One-off and low-quantity jobs cost more per unit because setup and run time are spread over fewer pieces. Bulk orders absorb those fixed costs and lower the per-unit price.
What drives one-off cost
Every job has makeready: file prep, plate or screen, machine setup, and calibration. For a single poster or one sign, you pay for that once. The same setup for 500 pieces drops the cost per piece.
How bulk reduces price
As quantity increases, the fixed cost per unit falls. Running 1,000 instead of 100 often does not double the run time or labor. We pass that efficiency through in lower unit pricing.
When to order in bulk
• You know you will need the same item again (reorders, campaigns).
• Storage and shelf life are not an issue.
• The upfront cost fits your budget; you save over time.
Common mistake
Ordering a large quantity "to get the price down" when you do not need that many. Wasted inventory and obsolescence can erase the savings. Order what you will use.