Online Printing Pricing

How is Printing Priced?

The cost of a printing project includes the materials, labor and production resources needed to complete it. When calculating a price, we estimate the paper and ink required, along with the employee time needed to produce each project.

Additional finishing options, such as die cutting, coatings or lamination, can add to the total cost.

Printing prices also account for equipment, maintenance, facility expenses and the services needed to operate a production facility. The final price includes a margin that helps cover business expenses, including sales and customer service.

Since Smartpress is a 100% employee-owned corporation, profits remaining after expenses are returned to the employees who produce projects and support our customers.

Why Do Printing Prices Vary Between Printers?

Printing prices can vary between online printers because each company has different equipment, production processes, labor costs and operating expenses. Even small differences in equipment can affect how efficiently a project is produced and how much it costs.

For example, one printer may have an inserting machine that can automatically insert a card into an envelope, while another printer might do the same work manually by hand.Price isn’t the only factor to consider when choosing an online printer. With Smartpress, you also get:

• A team of print experts ready to help with your project from start to finish.
• Personalized customer service with clear, consistent communication.
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• Quick turnaround time.
• An easy online ordering platform that lets you customize your projects in real time.
• The assurance that your projects are printed with eco-friendly practices.

How Does Quantity Affect Printing Prices?

Every print job has fixed production costs, regardless of the order quantity. These costs can include everything from reviewing the file setup to processing the shipment.

As the quantity increases, additional costs mainly come from the extra paper and ink needed. Fixed costs generally stay the same, so they’re spread across more pieces.

That’s why the cost per piece typically decreases as you order more. A larger quantity can lower the per-piece price even though the total order cost increases.

Does Double-Sided Printing Cost More?

Yes. Double-sided printing typically costs more than one-sided printing because it requires additional ink and press time. Most digital presses flip the project and make a second pass to print the other side, increasing machine time and ink usage.

How Do Coatings and Laminates Affect Printing Prices?

The cost of coatings and laminates varies depending on the finish and materials used. UV coatings and laminates like Soft Touch require different raw materials and manufacturing processes, which can affect their prices.

The type of paper stock or print substrate can also affect the cost. Different materials absorb and adhere to coatings differently, which may change processing speeds and the amount of coating needed to achieve the desired finish.

Does Full-Color Printing Cost More Than Black Ink?

Yes. Full-color printing generally costs more than black-only printing because it uses more ink and requires additional press time. Most commercial digital printing equipment uses four colors to produce full-color projects: CMYK, which stands for cyan, magenta, yellow and black. These colors combine to create thousands of different colors and shades.

Black-only printing costs less because it uses just one ink color. Digital presses can also print black-only projects faster than full-color projects, which require all four CMYK colors.

Is There a Surcharge for Custom Print Sizes?

Yes. Smartpress applies a surcharge to products printed in custom sizes. This includes sizes that aren’t listed in the size dropdowns on our product pages, as well as projects created through Custom Quote.

The surcharge ranges from $10–$15 for most products, with a $100 surcharge for booklets.

Custom sizes require additional production work and time, which is why they cost more. Smartpress offers both preset dimensions and custom sizing options so you can choose what works best for your project.

How is a Custom Quote Priced?

A Custom Quote is priced similarly to a regular print order. A quote is typically needed when your project requires something outside our standard product options, such as a quantity beyond the listed range, a non-standard paper stock or a combination of finishing options not available in our online pricing calculator.

Our professional estimating team reviews these project details and manually calculates the price.

How are Shipping Costs Calculated?

Shipping fees vary by weight, size, distance to travel and transit time. For example, a small package shipped overnight across the country may cost more than a larger package sent by ground.

What Payment Options Does Smartpress Accept?

Smartpress accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover for online credit card payments. Some larger corporate accounts may qualify for invoice processing, and split payments are also available.