How Much Does It Cost to Start Selling Snow Globe Tumblers? A Worked Example
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How much do you need to start selling snow globe tumblers, and what can you make on each cup? Every business is different, so instead of promising numbers, here is a worked example you can copy and change with your own figures.
All figures below are examples. Replace the assumptions with your own quotes and prices.
The example
Let's say you want to test one style: a 16oz plastic snow globe can, decorated with a UV DTF wrap and sold online.
1. The blanks
Our 16oz double-wall plastic snow globe can is US$1.94 per piece for one case of 50 (EXW, before freight). One case costs US$97.00. You can mix the six lid colours inside that case to test which ones sell.
2. Getting the cups to you
Freight and import duties depend on your country, the shipping method and the size of the order. Ask for a DDP quote to see the price to your door. For this example, we assume US$1.00 per cup for shipping and duties. Your real figure may be higher or lower.
3. Decoration and filling
- UV DTF wrap: assume US$1.00 per cup
- Glitter and filling liquid: assume US$0.50 per cup
- Packaging for your customer (box, bubble wrap): assume US$1.00 per cup
4. Cost per finished cup
| Item | Per cup |
|---|---|
| Blank cup (EXW) | US$1.94 |
| Shipping and duties (assumed) | US$1.00 |
| UV DTF wrap (assumed) | US$1.00 |
| Glitter and liquid (assumed) | US$0.50 |
| Packaging (assumed) | US$1.00 |
| Total | US$5.44 |
5. Selling price and fees
Look at what similar finished cups sell for in your niche. As one example, we found a decorated 16oz plastic snow globe tumbler listed on Etsy for US$25. Let's use that price.
On Etsy in the US, a sale like this pays a listing fee (US$0.20), a 6.5% transaction fee and a payment processing fee of 3% plus US$0.25. On a US$25 cup that is about US$2.83. If the sale comes through Etsy's Offsite Ads, a further 12–15% applies. Other platforms and your own website have different fees.
6. What is left
| Per cup | |
|---|---|
| Selling price | US$25.00 |
| Cost per finished cup | −US$5.44 |
| Platform fees | −US$2.83 |
| Before your time and advertising | US$16.73 |
If all 50 cups sell at this price, that is about US$836 before your time, advertising and any unsold stock. Selling half of them already covers the cost of all 50 cups.
7. Make the numbers work for you
- Get a real freight quote. It is the figure that changes most between countries.
- Count your time. Filling, sealing, leak-testing and wrapping each cup takes time. Decide what your hour is worth.
- Start small, then scale. One case per model is enough to learn what sells. At 300+ pieces the cup price drops, and freight per cup usually falls too.
- Test colours, not only designs. Lid colours of the same model can be mixed in one case.
Get your own numbers
Add the cups you want to your quote list and tell us your country. We reply within 1–2 hours (China time) with cup prices and shipping options, DDP to your door or EXW. Or start with how ordering from China works.