It can be extremely frustrating to send out a quote and receive four totally different prices.  Why does this happen and how can you ensure you receive what you asked for and not be surprised by added expenses later?  First, you need the name or type of job – is it a folder, brochure, newsletter, booklet, flyer etc? Quantity – do you need 1,000, 5,000, 20,000?  If you don’t have a clear idea of quantity, research your market size, marketing objectives and distribution for the year.  It is sometimes more cost effective to do a higher volume than a lower one – a competent, professional printer will assist in these choices. Job size – if it’s a folder or insert, a printer needs to know the flat size.  Booklets, newsletters and magazines need to be sized in terms of the finished, stitched product and the number of pages.  Don’t forget to let the printer know if it has a separate cover, or self cover (plus cover means that a different stock than the inside pages will be required; self cover means the same stock will be used inside and out). Colours – how many colors will the job involve?  Is it a single colour, two, three, or four?  And how many colours on each side?  Is the job full colour one side and single colour on the other?  Does it bleed (colour to the edge of the page)?  Things can get a little confusing at this point.  Be aware that each colour requires its own plate and “make ready”, all of which adds to the cost of your print job. Stock – There is no shortage of stock alternatives in the printing industry.  And no,