Estimated Time
6.7 hrs
Area
80 sq in
Material Cost
$12
Recommended Range
650–750°F
Start at the lower end and increase gradually. Softer woods like pine and basswood burn faster at lower temperatures, while harder woods like maple require more heat.
Universal — Good all-purpose tip for general burning
Shader — Best for filling large areas and gradients
Fine Detail — Ideal for intricate lines and lettering
Calligraphy — Perfect for flowing script and decorative strokes
Inputs
Result
Area = 8 × 10 = 80 sq in. High detail = 12 min/sq in, so 80 × 12 = 960 min = 16 hours. Material cost = 80 × $0.15 = $12.00. Commission = 16 × $25 × 1.3 + $12 = $532.00.
Inputs
Result
Area = 12 × 4 = 48 sq in. Outline only = 1 min/sq in, so 48 × 1 = 48 min = 0.8 hours. Material cost = 48 × $0.10 = $4.80.
Time depends on project area and detail level. A simple outline on an 8×10-inch piece takes about 1.3 hours, while a photorealistic burn on the same surface takes roughly 26.7 hours. Detail level is the biggest factor — photorealistic work takes 20x longer than outlines.
| Detail Level | Time/sq in | 8×10" Piece | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outline | 1 min | 1.3 hrs | Signs, lettering |
| Low | 2 min | 2.7 hrs | Simple patterns |
| Medium | 5 min | 6.7 hrs | Landscapes, animals |
| High | 12 min | 16.0 hrs | Portraits, fine art |
| Photorealistic | 20 min | 26.7 hrs | Gallery pieces |
Basswood is the top choice for beginners and pros alike. It burns evenly at 650–750°F, has minimal grain interference, and costs about $0.15 per square inch. Birch and maple are also popular for their smooth surface, though maple requires higher temperatures.
| Wood Type | Temp Range | Cost/sq in | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basswood | 650–750°F | $0.15 | Beginner |
| Birch | 650–750°F | $0.08 | Beginner |
| Maple | 700–800°F | $0.20 | Intermediate |
| Pine | 600–700°F | $0.10 | Tricky (resin) |
| Cherry | 700–800°F | $0.22 | Advanced |
A common formula is (hours × hourly rate × 1.3) + material cost. The 1.3 multiplier adds a 30% markup for overhead and profit. Most pyrography artists charge $20–$50 per hour depending on skill level and market.
Temperature depends on wood type. Basswood burns well at 650–750°F, pine is softest at 600–700°F, and maple needs more heat at 700–800°F. Always start low and increase gradually to avoid scorching.
Universal tips work for general burning. Use shader tips for filling large areas, fine-detail tips for intricate lines and lettering, and calligraphy tips for flowing decorative scripts. Most projects use 2–3 different tips.
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Last Updated: Mar 9, 2026
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