What drives print prices?

Have you ever received an estimate, or worse, an invoice, from a printer and were surprised at the total cost? Many variables contribute to that cost. Here are some important ones to consider when planning your next project.

Quantity:
The more you print, the more it costs because more paper and press time is required to run the job. However, as the quantity goes up, the unit cost goes down ‹ often dramatically. So when figuring out how many pieces you need, it's best to guess on the high side because it's much less expensive than having to print a second run.

Revisions:
The more you make, the more it costs. Also, the further along in the production process you are, the more expensive revisions become. Changes made after a job is sent to the printer are usually the most expensive. Proof everything carefully and approve everything (copy, design, size, etc.) before sending a job to the printer.

Color:
The more colors you use, the more expensive it is. This is because more materials and time are required in the prep or make ready stage, and a larger (thus more expensive) press is needed to run the job. Tips: Three color printing is not very economical because you either have to run it through a two color press twice, or on a four color press. If you are considering a three color job, you should consider your objective. If it's impact, look at a four color option. If it's budget, cut back to two colors.