# Proofsheet

> Free recipe costing and cottage food label maker for home bakers and caterers: cost per unit, prices, quotes and state labels.

- Proofsheet costs recipes for small food businesses (home bakers, caterers, food trucks) and prints cottage food labels; free during the beta, runs in the browser, data stays on the device (IndexedDB) with JSON backup.
- Costing: batch cost = ingredients ÷ (1 − waste %) + hands-on minutes × hourly rate + overhead; cost per pack = batch ÷ packs + packaging; price = cost ÷ (1 − target margin) or cost × (1 + markup), rounded up to a price point.
- Unit conversion: exact US customary weight/volume definitions; cups to grams via grams-per-cup for 146 baking ingredients from King Arthur Baking’s ingredient weight chart and USDA FoodData Central (fetched October 2026).
- Labels: ingredient statement in descending order by weight computed from the recipe including sub-recipes (21 CFR 101.4); "Contains" line for the 9 major US allergens (milk, egg, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soy, sesame — sesame since 2023-01-01, FASTER Act); net weight in oz and g (21 CFR 101.7).
- State rules: cottage food statement wording, label elements, sales caps, permits and online/shipping rules for all 50 US states, checked October 2026 against state statutes and agency pages; 31 of 50 fully confirmed on a primary source, the rest flagged on their pages.
- Print layouts: Avery 5160, 5163, 5164, 22806 (2" square) and 22817 (2" round), plus 2"×1" and 4"×6" direct-thermal labels, with an alignment test print.
- Nutrition Facts panel is an estimate from USDA SR Legacy data with 21 CFR 101.9(c) rounding; small retailers are generally exempt from nutrition labeling unless they make a nutrition claim (21 CFR 101.9(j)(1)).
- Not legal advice: checklists and calculators; confirm label rules with the state or county agency.

## Tools

- [Proofsheet workbench](https://recipe-costing-calculator.pages.dev/): Free recipe costing and cottage food label maker for home bakers and caterers: cost per unit, prices, quotes and state labels.
- [Bakery pricing calculator](https://recipe-costing-calculator.pages.dev/bakery-pricing-calculator/): Price per cupcake, cookie or brownie from ingredients, labour, overhead and packaging.
- [Recipe cost calculator](https://recipe-costing-calculator.pages.dev/recipe-cost-calculator/): Cost per serving from pack prices, converting cups, grams and pieces.
- [Baking unit converter](https://recipe-costing-calculator.pages.dev/baking-unit-converter/): Cups, spoons, grams and ounces for 146 baking ingredients.
- [Food cost percentage calculator](https://recipe-costing-calculator.pages.dev/food-cost-percentage-calculator/): Food cost % per menu item and the price for a target.

