# Florist step 3: arrangements, bouquets and recipes

> Turn stems into bouquets and vases, as combo products that use stems when sold or as Manufacturing recipes made in batches with real costs.

Source: https://docs.smartposhub.com/business-types/florist/step-3-arrangements-and-recipes/  
Last updated: 2026-10-30  
Product: SmartPOS Hub (https://smartposhub.com)

A bouquet is made of stems, greenery, wrapping and a ribbon. To keep stem counts right and know what each bouquet really costs, tell SmartPOS Hub what goes into it. There are two ways, and many florists use both.

| | Combo product | Manufacturing recipe |
|---|---|---|
| **Best for** | Made-to-order arrangements | Ready-made bouquets and vases on the shelf |
| **Stems leave stock** | When you sell the arrangement | When you complete a production batch |
| **Cost** | Sum of the parts' purchase prices | Real batch cost incl. waste, labor and extras |
| **Needs a module** | No | **Manufacturing** |

## Before you start

- Stems, greenery, vases and wrapping exist as products with stock ([step 2](https://docs.smartposhub.com/business-types/florist/step-2-stems-bunches-and-freshness/)).
- The finished arrangement exists as a product (single or variable, for example "Dozen Red Roses Vase" with Standard, Deluxe and Premium).

## Option A: an arrangement as a combo

1. **Products › Add Product**, name "Classic Dozen Roses – Wrapped".
2. On **Pricing**, set **Product Type** to **Combo**.
3. Search and add each part with its **Quantity**: Red Rose ×12 (stem), Eucalyptus ×3, Wrapping paper ×1, Ribbon ×1.
4. Check the **Net Total Amount**, set the margin or the **Default Selling Price** and save.

When you sell it, every part leaves stock. Full steps: [Combo and service products](https://docs.smartposhub.com/catalog/combo-and-service-products/).

## Option B: ready-made bouquets with a recipe

> **How to turn it on**
> 1. **Plan:** Manufacturing must be in your plan.
> 2. **Switch:** Settings › Business Settings › Modules › Industry modules › Manufacturing.
> 3. **Permission:** Manufacturing permissions in User Management › Roles (recipes, production orders, costs).
> - **Mobile app:** SmartPOS Business app › Production.

1. Open **Manufacturing › Recipes** and click **Add recipe**.
2. Pick the finished product (or one variation, such as Deluxe) and the **batch output**, for example 6 vases.
3. Add each ingredient with its quantity per batch (stems in Stem or in Bunch of 10) and a **Waste %** for stems you expect to lose.
4. Add **Extra costs** such as design labor and save. The list shows **Unit cost** and **Margin**.
5. When you make a batch, click **New production**, pick the recipe, quantity and the designer it is **Assigned to**. Click **Start production**, then **Complete production** with the actual quantities, any wastage, and the lot and expiry date of the finished vases.

![Recipes list with Grab & Go Market Bouquet, Ready-Made Dozen Roses Vase, Ready-Made Garden Vase and Ready-Made Sympathy Vase, each with version, batch output, ingredient count, unit cost with margin and selling price](https://docs.smartposhub.com/_astro/florist-recipes.De4P1NIE.png) (web app page: `/manufacturing/recipes`)
*Each recipe shows its batch output, unit cost and margin.*

![Production orders list with Planned, In progress, Completed and Cancelled counts, filters, and orders for garden vases, market bouquets, sympathy and dozen roses vases with lot, quantities, status and cost](https://docs.smartposhub.com/_astro/florist-production-orders.sqcED_ga.png) (web app page: `/manufacturing/production`)
*Stock moves only when a batch is completed. Completed batches get a lot number.*

![SmartPOS Business app recipe with ingredients, materials and labor cost, cost per unit, selling price, margin and recent production orders](https://docs.smartposhub.com/_astro/business-app-recipe.wlNEvR8f.png)
*Designers can check recipes and production in the SmartPOS Business app.*

Full module guide: [Manufacturing](https://docs.smartposhub.com/modules/manufacturing/).

**Tip:** 
Before a big day, plan production orders for the ready-made bouquets you expect to sell, then check **Material shortages** on the Manufacturing dashboard. It tells you which stems to order.

## Mistakes to avoid

- **Selling a ready-made bouquet that was never "produced".** Its stock stays at 0 and the stems are still counted. Complete the production batch first.
- **Forgetting the vase.** Vases and wrapping are real costs; add them to the combo or recipe.

Next: [step 4: wastage](https://docs.smartposhub.com/business-types/florist/step-4-wastage/).

  - [Manufacturing module](https://docs.smartposhub.com/modules/manufacturing/)
  - [Combo and service products](https://docs.smartposhub.com/catalog/combo-and-service-products/)
  - [Variable products](https://docs.smartposhub.com/catalog/variable-products/)

## Frequently asked questions

### Combo product or recipe, which should I use?

Use a combo for arrangements you make when the customer orders. Use a Manufacturing recipe for ready-made bouquets and vases you make ahead in batches, so they sit on the shelf as their own stock with a real cost.

### Can one arrangement come in Standard, Deluxe and Premium?

Yes. Make it a variable product with a Size option. With Manufacturing, each variation gets its own recipe; as combos, make one combo per size.

### Do stems leave stock when I make bouquets ahead?

With a recipe, yes, when you complete the production batch. The ingredients leave stock and the bouquets arrive with their batch cost and lot.

### Can I see the cost and margin of a bouquet?

Yes. Manufacturing › Recipes shows the unit cost and the margin against the selling price, and Manufacturing reports show recipe costing over time.

### Can I add labor or a vase to the cost?

Yes. Add the vase and wrapping as ingredients, and labor as an extra cost (per batch, per unit or % of material) on the recipe.