Selling and marketing
Cake Wholesale Online: Pricing, Minimums, and First Steps
A clear path to selling cakes wholesale online, from pricing per cake to setting a minimum order and getting paid.
On this page
- What wholesale buyers expect from you
- How to price a cake for wholesale
- How to build a one page wholesale price list
- Setting a minimum order and delivery terms
- Where to find wholesale buyers online
- The mistakes that cost you money
- How to track costs when ingredient prices change
- How to handle repeat orders and delivery days
- How to get paid without losing a cut
- Packaging and shipping for wholesale
Selling cake wholesale online is different from selling single cakes to friends who are not businesses. You deal with a business buyer who needs a consistent supply and a price that lets them profit. That changes how you cost, package, and schedule your baking for each wholesale order.
What to remember
- Wholesale means larger orders at a lower price per cake.
- Set a minimum order so the trip is worth your time.
- Price from your full cost, not from what a shop offers.
- Repeat orders matter more than one big sale.
- Brevl charges $20 a month and takes 0% of your sales.
What wholesale buyers expect from you
A shop needs to know they can order the same cake next week and get the same result. They want clear pricing, a simple order form, and a delivery day they can plan around. A simple order form helps you capture the cake name, size, and delivery date for each order. If you cannot promise the same result every week, they will not reorder from you.
How to price a cake for wholesale
Start with your cost per cake, then add ingredients, packaging, and your time for one cake. Then add a share of your overhead, like Brevl at $20 a month, to that total.
That total is your floor, and your wholesale price must sit above it at all times. For a deeper look at pricing, see Cake Pricing Quotes (2026): What to Send and Charge.
Cost one cake
Add up ingredients, packaging, and any decorations for a single cake.
Add your labor
Decide an hourly rate for your time and multiply by the minutes you spend.
Add overhead per cake
Divide your monthly costs, like Brevl at $20, by the number of cakes you sell.
Set your wholesale price
Add a margin on top of the total cost.
Check the buyer's price
Make sure the shop can still sell your cake at a profit after their own markup.
How to build a one page wholesale price list
Your price list should show the cake name, the size, the wholesale price, and the minimum order. Add a photo of each cake so the buyer knows exactly what they are ordering. Include your delivery days and your clear payment terms on the same page for the buyer. Keep it to one page so a shop owner can read it quickly and easily.
Send the price list as a file that the buyer can save and print easily. A PDF or a simple image works well for most small local shops and cafes. Update the list whenever your costs or your minimum order changes for your business. Then send the new version to every buyer on your list right away by email.
Setting a minimum order and delivery terms
A minimum order protects your time, so set one that covers your costs and makes the trip worthwhile. If a shop wants two cakes, the trip and the paperwork may not be worth it.
To find your minimum, add up the time and cost of a full delivery run. Include your travel, packaging, and all the hours you spend on the order for that buyer. You can also set a regular pickup day or a delivery window for your buyers.
Where to find wholesale buyers online
Local cafes, coffee shops, and small grocery stores are often good first calls for your cakes. You can also join local business groups on social media to find buyers in your area. Send a short message with your price list and a photo of your best cakes. For more on selling, visit the selling topic hub and learn more about wholesale orders.
The mistakes that cost you money
The biggest mistake is pricing too low just to win the order from a new shop. Another is not tracking your ingredient costs as they change each month and season. A third is failing to set a minimum, so you spend hours on tiny orders. Finally, not having a simple order form often leads to missed details and very unhappy buyers.
How to track costs when ingredient prices change
Ingredient costs move, so check your supplier prices each month for every item you use. If you do not update your cost per cake, your margin can shrink without you noticing.
Update your recipe cost in your pricing tool or spreadsheet at least monthly for accuracy. Then adjust your wholesale price if your floor has moved up or down since your last check. A small change in flour or butter can add up quickly over many cakes and orders.