## Cottage food label rules by state

- [Alabama cottage food label requirements](https://recipe-costing-calculator.pages.dev/cottage-food-laws/alabama/): Statement: "This food is not inspected by the Alabama Department of Public Health or local health department". No sales cap found. Checked 2026-10-17 (not fully verified).
- [Alaska cottage food label requirements](https://recipe-costing-calculator.pages.dev/cottage-food-laws/alaska/): Statement: "This food was made in a home kitchen, is not regulated or inspected, except for meat and meat products, and may contain allergens.". No sales cap found. Checked 2026-10-17 (not fully verified).
- [Arizona cottage food label requirements](https://recipe-costing-calculator.pages.dev/cottage-food-laws/arizona/): Statement: "This product was produced in a home kitchen that may come in contact with common food allergens and pet allergens and is not subject to public health inspection.". No sales cap found. Checked 2026-10-17.
- [Arkansas cottage food label requirements](https://recipe-costing-calculator.pages.dev/cottage-food-laws/arkansas/): Statement: "This product was produced in a private residence that is exempt from state licensing and inspection. This product may contain allergens.". No sales cap found. Checked 2026-10-17.
- [California cottage food label requirements](https://recipe-costing-calculator.pages.dev/cottage-food-laws/california/): Statement: "Made in a Home Kitchen". Sales cap $88,878/yr. Checked 2026-10-17 (not fully verified).
- [Colorado cottage food label requirements](https://recipe-costing-calculator.pages.dev/cottage-food-laws/colorado/): Statement: "This product was produced in a home kitchen that is not subject to state licensure or inspection and that may also process common food allergens such as tree nuts, peanuts, eggs, soy, wheat, milk, fish, and crustacean shellfish. This product is not intended for resale.". Sales cap $10,000/yr. Checked 2026-10-17.
- [Connecticut cottage food label requirements](https://recipe-costing-calculator.pages.dev/cottage-food-laws/connecticut/): Statement: "Made in a Cottage Food Operation that is not Subject to Routine Government Food Safety Inspection.". Sales cap $50,000/yr. Checked 2026-10-17 (not fully verified).
- [Delaware cottage food label requirements](https://recipe-costing-calculator.pages.dev/cottage-food-laws/delaware/): Statement: "This food is made in a Cottage Food Establishment and is NOT subject to routine Government Food Safety Inspections". No sales cap found. Checked 2026-10-17.
- [Florida cottage food label requirements](https://recipe-costing-calculator.pages.dev/cottage-food-laws/florida/): Statement: "Made in a cottage food operation that is not subject to Florida's food safety regulations.". Sales cap $250,000/yr. Checked 2026-10-17.
- [Georgia cottage food label requirements](https://recipe-costing-calculator.pages.dev/cottage-food-laws/georgia/): Statement: "This product was produced at a residential property that is exempt from state inspection. This product may contain allergens.". No sales cap found. Checked 2026-10-17.
- [Hawaii cottage food label requirements](https://recipe-costing-calculator.pages.dev/cottage-food-laws/hawaii/): Statement: "Made in a home kitchen not routinely inspected by the Department of Health". No sales cap found. Checked 2026-10-17.
- [Idaho cottage food label requirements](https://recipe-costing-calculator.pages.dev/cottage-food-laws/idaho/): Statement: "This product is not subject to government food safety inspection or licensing requirements. It may contain allergens.". No sales cap found. Checked 2026-10-18 (not fully verified).
- [Illinois cottage food label requirements](https://recipe-costing-calculator.pages.dev/cottage-food-laws/illinois/): Statement: "This product was produced in a home kitchen not inspected by a health department that may also process common food allergens. If you have safety concerns, contact your local health department.". No sales cap found. Checked 2026-10-17 (not fully verified).
- [Indiana cottage food label requirements](https://recipe-costing-calculator.pages.dev/cottage-food-laws/indiana/): Statement: "This product is home produced and processed and the production area has not been inspected by the Indiana Department of Health. NOT FOR RESALE.". No sales cap found. Checked 2026-10-18 (not fully verified).
- [Iowa cottage food label requirements](https://recipe-costing-calculator.pages.dev/cottage-food-laws/iowa/): Statement: "This product was produced at a residential property that is exempt from state licensing and inspection.". No sales cap found. Checked 2026-10-18.
