How much does pamphlet printing cost? What changes the price
Why do 4,000 pamphlets cost only a little more than 2,000? How plates, paper, size and sides change the price of offset pamphlet printing, with real examples.
Pamphlets (flyers, leaflets, handbills) are still one of the cheapest ways to reach thousands of people in a neighbourhood. But printing quotes can look confusing: why is the price per pamphlet so much lower at higher quantities? Here is how offset printing prices actually work.
The two parts of every offset price
- One-time costs: making the printing plates and setting up the press. Full-colour printing needs four plates (cyan, magenta, yellow and black). This is paid once per job, whatever the quantity.
- Running costs: paper, ink and press time, which grow with the number of copies.
Because the plates cost the same whether you print 2,000 or 20,000, the more you print, the lower the price per pamphlet.
Real examples (before GST)
| Pamphlet | Quantity | Per pamphlet |
|---|---|---|
| A4 (8.5 × 11 in), 90 GSM art, full colour, one side | 2,000 | ₹1.35 |
| A4 (8.5 × 11 in), 90 GSM art, full colour, one side | 4,000 | ₹1.15 |
| A5 (5.5 × 8.75 in), 90 GSM art, full colour, one side | 4,000 | ₹0.69 |
| A5 (5.5 × 8.75 in), 90 GSM art, full colour, one side | 8,000 | ₹0.60 |
| A4, 70 GSM, single colour, both sides | 2,000 | ₹0.65 |
What else changes the price
- Size: A5 is half of A4, so twice as many fit on a sheet. That is why A5 starts from 4,000 and A4 from 2,000.
- Paper: 100 GSM costs a little more than 90 GSM and feels firmer.
- Both sides: printing the back adds plates and press time.
- Single colour: one ink instead of four is much cheaper, ideal for notices and price lists.
How many pamphlets do you need?
A rough rule for door-to-door distribution is one pamphlet per household you want to reach, plus 10% for shop counters and events. Newspaper inserts depend on the circulation the vendor quotes you.
You can design your pamphlet online and see the exact price for your quantity before you pay.