Creating Products
Learn how to build your product catalog with materials, pricing, and estimated build times.
Creating Products
Your product catalog is the foundation for creating orders and calculating accurate costs. Each product includes materials, estimated build time, and pricing information.
Why Create Products?
Products allow you to:
- Quickly add items to orders without re-entering details
- Automatically calculate material costs
- Track estimated build times for scheduling
- Maintain consistent pricing
- Analyze which products are most profitable
Creating a Product
Step 1: Navigate to Products
Click Products in the sidebar, then Add Product.
Step 2: Basic Information
Name: Give your product a clear, descriptive name
- Good: “Large Ceramic Serving Bowl - Blue Glaze”
- Better: “Serving Bowl - Large (12in, Blue)”
Description: Add details about the product
- Size/dimensions
- Color/finish options
- Special features or techniques
- Any customization notes
Category: Organize products by type
- Examples: Bowls, Mugs, Platters, Custom Work
Step 3: Estimated Build Time
How long does this product take to make?
Enter the total hours from start to finish, including:
- ✅ Preparation (cutting, measuring, setup)
- ✅ Main construction/creation
- ✅ Finishing (sanding, painting, glazing)
- ✅ Drying/curing time (if you’re waiting)
- ✅ Cleanup
Be realistic: Track a few items and calculate the average. Most makers underestimate by 20-30%.
Example for a ceramic bowl:
- Throwing: 0.5 hours
- Trimming: 0.5 hours
- Bisque firing prep: 0.25 hours
- Glazing: 0.5 hours
- Glaze firing prep: 0.25 hours
- Total: 2 hours
(Note: Actual firing time isn’t counted since the kiln runs while you work on other things)
Step 4: Materials Required
Click Add Material and select from your inventory.
For each material, enter:
- The material name (from inventory)
- Quantity needed for one unit
- Unit of measurement
Example for ceramic bowl:
- Stoneware clay: 2 kg
- Clear glaze: 150 ml
- Underglaze (blue): 20 ml
MakeFlow automatically calculates costs based on your inventory prices.
Step 5: Labor Cost
Hourly Rate: Your labor cost per hour
- Consider: desired wage, skill level, overhead
Calculated automatically: Build time × hourly rate
Example:
- Build time: 2 hours
- Hourly rate: €25/hour
- Labor cost: €50
Step 6: Total Cost & Pricing
MakeFlow shows:
- Material Cost: Sum of all materials
- Labor Cost: Hours × rate
- Total Cost: Materials + labor
Set your selling price:
- Enter the price you charge customers
- See profit margin automatically calculated
Example:
- Materials: €8.50
- Labor: €50.00
- Total Cost: €58.50
- Selling Price: €85.00
- Profit Margin: 31%
Step 7: Additional Options
Visibility:
- Active: Available for orders
- Archived: Hidden but preserved for historical orders
Photos (optional):
- Upload product photos for reference
- Helps with customer communication
Notes:
- Special instructions
- Variations available
- Customer preferences
Pricing Strategies
Cost-Plus Pricing
Calculate cost, add desired profit margin.
Formula: Price = Cost ÷ (1 - Desired Margin %)
Example: Cost €60, want 40% margin
- Price = €60 ÷ (1 - 0.40) = €60 ÷ 0.60 = €100
Market-Based Pricing
Research what similar items sell for, adjust for your quality/brand.
Value-Based Pricing
Price based on what customers perceive as valuable, not just your cost.
Product Variations
For products with multiple options:
Option 1: Separate Products Create distinct products for each variation:
- Mug - Small (8oz)
- Mug - Medium (12oz)
- Mug - Large (16oz)
Option 2: Base Product with Notes Create one product, note variations in description/notes, adjust per order.
Best for: When variations have significantly different costs or build times, use separate products.
Managing Your Catalog
Organizing with Categories
Group similar products:
- By type: Bowls, Mugs, Plates
- By collection: Spring Collection, Custom Orders
- By skill level: Standard, Premium, Luxury
Regular Review
Quarterly, review each product:
- Are cost estimates still accurate?
- Have material prices changed?
- Is the build time realistic?
- Is the profit margin acceptable?
Archiving Products
Don’t delete old products—archive them instead:
- Preserves data for past orders
- Keeps catalog clean
- Can be reactivated later
Common Pitfalls
Underestimating Build Time
Problem: Products consistently take longer than estimated.
Solution: Track actual time for several items. Add 20-30% buffer for realistic estimates.
Forgetting Hidden Costs
Problem: Materials seem tracked, but profit is lower than expected.
Solution: Include:
- Waste/scrap factor
- Small consumables (sandpaper, etc.)
- Packaging materials
Static Pricing
Problem: Costs change but prices don’t update.
Solution: Review product costs quarterly. When material prices increase significantly, update product prices.
Too Many Variations
Problem: Catalog becomes overwhelming with slight variations.
Solution: Consolidate similar items. Use order notes for minor customizations.
Using Products in Orders
Once products are created:
- Go to Orders → New Order
- Click “Add Product”
- Select from your catalog
- Adjust quantity if needed
- Costs and timelines calculate automatically
Analyzing Product Performance
Use MakeFlow’s analytics to see:
- Most popular products
- Profit margins by product
- Average build times vs. estimates
- Material usage by product
This helps you focus on profitable items and refine your catalog.
Tips for Success
Start Simple
Begin with your core products. Don’t try to catalog everything at once.
Track Actual Time
For the first few of each product, track actual build time. Adjust estimates accordingly.
Include All Materials
Even small amounts add up. Include everything needed to make the product.
Review Regularly
As you get faster or material costs change, update products to maintain accurate data.
Think Long-Term
Good product data pays off over time with accurate costing and better pricing decisions.
Next Steps
Need help? Contact support@makeflow.xyz
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