Cost guide
How much does face painting cost for a party?
Face painting is priced by the hour, not by a flat day rate. Typical UK rates for a professional, mobile face painter run from around £50 to £75 an hour. My own rate starts at £45 an hour, minimum 1.5 hours, published here rather than behind an enquiry form.
Price by booking type
Most parties are charged by the hour: from £45, minimum 1.5 hours. For fetes and fun days where children come and go rather than staying for a set party, face painting can instead be charged per face, from £5.
What drives the price up or down
Guest count, hours booked and travel distance move the number most. Typical UK rates for a professional, mobile face painter run from around £50 to £75 an hour, generally higher in London and the South East than elsewhere. My own rate starts from £45 an hour, below that typical range while I build reviews as a new business, not because the paint or the standard is any lower.
Deposits
A deposit of 25% secures your date and is non-refundable. Ask for this in writing before you pay anything.
Travel and callout fees
Travel within 20 miles of Reading is free on bookings of £100 or more. Below that, a callout fee applies at £0.5 per mile.
How many children can be painted in an hour
A typical two-hour party booking covers around 20 to 25 designs elsewhere in the UK market, depending on how detailed each design is. Simple designs go faster than full-face work. Tell me your guest count when you enquire and I will tell you honestly whether the time you are booking is enough.
What is included versus what costs extra
There are no separate paid add-ons on top of the hourly rate. The quoted price covers the full professional kit and travel within the free radius above.
Cancellation
Ask what happens to your deposit if the date moves or the booking is cancelled, on both sides, before you pay it. A clear cancellation and rescheduling policy, agreed in writing at the time of booking, is a basic protection for both you and the artist.
Questions people actually ask
Is face painting charged by the hour or per child?
By the hour for most parties, from £45, minimum 1.5 hours. For fetes and fun days where children come and go, it can also be charged per face, from £5. Ask which structure suits your event when you enquire.
Why do face painting prices vary so much between artists?
Mostly experience, paint quality and location. Typical UK rates for a professional, mobile face painter run from around £50 to £75 an hour, with prices generally higher in London and the South East than elsewhere. My own rate starts from £45 an hour, below that typical range while I build reviews as a new business, not because the paint or the standard is any lower.
Does the quoted price include travel to my party?
Travel within 20 miles of Reading is free on bookings of £100 or more. Below that, a callout fee of £0.5 per mile applies.
How many children can be painted in an hour?
A typical two-hour party booking covers around 20 to 25 designs elsewhere in the UK market, depending on how detailed each design is. Simple designs go faster than full-face work, so if you have a large group, tell me the guest count when you enquire and I will tell you honestly whether the time you are booking is enough.
Do you charge extra for glitter or add-ons?
Not currently. There are no separate paid add-ons on top of the hourly rate.