- [Kansas cottage food label requirements](https://recipe-costing-calculator.pages.dev/cottage-food-laws/kansas/): No fixed statement. No sales cap found. Checked 2026-10-18 (not fully verified).
- [Kentucky cottage food label requirements](https://recipe-costing-calculator.pages.dev/cottage-food-laws/kentucky/): Statement: "This product is home-produced and processed". Sales cap $60,000/yr. Checked 2026-10-18 (not fully verified).
- [Louisiana cottage food label requirements](https://recipe-costing-calculator.pages.dev/cottage-food-laws/louisiana/): Statement: "Not produced in a licensed or regulated facility". Sales cap $100,000/yr. Checked 2026-10-18 (not fully verified).
- [Maine cottage food label requirements](https://recipe-costing-calculator.pages.dev/cottage-food-laws/maine/): No fixed statement. No sales cap found. Checked 2026-10-18 (not fully verified).
- [Maryland cottage food label requirements](https://recipe-costing-calculator.pages.dev/cottage-food-laws/maryland/): Statement: "Made by a cottage food business that is not subject to Maryland’s food safety regulations". Sales cap $100,000/yr. Checked 2026-10-18.
- [Massachusetts cottage food label requirements](https://recipe-costing-calculator.pages.dev/cottage-food-laws/massachusetts/): No fixed statement. No sales cap found. Checked 2026-10-17.
- [Michigan cottage food label requirements](https://recipe-costing-calculator.pages.dev/cottage-food-laws/michigan/): Statement: "Made in a home kitchen that has not been inspected by the Michigan department of agriculture and rural development.". Sales cap $50,000/yr. Checked 2026-10-17 (not fully verified).
- [Minnesota cottage food label requirements](https://recipe-costing-calculator.pages.dev/cottage-food-laws/minnesota/): Statement: "These products are homemade and not subject to state inspection.". Sales cap $78,000/yr. Checked 2026-10-17.
- [Mississippi cottage food label requirements](https://recipe-costing-calculator.pages.dev/cottage-food-laws/mississippi/): Statement: "Made in a Cottage Food operation that is not subject to Mississippi's food safety regulations.". Sales cap $35,000/yr. Checked 2026-10-17.
- [Missouri cottage food label requirements](https://recipe-costing-calculator.pages.dev/cottage-food-laws/missouri/): Statement: "This product is prepared in a kitchen that is not subject to inspection by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services". No sales cap found. Checked 2026-10-17 (not fully verified).
- [Montana cottage food label requirements](https://recipe-costing-calculator.pages.dev/cottage-food-laws/montana/): Statement: "Made in a home kitchen that is not subject to retail food establishment regulations or inspections.". No sales cap found. Checked 2026-10-17.
- [Nebraska cottage food label requirements](https://recipe-costing-calculator.pages.dev/cottage-food-laws/nebraska/): Statement: "This food was prepared in a kitchen that is not subject to regulation and inspection by the regulatory authority and may contain allergens.". No sales cap found. Checked 2026-10-17.
- [Nevada cottage food label requirements](https://recipe-costing-calculator.pages.dev/cottage-food-laws/nevada/): Statement: "MADE IN A COTTAGE FOOD OPERATION THAT IS NOT SUBJECT TO GOVERNMENT FOOD SAFETY INSPECTION". Sales cap $100,000/yr. Checked 2026-10-17.
- [New Hampshire cottage food label requirements](https://recipe-costing-calculator.pages.dev/cottage-food-laws/new-hampshire/): Statement: "This product is exempt from New Hampshire licensing and inspection.". No sales cap found. Checked 2026-10-17 (not fully verified).
- [New Jersey cottage food label requirements](https://recipe-costing-calculator.pages.dev/cottage-food-laws/new-jersey/): Statement: "This food is prepared pursuant to N.J.A.C. 8:24-11 in a home kitchen that has not been inspected by the Department of Health.". Sales cap $50,000/yr. Checked 2026-10-17.
- [New Mexico cottage food label requirements](https://recipe-costing-calculator.pages.dev/cottage-food-laws/new-mexico/): Statement: "This product is home produced and is exempt from state licensing and inspection. This product may contain allergens.". No sales cap found. Checked 2026-10-17.
- [New York cottage food label requirements](https://recipe-costing-calculator.pages.dev/cottage-food-laws/new-york/): Statement: "Made in a Home Kitchen". No sales cap found. Checked 2026-10-17.
- [North Carolina cottage food label requirements](https://recipe-costing-calculator.pages.dev/cottage-food-laws/north-carolina/): No fixed statement. No sales cap found. Checked 2026-10-17.
