Just like any other project, whether it be printing, designing, or anything in between, you can expect a number of contributing factors to affect the cost of your brochures. Brochure printing costs can be as low as £100 (sometimes lower) for a one-off brochure with minimal design (and most likely low quality). However, the cost can even be as high as £10,000 or higher if you’re expecting to buy professional brochures in bulk, with special colours, exclusive papers, an effective design and an elegant finish.
There are plenty of factors that you and your business need to be aware of when ordering brochures. This guide will help you learn about the brochure printing costs cost factors and methods for saving money on your upcoming brochure order.
The best way to find out brochure printing costs is to send us the details of your brochure project and we’ll provide a no obligation brochure printing cost. Fill out the form below with your details!
Brochure Printing Cost factors Explained
Just like any other printing project, there are multiple brochure printing cost factors that need to be taken into consideration when ordering a brochure that is fit for purpose. We’ve listed some of the cost factors that will need to be taken into account when ordering brochures:
The number of brochures needed
As you would expect the quantity or number of brochures is a major factor in the final cost. Usually, if you order in bulk, the unit price can be reduced tremendously. For example, we offer our customers special pricing options to help achieve the sweet spot of best economy without over-ordering surplus brochures if they plan to purchase a specific amount of brochures – so you could potentially get a lot more for a lot less.
Paper used for the brochure
Different types of paper could be used for creating the brochure and each of these will have its own cost. Usually, your printing company will have its own go-to paper for brochures but there are a number of options depending on the finish you want. Paper options include:
- Paper stock
- Card stock
- Gloss coated paper
- Silk coated paper
- Uncoated paper
It’s important to consider the type of paper as the recipients will notice the finish – anything too cheap may cause the brochure to lose it’s opacity . You’ll need to consider thickness, weight, and even the size of the paper as each of these aspects will have an effect on the final cost. Certain papers can only be ordered in certain sizes (read more about paper sizes here) . Once paper is at a certain weight (norally 170gsm) , it then needs to be creased which can add considerable cost.
Page count
There are a number of brochure designs – some spanning over two to three hundred pages – others only needing one single page. Of course, the higher the number of pages needed to be printed, the higher the cost of your final brochures. The page count also determines how the brochure will be bound; this also can have an impact on brochure prices.
Size
Brochures can be produced in a variety of paper sizes – even the folds of the paper will contribute to the size as well (view our fold out brochure Case study). The average size of a brochure paper isnt much bigger than an A4-sized sheet. Small sizes tend to be far cheaper if you’re wanting to save money. However, don’t choose small sheets just to save money as the design and the quality of your brochure matter. Talk to one of our account managers to help you determine the best size for your brochure. In short, small sizes may save you money but they may not have the desired impact.
Other factors
Other factors can contribute to the price as well such as the type of ink, how the paper is folded, the mailing or shipping methods required, finishes (i.e. foiling), and even the design of the brochure itself. Sometimes, the time of year can affect the final price as peak months are seen as more in demand.
Does the brochure finish affect brochure printing costs?
There are many different brochure finishes to make your brochure more visually appealing, or maybe you just want to go the extra mile to really wow your customers. Each finish has a different cost associated with it .Let’s take a look at some of the finishes you can add to your brochure order.
Metallic
Metallic ink creates a similar effect that foil does, but it’s less intense. Foil finishes are produced by laying down an actual material as opposed to an ink. Metallic ink can be a cost-effective finish if you’re wanting that unusual iridescent effect without the heavy cost that comes with foiling. You can read more about special ink printing here.
Foiling
Foiling is, as the name suggests, an actual foil. It can be applied to text or logos, but it can also be used to create simple designs and crests. Foils are available in a number of different colours from a bright gold to a plain matt white (white foil is often applied to coloured board where ink cannot be used). Although expensive, if you’re wanting that dazzling finish then foiling can be a great option. Foiling does have limitations, for example very fine text, so it is always worth discussing your ideas with your account manager to see where foiling can be used most effectively. You can read more about foil printing here.
Lamination
Lamination is most commonly used on the cover for a brochure, not within the contents. It usually comes in a matt, gloss or soft touch format. Lamination helps brochures to last longer and fortify the brochure.
UV varnish
UV varnish usually works bestwith matt lamination, but it can be done separately. UV varnish is a very thin transparent layer and it tends to be applied to specific images on a page rather than the entire page. This helps add a glossy shine to all of the illustrations and ‘lift’ them off the page. Some businesses will only use this for their logo or certain images. You can read more about spot UV printing here.
Embossing
Embossing helps to create a 3d effect in the design. It does this by pushing out a specific shape (usually lettering or logo) onto the page so it’s raised above the rest of the page. It has a raised texture to it. Debossing on the other hand is simply the same process but in reverse ie indented into the page.
Die-cutting
Die-cutting is a technique that involves cutting shapes onto the brochure or any other printed item. Think of it this way, you cut a unique shape into the paper, only to reveal that there is more paper or information underneath. This is great for businesses who want to display that they are creative and can think outside the box. Other more straight forward applications of die-cutting are for folders and wallets to create pockets and glue flaps. Packaging also requires die-cutting. You can read more about die cutting printing here.
How long does it take to produce a brochure?
The production time for brochures can vary depending on the requirements. If you’re needing your brochures ASAP then be prepared to pay slightly more. The average time for design through to delivering the brochures can take anywhere from 5days up to a month. It’s best to speak to our brochure printing experts and we can provide a more accurate time estimate based on your unique requirements.
What are the different types of brochures?
