Print quote explained: what each line in our offer means
We explain how to read a print quote: unit price, quantity tiers, setup fee, deadline and VAT. With real examples and numbers.
A print quote usually consists of four key parts: product specification, unit price, one-off setup fee, and deadline. For example, the line "Screen printing, 1 colour, 1 position — 100 pcs × €1.90 + setup €35.00" means €225.00 excl. VAT, or €2.25 per piece all-inclusive. Below we explain each line so you can compare quotes based on substance, not just the total.
1. Product specification — the first line that defines everything
The specification line always includes size, material and weight (or printing technology). Examples from our quotes: "Business cards 90x55 mm, 300 gsm", "Catalogue A4, 8 pp., 170 gsm", "Poster A1, 200 gsm", "Stickers on matte self-adhesive vinyl".
If two quotes differ in price by 30–40%, this is the first line to check. An A4 catalogue on 170 gsm paper and the same catalogue on 130 gsm paper are two different products, just like matte and glossy vinyl. The number of pages (8 pp. means 8 pages, not 8 sheets) is also often the reason for price differences.
2. Quantity and unit of measurement
The unit in a quote can be piece, set or square metre:
- EUR/pc. — posters, catalogues, garment printing. Simply multiply by quantity.
- EUR/set — business cards. In our price list, €25.00 is for a set of 100 pieces, i.e. €0.25 per business card.
- EUR/m² — stickers and large-format printing. If you order 200 stickers at 5x5 cm, the total area calculation is 0.5 m², but in practice material offcuts are added, since the vinyl is cut from a roll.
That's why a sticker quote will always also state the area, not just the piece count. More on materials and formats — on the stickers page.
3. Unit price and quantity tiers
For almost all products, the price drops at certain quantity tiers. This isn't a negotiated discount — it's a price list that reflects the fact that setup time is spread over more pieces.
| Product | Base price | From 10–20 pcs/m² | From 50 pcs | From 100 pcs | From 250 pcs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stickers, matte vinyl (EUR/m²) | 24.00 | 22.00 (from 5 m²) | 19.00 (from 20 m²) | — | — |
| Poster A2, 200 gsm | 6.00 | 4.50 (from 10) | 3.20 | — | — |
| Poster A1, 200 gsm | 9.00 | 7.00 (from 10) | 5.50 | — | — |
| Catalogue A4, 8 pp., 170 gsm | 3.50 | — | 2.90 | 2.40 | 1.90 |
| Catalogue A5, 8 pp., 170 gsm | 2.20 | — | 1.80 | 1.50 | 1.20 |
| Screen printing, 1 colour, 1 pos. | 3.50 | — | 2.50 | 1.90 | 1.50 |
| DTF transfer up to A4 | 6.00 | 5.00 (from 20) | 4.20 | — | — |
| Embroidery up to 10,000 stitches | 5.50 | 4.50 (from 20) | 4.00 | — | — |
Prices are indicative, excl. VAT. If your quantity is close to the next tier — say, 88 T-shirts versus 100 — it's often cheaper to order 100, since the total comes out almost the same.
4. Setup fee — a one-off line
This line most often causes confusion. Setup is a one-off task that doesn't depend on the print run:
- Screen printing — €35.00: making the stencil for each colour and position. Two colour shades mean two stencil fees.
- Embroidery — €25.00: programming the design for embroidery (digitising). If you repeat the same logo six months later, this fee no longer applies.
- Catalogues — €15.00: artwork check, layout, print sheet preparation.
- DTF, stickers, posters, business cards — €0.00: no setup fee.
That's why for small quantities, DTF (€6.00/pc, no setup) is often cheaper than screen printing, but from 50–100 pieces screen printing becomes more cost-effective. For 20 T-shirts: DTF 20 × €5.00 = €100.00; screen printing 20 × €3.50 + €35.00 = €105.00. For 100 T-shirts: DTF approximately €420.00, screen printing €225.00. You'll find a comparison by technology on the garment printing page.
5. Additional work lines
Commonly encountered additional lines:
- Contour cutting — €8.00/m² for stickers. Needed if the sticker isn't a rectangle. Not added for straight-edged sizes.
- Number of print positions. A T-shirt with a logo on the chest and text on the back will be two lines in the quote, not one.
- Number of colours. In screen printing, each colour is a separate pass and a separate stencil fee; in DTF and digital printing, the number of colours doesn't affect the price.
- Sample before the full run. For digital printing, a sample can be made as a single piece; for screen printing and embroidery, a sample already requires setup.
6. Deadline, VAT and quote validity
The standard turnaround is 2–10 business days, counted from the day the final file and quote are approved, not from the first conversation. Business cards and posters usually take 2–5 business days, catalogues and garment printing 5–10 business days. Urgent jobs are possible by agreement.
All prices in a quote are excl. VAT — adding 21%, €225.00 becomes €272.25. We state file requirements in a separate line on the quote: vector graphics (.ai, .eps, .pdf), CMYK colour space, text converted to outlines, images at least 300 dpi at actual size. If there's no file, or it's a JPG from social media, we add an artwork preparation line — this isn't a hidden fee but real work. The full list of services and formats is on the catalogue page.
Frequently asked questions
Why does the quote show two different prices for the same product?
That's a quantity tier. For example, poster A2 is €6.00 per piece, from 10 pieces €4.50, from 50 pieces €3.20. We show several options so you can see at what volume the price changes.
Do I have to pay the setup fee every time?
No. Screen printing stencils and embroidery programs are saved, so for a repeat order with the same design, the setup line no longer appears in the quote. If the logo, size or number of colours changes, setup needs to be done again.
Are the quote prices including VAT?
No, all prices in the quote are excl. VAT. 21% is added on the invoice.
How long is a quote valid?
Standard validity is 14 days. If the quantity, material or number of print positions changes, we recalculate the quote — usually on the same day.
Can I order less than stated in the quote?
Yes. We also work with a single piece, but then the base price applies without the tier discount, and the one-off setup fee is spread over a smaller number of pieces.
What happens if the file doesn't meet the requirements?
We check every file before printing and let you know what needs fixing. If we need to make the corrections, we add a separate artwork line and agree on it with you before starting the work.
Send us your file or description at info@attaprint.lv, call or message us on WhatsApp at +371 25776699 — project manager Madara prepares a quote with all lines explained within one business day. Our office is located at Kandavas iela 29A, Riga, and you're welcome to view samples in person.
FAQ
Why does the quote show two different prices for the same product?
That's a quantity tier. For example, poster A2 is €6.00 per piece, from 10 pieces €4.50, from 50 pieces €3.20. We show several options so you can see at what volume the price changes.
Do I have to pay the setup fee every time?
No. Screen printing stencils and embroidery programs are saved, so for a repeat order with the same design, the setup line no longer appears. If the logo, size or number of colours changes, setup needs to be done again.
Are the quote prices including VAT?
No, all prices in the quote are excl. VAT. 21% is added on the invoice.
How long is a quote valid?
Standard validity is 14 days. If the quantity, material or number of print positions changes, we recalculate the quote — usually on the same day.
Can I order less than stated in the quote?
Yes. We also work with a single piece, but then the base price applies without the tier discount, and the one-off setup fee is spread over a smaller number of pieces.
What happens if the file doesn't meet the requirements?
We check every file before printing and let you know what needs fixing. If we need to make the corrections, we add a separate artwork line and agree on it with you before starting the work.
