit hard with layoffs, etc. and they actually paid more for the faces then a well to do area. It was surprising, I went figuring I'd be lucky if I did $3. designs all day and I did mostly $7. - $12. designs.
This year I making it simpler 4 prices, $3. small, not much detail, $7. small with detail or eye mask with not much detail, $12. full face not much detail, finally $15. detailed.
I feel if my work is important and not to under cut myself. With these prices everyone is happy at least most of the time.
I do try to do a couple of kids at the beginning as models to show off our designs, these are usually free or marked down or tipped heavily.
I have done only a couple of paid events, PPF events are more common. I usually pay a booth space fee or trade for that. I try to do events with the booth fee no more then $40. I usually offer a gift certificate if there is a raffle as well. So far this has all worked for me.
I would like some more birthday parties, any suggestions?
Good luck to us all this year!

what and interesting read guys..I'm in a smaller area also so I'm not feeling like I can charge more than $5... I also do $3 quickies for those who are unable to afford it but want to treat their children..I need to re-design my layout also. I love the idea of the removable photo pockets..I have'nt seen those around here but will try to hunt them down...

I live in an area that was named by businessweek as one of the worst areas to find/keep a job. Great.

I've actually not changed my price in about 5 years, $5 quarter face (one eye and lips), $8 for mask/half face, $10 full face.
We don't offer cheek art advertised. The only time we even bring it up is when a little-bitty person comes in, and then we charge $3.

Re: Handling money...
For all PPF we have at least two people in the booth- a hawker/glitter person and an artist. The hawker stands at the front of the booth and talks to everyone walking by, answers questions, helps people pick out designs and takes money. My hub is my main hawker and we often joke he can sell ice to an Eskimo. I watched my productivity and speed triple when he joined me (I keep records year to year, when he joined the team he brought in more people and helped speed- it was unreal). He's known for wearing a kilt and remembering everyone who walks by- it's amazing. He and I banter which is entertaining for people as well. It's loads of fun and increased our tips as well as pay. Plus when I get a lot of people, he does the glitter tattoos while I paint/henna.

This ended up working so well that I hired hawkers for my other two booths as well. While it means that I am paying the two hawkers and the two artists, I am still making more money with hawkers than without.
And yes- I pay my husband.

I am absolutely fascinated with this thread. So rich with knowledge...thanks to all for sharing experiences. I'm curious--those of you who charge different prices for either quarter/half/full or simple/detailed/spectacular, do you display all these as choices? In other words, would you have a picture of a tiger eye design, a tiger mask and a full face tiger? It seems this would make a display chart endless!

I don't. I find that people's imaginations are pretty good so if we say we can do it full-half-mask, they trust us.