Depending on the size and type of the press they run, printing costs for the same job can vary dramatically across printers. The type of press, the plates made, the ink used, the paper, and the quantities run, the binding, all affect price.

Put your larger projects, like full color brochures or catalogs, out to bid to compare prices. You may find it less worth your while to ask for bids for low-end jobs like business cards or stationery.

If you ask for bids from printers, however, make sure to ask how long the quote will hold - most printers will quote for 30 days, but sometimes they'll give a quote for less time because of fluctuations in the raw materials market. A couple of years ago, the paper market was unpredictable, for example; this year, it's power costs.