Journal · June 12, 2026 · Maren Østby
How to price a class pack without losing money on clay
Most studios we talk to price class packs by looking at what the studio down the road charges. That is a fine place to start, but it hides the two costs that quietly eat the margin: clay and firing.
Start with one session
Take a single 2.5-hour drop-in wheel session. At our old studio it cost us roughly:
| Cost | Per student |
|---|---|
| Instructor (1 per 8 students) | $9.40 |
| Clay (about 3 lb used, reclaimed or not) | $2.10 |
| Bisque + glaze firing share | $3.60 |
| Glaze materials | $1.20 |
| Total | $16.30 |
If your drop-in price is $45, that leaves about $28.70 per seat for rent, utilities and everything else.
Then decide the discount
A pack should reward commitment, not give away the margin. We usually suggest:
- 5-class pack: 10% off drop-in price, expires in 3 months
- 10-class pack: 15% off, expires in 6 months
Expiry matters. A pack with no expiry is a liability on your books forever, and it means students drift.
Track breakage
About 8% of pack credits at a typical studio are never used before they expire. Do not plan your budget around that number, but do not ignore it either. In Kilnbook you can see expired credits per month on the Packs report.