When you think of a brochure, what type of style do you imagine? Most people think of a brochure as a multipage document. And that’s right, they can be multipage but they could be a single sheet folder several times to creates a concertina or “ fold brochure. Different kinds of brochures tend to possess specific visual and functional tasks and you guessed it – each one has a slightly different cost!
Half-fold
Usually compared with a booklet, the half-fold is usually the easiest of brochures to create. It’s essentially just a single piece of paper that’s been folded to ensure the parts of the brochure are nicely evened. The format for the text is usually laid out like a letter or a tabloid/ article format.
Accordion or concertina fold
The accordion fold is a common fold that you’ve most likely seen before for advertisements. It’s quite similar to a Z-fold. It gets its name because it looks so similar to the accordion musical instrument.
Roll fold
Roll fold is a pretty unique style for brochure folding as it’s achieved through a succession of parallel folding. With this style of folding, there will be eight or nine panels created.
Gatefold
The gatefold style of the brochure isn’t used very often due to it being more expensive compared to the traditional brochure. It’s also more expensive due to the graphic design that would need to be laid out on this type of brochure too. The gatefold provides eight panels that can be used for branding details and illustrations.
Z-fold
The Z fold has a very distinct Zig zag shape which is why it gets its name. Z fold brochures are mostly used for image-heavy brochures as it has six panels. These are often affiliated with maps, products, image-heavy designs, graphs, and even food menus. It’s similar to the accordion fold but it is slightly more advanced. You can read more about z fold printing here.
Bi-fold
The bi-fold is the most common brochure type and it is one of the most well-known ones too. Companies will often purchase this style. This style is quite easy to hold, just like a book, and the layout makes it very easy to go through and quickly read through the information. Brochures and booklets often get mixed up but the bi-fold is a smaller and more condensed down version of the booklet.
Tri-fold
The tri-fold is another type of common brochure style, almost as common as the bi-fold. This consists of three folded panels, the panels are usually wide and short and have compacted the information for them.
Double gatefold
The double gatefold is very similar to the gatefold, the central part is bent. It’s also a bit more expensive just like the single gatefold.
Double parallel fold
Usually used for maps, but sometimes businesses can find a unique way to use them for their promotional material. This achieves sixteen panels, but it can be very expensive to produce.
Do Brochure Binding Styles Affect Cost?
While it’s commonly thought that brochures are just folded pieces of paper, the binding and stitching can come in a variety of styles which will affect the cost of your brochure. There are a few different types of binding that you could use for your brochure.
Screw fixing
If you’re looking to give your brochure a focal element then this could be an option for you. The screw fixing binding entails drilling holes into the pages of the brochure and inserting in some screws. These can give your brochure a creative look (but can be expensive on longer runs).
Wiro bound
The wiro bound style includes a metal wire loop. The loop can come in a variety of colours but the standard would be metallic silver or black. This makes the brochure look almost like a notebook. These can be excellent for a reference guide or even an instruction manual. You can read more about wiro bound printing here.
Saddle stitch
The saddle stitch (stapled) is a very common binding option, it’s usually the one that’s used the most as it’s the cheapest and simplest. This is great for small brochures. You can read more about saddle stitch printing here.
Perfect bound
Some brochures are bigger, and those can go beyond just a few pages (could be similar to a booklet), so brochures like these the perfect bound are the best option. This involves binding the pages together with adhesive glue along with the spin, kind of like a traditional book. One of the main benefits of a perfect bound brochure is the spine. When printed the spine can be visible on a shelf allowing the user to easily find the brochure.
Other styles
There are plenty of other styles of binding such as string and sewn binding, and even case binding like for a hardcover book. You’ll need to check to see what the printing company of your choice offers because they may have creative binding solutions perfectly suited for your brochure.
Brochure Printing Cost FAQs
What is the cost to mail a brochure?
The price will depend on whether or not you’re wanting the printing company to mail it to your customers ( as many printing companies do have their own mailing centre) or if you’re wanting them to be shipped to you. If you’re wanting to have the brochures immediately mailed to your customers after printing then it can cost anywhere between 66p to 85p domestically, but it can cost more depending on the size and weight of the brochure too.
How much does brochure design cost?
The short answer is that the design cost depends. There are a lot of contributing facts that will go into the cost of a brochure design such as the desired folds or bindings and even the finishes (such as foil). Usually, more unique or creative designs tend to cost a bit more. You don’t need to have the printing company do your design if you already have an in-house graphic designer. But you can expect it to cost anywhere from £200 but it can even go as high as £1,200 or beyond that. Graphic designers may charge you a per page rate which can help you budget your costs.
How can I save money on a brochure costs?
When it comes to saving money on your brochure order, you have a few options such as buying in bulk from companies such as Avenue. This will help lower the brochure printing costs. There are other factors you’ll want to think about as well such as:
- The size you’re after ( eg: A5 brochures a very often half the cost of A4 brochures)
- Which type of press the brochure needs to be printed on. At Avene, our Smart quote system works out the the best press for maximum economy for every type of brochure. For example, printing a brochure on a large press could take half the time than on a smaller printing press
- How many colours are used for printing; 4 colour process (CMYK) is the most economic, but some companies may require special inks like a specially mixed orange or a metallic ink.
- The type of paper used
- Whether or not you want any special finishes
- If you’re wanting to have the product delivered or packed in a specific way.
For each of these factors, there are ways to save money, but it all begins by determining what you’re wanting and whether or not you’re willing to have a lower-quality product in order to save money (this doesn’t always need to be the case though as with the type of press used). Thanks for reading about the factors that affect brochure printing costs! Read more about booklet printing costs.