For example, say you sell 20 cakes a month to local shops and cafes near you. Your Brevl cost is $20 a month, so overhead is just $1 per cake. Let your own ingredient cost per cake be I and your own labor cost per cake be L.
Your total cost is I plus L plus $1, which is your floor for every cake. If your wholesale price is P, your margin is P minus I plus L plus $1. If P is below that total, then you are paying the shop to take your cake.
How to handle repeat orders and delivery days
Repeat orders are the goal of wholesale, so aim for a steady weekly buyer. A small local cafe that orders every week is better than five that order once. Set the same delivery day that you can keep every week for each buyer and stick to it. Then the shop can plan their display and their own orders around it well.
Keep a simple record of what each buyer orders every week and pays for from you. Note the cake, the size, and the delivery date for each order in that record clearly and simply. That record helps you bake the same cake the same way every time for that buyer. It also helps you spot when a buyer is ready to increase their regular order.
Always start small and simple with your first wholesale order from a new shop. Bake only what the buyer has ordered and paid for in advance before delivery day. Do not bake any extra hoping to sell them later to the shop or online quickly. Your first order is a full test of your pricing, packaging, and delivery system overall.
How to get paid without losing a cut
You can take payment directly through your own Stripe or Square account and keep it all. You can also use Venmo, Cash App, Zelle, and cash for local buyers who prefer these. Brevl lets you do this from your online shop and takes 0% of your sales. Always set clear terms: payment on delivery or an invoice with a due date for every buyer.
For repeat buyers, an invoice is much easier to track than cash or apps alone. Send the invoice with the delivery or right after the order arrives at the shop safely. State the due date clearly and prominently on the invoice for the buyer to see easily. If a buyer is late, send a polite reminder and pause the next order until it is paid.
Packaging and shipping for wholesale
Wholesale cakes travel, so choose boxes that stack without crushing your beautiful cake. Use a liner or a board so the cake does not slide around inside the box. Label each box clearly with the cake name, size, and the date for the buyer. If you ship, always use a sturdy outer box and cushion the cake inside well.
Shipping cakes is harder than delivering them, so start with local delivery or pickup first. Heat, cold, and movement can easily ruin even a well packed cake during long transit. If you ship, always test one small order first to a trusted local shop near you. See what arrives in good shape before you promise any shipping to a new shop.
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- Cake Ingredients Wholesale: Cost per Batch and Your Margin
- Cake Packaging Wholesale: Cost per 100 Boxes (2026)
- Cake Pricing Excel: 5 Columns, Labor, and Margin (2026)
Common questions
What does wholesale mean for a home baker?
Wholesale means you sell your cakes in larger quantities to a business, like a cafe or shop, at a lower price per cake than you would charge a single customer. The business then sells them to their own customers. You trade a lower price for a larger, repeat order.
How do I set a minimum order?
Add up the time and cost of a delivery run. Include your travel, packaging, and the hours you spend. Then decide the smallest number of cakes that makes that trip worth it. That number is your rule for every buyer.
Do I need a business license to sell wholesale?
Check with your state department of agriculture or your local health department. Rules for wholesale can be different from selling directly to customers. You may need a license or a permit. Always confirm before you take a wholesale order. This guide is not legal advice.
How do I get paid for wholesale orders?
You can take payment through your own Stripe or Square account, plus Venmo, Cash App, Zelle, and cash. Brevl lets you do this from your shop. Set clear terms: payment on delivery or an invoice with a due date. For repeat buyers, an invoice is easier to track.
What if a shop wants a lower price than my cost?
Do not take the order. You cannot make up a loss with more volume. If the price is below your cost, you are paying to bake. Instead, offer a smaller cake or a simpler design at a lower price. Or walk away and find a buyer who values your work.
How many cakes should I bake for my first wholesale order?
Start small. Bake only what the buyer has ordered and paid for. Do not bake extra hoping to sell them. Your first order is a test of your pricing, packaging, and delivery. If it goes well, you can increase the quantity next time.
General information, not legal or tax advice.