When you need printed marketing material, promotional collateral, internal communications or stationery, print quality and paper stock matter enormously. So does your budget, and so does your deadline. These three factors, quality, speed and cost, rarely all pull in the same direction, and finding the right balance is the real challenge.
Paper stock, colour, size and finishing options all affect the final price, and the range is wide. What surprises many businesses is that the same specification can produce quotes that differ by up to 100% across three different printers. That gap usually comes down to the type of equipment each printer runs and the mark-up each applies to labour and materials.
Asking how much coloured print costs is a bit like asking how long a piece of string is. Even so, the team at D2R Print & Design has put together this plain-English guide so you go into any print conversation properly informed.
What Are The Main Factors That Govern Printing Costs?
Four broad factors determine what you pay for print. Quantity, size and page count, finishing options, and printing method (litho, digital or large format) each play a part. Here is what each one means in practice.
Quantity brings economies of scale. The more you print, the lower the unit price, because there is a fixed setup cost whether you print 100 or 10,000 copies. Spread that setup cost across a larger run and each item costs less.
Size affects cost through paper wastage. Standard sizes such as A6, A5, A4 and A3 are the most economical because sheets are cut with minimal waste. An unusual size that falls between standards means more off-cuts and a higher price per unit.
Number of pages determines your total print impressions. A double-sided leaflet is two pages. An A4 sheet folded in half gives you four pages. Multiply the page count by the quantity and you arrive at the total number of impressions the press must produce, which directly drives the cost.
Finishing Touches cover everything from paper weight and lamination to die-cutting and spot varnish. Each addition increases production time and material cost, so it pays to decide early which finishes your job genuinely needs.
Method Of Printing comes in three main forms. Litho printing suits large quantities and delivers excellent unit costs, though it needs a longer lead time. Digital printing turns jobs around fast and works well for shorter runs, though unit costs rise on higher quantities. Large format printing covers anything bigger than A3, from posters to banners.
Sample Print Costs
The figures below are rough guides based on popular specifications. Prices vary between printers and change over time due to paper and energy costs, so always confirm the current price directly with your printer before committing.
Flyers
Based on 170gsm paper
- 170gsm gloss paper
- Single sided A6 , qty of 5k @ £95, qty of 10k @ £145
- Double sided A5 , qty of 5k @ £170, qty of 10k @ £245
Brochures
Based on 20 pages, 170gsm throughout, staple bound (saddle stitched)
- A4 , qty of 500 @ £700, qty of 1000 @ £975
- A5 , qty of 1000 @ £575, qty of 2000 @ £860
Business Cards
Based on 450gsm, matt laminated both sides, double-sided, full colour
- Qty of 250 @ £45, qty of 500 @ £65
A4 Letterheads
Based on 120gsm single-sided, full colour
- Qty of 1000 @ £85, qty of 2000 @ £125
Posters
Based on full-colour, single-sided, 170gsm gloss
- A3 , qty of 250 @ £85, qty of 500 @ £130
- A2 , qty of 100 @ £120, qty of 250 @ £165
Before You Place Your Order
Print pricing has a lot of moving parts, but the figures above give you a solid starting point for any conversation with a printer. Bear in mind that finished quality also varies, so ask for physical samples before you commit to a job, and always request a proof before the press runs.
If you have a specific job in mind and want a straight answer on cost, call the D2R Print & Design team on 01923 232593 and we will talk it through with you.
