AI just recently had a customer ask for 60 cookies for favors at her baby shower. The shape of "simba's" head from the lion king. I'm guessing they would be small-medium sized? How much per dozen roughly? It's my first cookie order and she asked to see a few before hand... So I said okay. Could I find a cutter? Or should I print out a template and cut them prior to baking? And I'm thinking using royal icing? Here is what she's thinking...

Thanks so much! [IMG]http://cakecentral.com/content/type/61/id/3044536/width/200/height/400[/IMG]

I wouldn't make up "a few in advance", unless you are charging her a $25 or $30 approval fee, payable prior to and separate from the order.

Who does that? (I mean your customer)

Liz

Congratulations on your first order!!!

I have to agree with Liz though, going to the trouble and expense of creating a few cookies for her to look at is a no-no.  Unless she's paying for samples.  You could and should have her approve your drawing - I do that so there is no mistaking what they are getting.  

As for pricing - I price all my cookies individually - especially favors - and no quantity discounts!  It takes more product and time for higher volume ... I never quite understood why anyone would give a quantity discount.  

Also, just because it's your first order - don't be afraid to price!  Don't undercut yourself now because it'll be way too difficult to raise your prices once you realize you aren't making any money.  Make sure you include your labor costs as well as product, cutters etc.  

As for the specific cutter - Google it and see what you come up with.  Cost, shipping etc.  That has to be incorporated in your costs as well.  Or if you decide to make a template and hand cut a shape, that's extra too.

I will tell you, be very careful when you're creating licensed products to sell.  If you do it, I suggest you don't post photos on your business web page etc.  And they check!  You'd be amazed.  But unless they allow you, you can't profit from a licensed logo or design.  So just be careful.  

Hope this helps a bit.  It's hard to tell you how to price something exactly, but you can also check other cookie web pages.  If they list prices to get an idea.  But don't forget all your costs and labor labor labor!!!

Good Luck! 

Your questions hint at less experience with this type of cookie than baking.  So I'm going to give you some "slap upside the head" advice.  Don't take it in a mean way.  But it is blunt.

Yes these cookies should be cut before baking. 

Don't sell a "Simba"  cookie. Disney has dibs on that.  Sell a lion cookie.

These take days to do properly, possibly 5 or 6 depending on the complexity.

These would be $4 or $5 cookies before packaging.  Add $1 for a bag and ribbon.  If you take less you will be taking a loss.

If you haven't done this before, the process is easy, but the devil is in the details - ie icing consistency, color flow, outlining, drying time for packaging/stacking.

Those cookies that you showed were not "first time - I think I'll make some cookies" cookies.

If you decide to make a few samples, I would cut the cookies out free hand until you get approval. She may want to alter the size or shape.  You can copy something from online and then size and print up the outline.  Make a template with food safe board or paper.   Once you get approval and have finalized the design and the size, you then might want to invest in a cutter.  It would take a lot of time to cut out that many freehand.  Check out the website below.  They have great cookie cutters, and will make custom cutters for you.  I like this company.  They are reasonably priced and fast. I have a number of cutters from them including a few custom and have never had any problems.  

http://www.coppergifts.com/

AThank you all for the advice! I agree looking now about the samples, I figured since it was my first I agreed to how her something :-/ will probably teak to a drawing etc. I was a bit taken back when she asked to see first, but ok? I didn't think about the "Disney trademark" thank you all for that! I am new to cookies my main area of 'expertise' is cake.

Appreciate the advice!

I decorate cookies at holidays for a bakery.  They take a lot more time than you think so you need to figure that out in price.  Almost killed the owner's daughter when she gave customer a price of 75 cents per cookie for stenciled and decorated cross cookies.  As woman had prepaid , by law, there was nothing I could do , but will be sure I don't give up my Sat. time or bakery loses on that again.

You will be a bit slow when you start so be reasonable on pricing ( to a slight extent).  A lot of people will not pay for the work required on cookies like that,,,, then there are others who love it and don't think twice about it.

AIf you're not going to do samples, just make sure you can deliver. You don't need to start out with unhappy customers. A bad word spreads much faster than a good word. I would do samples if for nothing else, than your own test. Character cookies are a bear. Also, it doesn't matter if you call it a simba cookie, a lion cookie or a school bus cookie. If even one person looks at it and says its simba...you could be in trouble. As far as pricing, start from the end and work your way back. How much are you worth per hour? How long does it take? Add in costs. Good luck