- [North Dakota cottage food label requirements](https://recipe-costing-calculator.pages.dev/cottage-food-laws/north-dakota/): Statement: "This product is made in a home kitchen that is not inspected by the state or local health department.". No sales cap found. Checked 2026-10-18 (not fully verified).
- [Ohio cottage food label requirements](https://recipe-costing-calculator.pages.dev/cottage-food-laws/ohio/): Statement: "This product is home produced.". No sales cap found. Checked 2026-10-18.
- [Oklahoma cottage food label requirements](https://recipe-costing-calculator.pages.dev/cottage-food-laws/oklahoma/): Statement: "This product was produced in a facility that is exempt from government licensing and inspection.". Sales cap $250,000/yr. Checked 2026-10-17.
- [Oregon cottage food label requirements](https://recipe-costing-calculator.pages.dev/cottage-food-laws/oregon/): Statement: "This product is homemade, is not prepared in an inspected food establishment, and must be stored and displayed separately if merchandised by a retailer.". Sales cap $52,700/yr. Checked 2026-10-17.
- [Pennsylvania cottage food label requirements](https://recipe-costing-calculator.pages.dev/cottage-food-laws/pennsylvania/): No fixed statement. No sales cap found. Checked 2026-10-17.
- [Rhode Island cottage food label requirements](https://recipe-costing-calculator.pages.dev/cottage-food-laws/rhode-island/): Statement: "Made by a Cottage Food Business Registrant that is not Subject to Routine Government Food Safety Inspection". Sales cap $50,000/yr. Checked 2026-10-18 (not fully verified).
- [South Carolina cottage food label requirements](https://recipe-costing-calculator.pages.dev/cottage-food-laws/south-carolina/): Statement: "PROCESSED AND PREPARED BY A HOME-BASED FOOD PRODUCTION OPERATION THAT IS NOT SUBJECT TO SOUTH CAROLINA'S FOOD SAFETY REGULATIONS.". No sales cap found. Checked 2026-10-18 (not fully verified).
- [South Dakota cottage food label requirements](https://recipe-costing-calculator.pages.dev/cottage-food-laws/south-dakota/): Statement: "This product was not produced in a commercial kitchen. It has been home-processed in a kitchen that may also process common food allergens such as tree nuts, peanuts, eggs, soy, wheat, milk, fish, and crustacean shellfish.". No sales cap found. Checked 2026-10-17.
- [Tennessee cottage food label requirements](https://recipe-costing-calculator.pages.dev/cottage-food-laws/tennessee/): Statement: "This product was produced at a private residence that is exempt from state licensing and inspection. This product may contain allergens.". No sales cap found. Checked 2026-10-17 (not fully verified).
- [Texas cottage food label requirements](https://recipe-costing-calculator.pages.dev/cottage-food-laws/texas/): Statement: "THIS PRODUCT WAS PRODUCED IN A PRIVATE RESIDENCE THAT IS NOT SUBJECT TO GOVERNMENTAL LICENSING OR INSPECTION.". Sales cap $150,000/yr. Checked 2026-10-25.
- [Utah cottage food label requirements](https://recipe-costing-calculator.pages.dev/cottage-food-laws/utah/): Statement: "NOT FOR RESALE / PROCESSED AND PREPARED WITHOUT STATE OR LOCAL INSPECTION". No sales cap found. Checked 2026-10-17 (not fully verified).
- [Vermont cottage food label requirements](https://recipe-costing-calculator.pages.dev/cottage-food-laws/vermont/): Statement: "Made in a home kitchen not inspected by the Vermont Department of Health.". Sales cap $30,000/yr. Checked 2026-10-17.
- [Virginia cottage food label requirements](https://recipe-costing-calculator.pages.dev/cottage-food-laws/virginia/): Statement: "NOT FOR RESALE PROCESSED AND PREPARED WITHOUT STATE INSPECTION.". No sales cap found. Checked 2026-10-17.
- [Washington cottage food label requirements](https://recipe-costing-calculator.pages.dev/cottage-food-laws/washington/): Statement: "Made in a home kitchen that has not been subject to standard inspection criteria.". Sales cap $35,000/yr. Checked 2026-10-17.
- [West Virginia cottage food label requirements](https://recipe-costing-calculator.pages.dev/cottage-food-laws/west-virginia/): Statement: "This product was produced at a private residence that is exempt from State licensing and inspection. This product may contain allergens.". No sales cap found. Checked 2026-10-17.
- [Wisconsin cottage food label requirements](https://recipe-costing-calculator.pages.dev/cottage-food-laws/wisconsin/): No fixed statement. No sales cap found. Checked 2026-10-17.
- [Wyoming cottage food label requirements](https://recipe-costing-calculator.pages.dev/cottage-food-laws/wyoming/): Statement: "this food was made in a home kitchen, is not regulated or inspected and may contain allergens". Sales cap $250,000/yr. Checked 2026-10-17.

