In the printing universe, these six common factors determine your costs of printing per-unit:
- Choice of the paper stock
- Size of finished piece
- Whether the finished piece requires bleeds
- Quantity
- Ink Color(s)
- Finishing
Choice of Paper Stock
Paper mills collectively, produce a vast range of paper stocks in many variations of color, pattern, finishes and weight. As with paint colors, there are many versions of “white” and “ivory” as well as gradations of black/grey, blue, red, yellow, green, etc. However, not every type of paper manufactured is available in standard-sized reams (8.5″ x 11″ or 11″ x 17″); standard sizes are the most affordable options.
Size of Finished Piece
As noted above, some papers are available from paper mills/companies in pre-cut reams of 8.5″ x 11″ or 11″ x 17″ and if the size of your finished piece is 8.5″ x 11″ or 11″ x 17″ (flat or folded) you save money because trimming isn’t required and paper isn’t wasted.
Smaller items, like business cards or postcards, can be set multi-up on an 8.5” x 11” or 11” x 17” sheet.
Bleeds
As described here, when your design involves color(s) that reach the edges of a piece (i.e. bleeds) you have to actually print past the edges of the piece and then trim it down to the final size. You can save money, then, by designing your piece to be a bit smaller than 8.5″ x 11″ or 11″ x 17″ (flat or folded) so that it can be printed on an 8.5″ x 11″ or 11″ x 17″ sheet and then trimmed down. An 8.5″ x 11″ piece at final size would need to be printed on an 11″ x 17″ sheet (or possibly on a larger press-sheet, multi-up) and trimmed down.
Quantity
In printing, the more units you print the lower the price per unit because all of the labor is in the set-up. 1000 units costs more than 100 units, but not ten times more.
Ink Colors
The least expensive printing option with respect to ink is black ink. 2-color options are common: black ink plus one colored ink. 4-color printing is much more affordable than it used to be. You can also add spot colors on top of a 4-color printed piece for various special effects.
Most print shops keep a supply of stock ink colors on-hand. If you need a very specific ink color that isn’t a stock color there is usually an additional charge.
Finishing
An 8.5″ x 11″ printed flyer without bleeds or spot colors comes off the press finished. But many printed pieces require additional work post-printing. Trimming, folding, binding, collating, die-cutting, foil-stamping, embossing are all examples of finishing and add to your final cost.
If you call us (330-597-8560) to discuss a print project we will walk you through all of these elements to help you get the most out of your printing project.
