Cheapest Print Quote? 5 Hidden Costs to Consider

Oct 15

2 min read

When comparing print quotes, it's natural to start with the bottom line. If three printers are quoting the same project, why wouldn't you choose the lowest price?

Sometimes, you absolutely should.

But the lowest price per piece doesn't always mean the lowest overall cost.

Here are five things worth considering before choosing a print supplier based on price alone.

1. Freight and Distribution

A great price on printing can lose its advantage when shipping costs are added. This is especially true for projects going to multiple locations.

Ask whether your printer can coordinate distribution, consolidate shipments, or help identify more efficient ways to get materials where they need to go.

2. Inventory and Storage

Ordering larger quantities often reduces the cost per piece. But what happens to the extra inventory?

Storage, handling, outdated materials, and eventual disposal can quickly offset those savings.

Sometimes, printing smaller quantities more frequently makes better financial sense.

3. Time Spent Managing Vendors

If one supplier prints your materials, another handles mailing, and a third manages fulfillment, someone on your team has to coordinate all three.

That time has value.

Working with a supplier that can handle multiple stages of a project may reduce administrative work, communication gaps, and unnecessary handoffs.

4. Errors and Reprints

Mistakes happen in every industry. What matters is how they're prevented and resolved.

A missed specification, incorrect version, or production delay can create expenses far beyond the original print job.

An experienced print partner should help identify potential problems before they become costly ones.

5. Flexibility When Plans Change

Marketing campaigns shift. Product launches move. Quantities change.

A supplier's ability to adapt can be just as valuable as their initial pricing.

When something changes at the last minute, responsiveness and production flexibility can make a significant difference.

The Bottom Line

The smartest print purchasing decision isn't necessarily the cheapest quote. It's the one that delivers the best overall value for the project.

Before comparing prices, make sure you're comparing the entire scope: production, finishing, freight, fulfillment, timing, and service.

Because the real cost of print isn't always reflected in the price per piece.

At EM Printing, we help organizations look at the bigger picture—from production through distribution—to find solutions that make sense operationally and financially.