How to Get An Accurate Custom Printing Quote

#2 Consider Print & Paper Qualities

When requesting a custom printing quote, there are other factors you’ll need to keep in mind as well. Make sure to consider:

Paper size. This should likely go without saying, but printing large signage will cost more than printing something smaller, such as instructions, manuals or handouts.

Paper type. The type of collateral you’re printing will often help dictate the type of paper that will work best for your project. Some options may include glossy card stock, matte card stock, cardboard, paperboard, fine art paper, and more.

Ink type. Unfortunately, there’s often a pretty big price difference between black & white and color printing. Make sure to consider what’s most needed for your project, and how ink selection may factor into the cost. Still unsure?

Some questions to ask yourself are:

• Are my materials image-heavy?
• Are my materials text heavy?
• What is the main purpose of the collateral (to inform? to excite the imagination?)

If you’ll need single or double-sided printing. Does your collateral need to be printed on one side or two? Often, printing on both sides of the paper costs less money and is more eco-friendly (less paper, less ink, less waste).

#3 Determine If You’ll Need Finishing Services

Many customers who are looking for print services fail to overlook post-printing press needs. Educational materials especially, and any printed work which needs to be presented in book format, will often need binding or additional compilation work.

Some options include:

• Coil binding. Coil binding features flexible spines which keep their shape. They lay flat when opened and often work well with odd size reports.
• Comb binding. Similar to coil binding, comb binding also lays flat when open and is a good choice for irregular paper sizes.
• Velo binding. This type of binding doesn’t lay flat when opened and is an excellent choice for legal briefs, transcripts, financial reports, because it tightly binds printed paper up to 3 inches thick.
• Booklet/saddle-stitching. This is an inexpensive, go-to option for small newsletters or reports (under 60 pages or so) .
• Mounting & lamination. In order to preserve, protect, or even enhance the look of your compiled materials, mounting and lamination are both options for small scale and wide format posters, trade show signage, menu boards and more.
• Folding, perforation, & scoring. Newer print technology and folding machines can quickly and accurately fold your print materials without damaging thicker paper types (such as card stock). You can also request perforation for materials that may require a tear-off, such quizzes, lists, or worksheets within handbooks or other resources.
• Cutting, stapling, drilling & collating. The devil’s in the details, and luckily, most professionals in the printing industry understand that they can make all the difference. Cutting, stapling, drilling, and collating services can help really make your final print project a success.
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#4 Review Your Budget

Part of managing your print expectations is first knowing what your budget is. Contact a local printer, or do some shopping online. Browsing printers online and reviewing their pricing can help give you an idea of what to expect before you request a custom quote. But, the good news is, most print businesses offer free quotes right from their website. Just fill out a simple form and… presto! Further still, many printing services also offer a free proof, so before you spend your dollars on custom packing, you can make sure you’re happy with the delivery before your complete order is fulfilled.