Two shops quoting "500 brochures" can give very different numbers. Price depends on quantity, size, paper, ink coverage, finish, and turnaround—not just the product name.
Quantity and run length
Print gets cheaper per unit as quantity goes up. Setup and makeready are fixed; spreading them over more sheets lowers the unit cost. Small runs cost more per piece.
Substrate and finish
Paper weight, coating, and color affect price. So do lamination, UV coating, and binding. A "brochure" on 80# matte is not the same price as one on 100# gloss with lamination.
Turnaround
Rush service often carries a premium. Standard turnaround lets us schedule efficiently; rush can mean overtime or pushing other work.
To compare quotes fairly
• Match specs exactly: same size, quantity, paper, and finish.
• Same turnaround (standard vs rush).
• Include any setup, proof, or shipping in the comparison.
Common mistake
Comparing a quote for "500 flyers" without specifying size, paper, or finish. One shop may assume 8.5x11 on 60# offset; another may quote 11x17 on 80# gloss. You are not comparing the same job.