## Guides

- [How to Price Baked Goods: The Cost-Plus Method](https://recipe-costing-calculator.pages.dev/guides/how-to-price-baked-goods/): To price baked goods, add up the full cost of one sellable unit (ingredients adjusted for waste, your labor at an hourly rate, overhead and packaging), then divide by one minus your target margin and round up to a clean price point. A 50% margin is the same as a 100% markup. For a labor rate, a useful benchmark is the BLS median wage for bakers, $17.86 an hour as of May 2025.
- [Cottage Food Label Requirements: A Checklist](https://recipe-costing-calculator.pages.dev/guides/cottage-food-label-requirements/): Cottage food label requirements are set by each state, but most labels need the same core items: your business name and address (or a state ID number), the product name, ingredients in descending order by weight, allergens, often net quantity, and a state-specific statement that the food was made in an uninspected home kitchen. Texas requires its statement in capital letters and, since September 1, 2025, allows a registration number instead of a home address; Florida requires its statement in at least 10-point type.
- [Allergen Labeling: Writing a Contains Statement](https://recipe-costing-calculator.pages.dev/guides/allergen-labeling-contains-statement/): US food labels must declare the nine major food allergens: milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans and sesame, with sesame added by the FASTER Act effective January 1, 2023. Declare them either in parentheses inside the ingredient list, such as "whey (milk)", or in a "Contains" statement printed immediately after or adjacent to the ingredient list in type no smaller than the list. Tree nuts must be named by type, and since FDA's January 2025 guidance, coconut is no longer treated as a tree nut.
- [Recipe Costing for Caterers: Cost Per Guest](https://recipe-costing-calculator.pages.dev/guides/recipe-costing-for-caterers/): Recipe costing for a caterer means turning every dish into a cost per guest: ingredient cost divided by (1 minus waste %), plus prep labor at your hourly rate, plus overhead, divided by the guest count. In the worked 120-guest example below that comes to $6.74 per guest, which prices at $17.00 per guest for food at a 60% margin. Re-cost before every quote, because BLS average prices moved sharply between September 2025 and September 2026 (eggs down 34.9%, butter down 17.3%).
- [Food Truck Menu Pricing: Cost Each Plate First](https://recipe-costing-calculator.pages.dev/guides/food-truck-menu-pricing/): Food truck menu pricing starts with the full cost of one plate: ingredients with waste, packaging, and your shift labor and daily overhead divided by the plates you expect to sell. In the worked example a taco plate costs $4.51 and sells for $8.00 (27.5% food cost); at an event that takes 10% of sales, the same profit per plate needs a $9.00 price. Recheck prices at least yearly, since the BLS food-away-from-home index rose 3.5% in the 12 months to September 2026.
- [Cake Pricing: How to Price Custom Cakes](https://recipe-costing-calculator.pages.dev/guides/how-to-price-custom-cakes/): Price a custom cake from its full cost, not a per-serving chart: ingredients adjusted for waste, every hour of baking, decorating and consultation at your hourly rate, overhead, and boxes, boards and supports. Divide that cost by one minus your margin and round up. Charge delivery separately; the IRS business mileage rate is 76 cents a mile for July to December 2026, before your drive time.
- [Food Cost Percentage Formula and How to Use It](https://recipe-costing-calculator.pages.dev/guides/food-cost-percentage/): Food cost percentage = ingredient cost ÷ menu price × 100. A cupcake with $0.47 of ingredients that sells for $3.75 has a 12.6% food cost. For a period, use (beginning inventory + purchases − ending inventory) ÷ food sales × 100. It is a check on pricing, not a pricing method on its own, because it ignores labor; ingredient prices also move, with BLS average egg prices down 34.9% from September 2025 to September 2026.
- [Home Bakery Startup Costs: A Real Budget](https://recipe-costing-calculator.pages.dev/guides/home-bakery-startup-costs/): Starting a bakery from home under a cottage food law can cost well under $2,000 if you already own an oven and basic tools: the example budget below totals $1,550 plus a 10% buffer ($1,705), before your state's permit fees. At $12 a box of six cookies and a fair wage for your time, recovering that in six months takes about 82 boxes a month. IRS Publication 583 (Dec 2024) lets you elect to deduct up to $5,000 of start-up costs.
- [Nutrition Label Generator From Recipe: A Guide](https://recipe-costing-calculator.pages.dev/guides/nutrition-facts-label-for-baked-goods/): A nutrition label generator from a recipe adds up each ingredient's nutrients from a database such as USDA FoodData Central, divides by the number of servings, and applies FDA's rounding rules in 21 CFR 101.9. Many home bakers do not need a Nutrition Facts panel: retailers with annual gross sales of $500,000 or less, or food sales to consumers of $50,000 or less, are exempt as long as the food carries no nutrition claims. Any claim, such as "low sugar", removes that exemption.

## Optional

- [Full text of all guides](https://recipe-costing-calculator.pages.dev/llms-full.txt): every guide as plain Markdown