Tobias Reed
Tobias Reed Production Knowledge Lead at 4OVER4.COM
Question

Why are smaller quantities more expensive per unit?

Answer

Small runs cost more each because the fixed costs of a print job do not shrink with the order. Setup, plate or die creation, and labor are spent once no matter how many pieces you print, so spreading them over fewer units raises the price of every piece.

Cost typeBehavior
Setup and laborFixed, charged once per job
Plates or diesFixed, created once regardless of run size
Materials and inkVariable, scale with the quantity printed

Because the fixed portion is divided across more pieces at higher volumes, the per-unit price falls as quantity climbs. If your budget allows, a modest bump in quantity often lowers the cost per piece noticeably.

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