Build a professional, line-by-line quote with plain-English explanations for each cost component. Send it alongside your quote to help clients understand what they are paying for.
Edit these explanations to match your specific job. Plain language that helps clients understand what they are paying for builds trust and reduces price negotiation.
Download a professional PDF you can send alongside your quote. The justification explanations help clients see value, not just price.
Break the quote into components: paper cost (usually 40-60% of total), printing cost, finishing cost, and delivery. Show the per-unit cost and compare it to the per-impression value. For a 10,000-piece direct mail job at Rs 15 per piece, that is Rs 0.15 per reader reached — often less expensive than digital ads for the same targeted audience.
Print costs are dominated by setup costs — plate making, makeready, and press setup are the same whether you print 1,000 or 10,000 copies. Per-unit cost falls dramatically with quantity. Premium finishes add 30-80% to base print cost but can significantly increase perceived value.
Ensure all quotes specify identical: paper grade and GSM, colour count, finishing, and quantity. Ask for itemised breakdowns — paper, printing, finishing, proofing separately. A cheaper quote often uses lower board grade or excludes proofing.
Folding carton cost is driven by: board grade (SBS costs 30-50% more than duplex), quantity (fixed setup costs amortised over more units), number of colours, finishing (soft touch and foil add significantly), and die complexity.
Premium finishing typically adds 30-80% to base print cost. Research consistently shows premium-finished packaging commands higher retail prices and perceived product value. For FMCG products, premium packaging can increase shelf conversion by 15-25%.
As a rough guide for Mumbai commercial print: A4 4-colour gloss brochure (130 GSM, matte laminated) costs approximately Rs 8-12 per copy at 1,000 copies, Rs 5-7 at 5,000 copies, Rs 3.50-5 at 10,000 copies. Packaging carton costs vary significantly by board grade, finishing, and complexity.