Ever scroll through a website or digital magazine only to find a barrage of pop-ups, alerts, and other distractions? Not the reading experience you were hoping for, right? While easier accessibility has its advantages, we’re oversaturated with information in our digital age. So, it’s no surprise that printed magazines are as popular as ever. Not only are they powerhouses when it comes to delivering targeted content and ads for businesses and organizations, but they’re also a source of news and entertainment for all ages. So, how much are magazine printing costs nowadays? That depends on several factors. Our guide will cover each one so you can create a printed magazine that suits your budget.

5 Factors That Affect Magazine Printing Costs

1. Paper Type and Quality

Part of what makes the magazine-reading experience so enjoyable is flipping through its smooth pages. You can print a magazine on two main types of paper – coated or uncoated. 

From there, you’ll want to determine if a lighter or heavier paper (measured in pounds–lbs in the United States and grams per square meter (GSMs) internationally) is right for your project. Generally, the more pages in your magazine, the lighter the weight should be. That way, the reader can easily flip through the pages. 

The weight also impacts the overall price, including shipping. The thicker the stock (i.e., the higher the lbs or GSM), the more your magazine will cost.

Common paper or stock options, finishes, and weight/thickness for magazines include:

• Coated paper (matte, gloss, and semi-gloss) 
• Uncoated (natural finish)
• Offset or wood-free (uncoated)
• Biodegradable stock
• Satin paper
• 80 lb. or 100 lb. stock for the cover
• 100 lb. for the inner pages

The best paper for your magazine will depend on the content you want to include, the reading experience you want to deliver, and the budget you’re working with. Premium-choice stock, such as a silk-coated option, will look and feel high-end, but the price will be higher than a matte or semi-gloss alternative.

2. Page Count

Thumb through your favorite magazine, and chances are it has well over 100 pages of full-spread, all-color ads, and other content. The page count directly impacts the cost to print a magazine. 

Customized magazines can accommodate as few or as many pages as you need. For instance, a standard 8.5” x 11” monthly issue or special edition magazine can hold up to 200 pages. But the per-unit cost will be higher than for a magazine with only 50 pages.

Think about page count this way. The higher the page count equates to more ink, a stronger binding option (more about that next), a longer assembly time, and a higher shipping cost due to weight.

3. Binding Method: Saddle Stitch vs. Perfect Bound

Once you’ve settled on a page count for your magazine project, you’ll need to choose the best binding method to keep those pages together. Saddle stitch and perfect bound binding methods are the two most common binding types for any magazine project. But which one is better for your needs?

Saddle stitching means that durable staples will hold your magazine together. Ideal for magazines up to 92 pages, saddle stitching is durable and will give your readers a classic magazine-reading experience.  Of the two, saddle stitching is more economical and will keep your magazine printing costs lower. 

But what if your page count is well over 100? Perfect Bound printing can accommodate it (and most page counts, starting at 28 pages), plus give your magazine a seamless and more professional look. PUR glue adheres a soft cover to your pages, creating a square spine you can customize further.

While perfect binding is more expensive than saddle stitching due to materials and production costs, there are many reasons to opt for it over saddle stitch binding, including:

• When the page count exceeds 92 pages
• If your magazine requires greater durability.
• Assuming your goal is to produce the most professional-looking product.
• When budget constraints aren’t an issue

4. Quantity: The Benefits of Bulk Printing

Suppose you plan to order a large quantity of magazines, but you’re worried about the cost. Don’t be! Bulk printing will keep your per-unit magazine printing costs low. While ordering a huge number of magazines at a lower cost might seem counterintuitive, it just reflects economies of scale. If you’ve ever bought items in bulk from Costco or Sam’s Club, you already understand the benefits of this for your budget. 

Placing a large batch order of magazines means the magazine printing costs will be lower. Here’s a price breakdown of bulk orders in different quantities for a 6”x9”, 80-page, saddle-stitched magazine with full-color 80 lb. gloss inside pages and a 100 lb. gloss cover:

• Quantity 50: $11.71 per unit
• Quantity 100: $9.02 per unit
• Quantity 250: $7.32 per unit
• Quantity 500: $6.21 per unit
• Quantity 1000: $4.53 per unit

As you can see, the more you order, the lower the price per magazine. It’s always a good idea to consider the quantity you’ll need and balance that with your projected distribution needs. For example, if you only need 250 copies of your magazine this quarter but know you’ll need another 250 the following quarter, placing an order for 500 right off the bat is far more budget-friendly.

5. Customization and Finishing Options

We’ve covered the basic factors that can impact your magazine printing cost. But what about those extra special customization options you have your eye on? While die-cut covers, embossing, or foil stamping will wow your readers, they can also greatly impact the cost of your project.

When you’re ready to begin designing your custom magazine, we recommend visualizing what you want the final product to look like and how your budget can accommodate that. If a perfect bound magazine with a custom die-cut cover is the best option to reflect your brand or organization, then shelling out a bit more per unit will leave you satisfied in the long run.

Average Printing Cost per Magazine

The average printing cost for a custom magazine typically ranges from $.40 to $4.80 per unit. Of course, any combination of the above customization factors, such as different binding methods and page count, will change the per-unit cost. Let’s see how this works in practice.

A small print run (50 magazines) of a 5.5” x 8.5”, 120-page, 70 lb. matte, black and white magazine with perfect binding could cost under $12.00 per unit. Whereas a medium print run (250 magazines) of the same type might cost under $7.00 per unit. A large or bulk print run (2000 magazines) would cost under $3.00 per unit.

How to Estimate Your Magazine Printing Costs

Using a Cost Calculator: Get an Instant Estimate

If you want a clear cost breakdown of your magazine project, we recommend using a cost calculator to get an instant estimate. You’ll have fun inputting different bindings, stocks, page counts, and other customization features so you can see what it might cost to produce Magazine X or Magazine Y.

Requesting a Custom Quote: Tailored Pricing for Unique Projects

If you’re planning a one-of-a-kind magazine project or know you’ll need thousands of copies, it’s best to request a custom quote. We like to think of a custom quote as summoning a coven of magazine design wizards who can walk you through every design and customization option, leaving no page unturned!

How to Get the Best Price for Your Magazine Printing

You don’t have to be a magazine design wizard to plan a magazine printing project. Now that you know how factors like stock, page count, binding, quantity, and more can impact the cost of printing a magazine, you just need a world-class printing company in your corner.

Our magazine design experts at PrintingCenterUSA are ready to bring your magazine to life. You can use our easy-to-use design estimate calculator or request a custom quote anytime.

After careful planning and budgeting, our team will work with you to ensure you get the best results for your magazine project at the most competitive price!

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