Work out printing job quote instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.
Print quoting is dominated by the setup-to-run ratio. Because plates and make-ready are fixed, unit cost falls steeply with quantity — which is why a doubling of quantity rarely doubles the price and why very short runs are best done digitally.
Running cost
Running = Quantity / 1,000 x Cost per thousand impressions
Quote price
Price = (Setup + Running cost) / (1 - Target margin %)
When the setup cost dominates — usually below one to two thousand impressions, depending on plate cost and substrate.
Because the marginal cost of extra copies excludes setup, so customers can add quantity cheaply if they decide before the plates come off.