Print a Small Batch First When the Message Might Change

Ordering more usually lowers the price per piece. But that does not always mean it costs less in the end.

If you are testing a new offer, changing prices, trying a new design, or launching a product, small batch printing can be the smarter place to start.

Print Enough to Use, Not Enough to Store

Say you need 250 postcards now, but 1,000 gives you a better unit price.

If the offer changes after you use the first 200, the remaining 800 are not much of a saving.

A smaller first run gives you room to use the piece, see what works, and make changes before printing more.

This can make sense for:

• postcards and promotional cards

• brochures and sell sheets

• product inserts

• business cards

• new product labels

If it works, the next run can stay consistent while the artwork changes. You simply supply the latest artwork. If colour, fit or a fold is important, check a proof before the first run.

The Better Quantity Is the One You Will Use

There are times when printing 1,000 is absolutely the right choice.

But when the message might change, 250 useful pieces can be a better buy than 1,000 pieces sitting on a shelf.

Before ordering, think about how many you will realistically use before something changes.

Not sure whether 250, 500 or 1,000 makes sense? See our simple guide to choosing a print quantity.