How much does it cost to print a magazine in the UK?

The cost to print a magazine in the UK varies depending on the specification you require for the job. The same 32-page magazine can vary widely in price depending on how many copies you require, the paper you choose and the binding. Once those, and the other options we will discuss are finalised, a quote can be produced.

In this article we will explain what affects the price of magazine printing, where the real savings are, and what to send us so we can give you an accurate figure. If you already have your specification, you can request a magazine printing quote and we will come back to you quickly with a price.

What affects the cost of printing a magazine

Six things change the price more than anything else:

• Quantity. How many copies you order. This is the single biggest lever.
• Extent. The total page count.
• Format. The finished size, for example A4 or A5.
• Paper. The weight and type of stock you choose, inside and out.
• Binding. Saddle stitching, perfect bound or wiro binding.
• Finishing and delivery. Lamination or other finishes, plus where the magazines need to go.

Change any one of these and the quote varies. The sections below cover the ones worth understanding before you order.

Print run: digital printing or litho

The number you print decides which press makes most sense, and that also directly relates to the unit cost.

For short runs, from a single copy up to one thousand, digital printing is usually the more economical choice. We use an HP Indigo 7900 for this, which gives superior lithographic-quality results without the setup a litho run needs. It is also the practical option for a single magazine or a very small batch, which answers a question we are often asked: yes, we can print one magazine, though the cost per copy is highest at that quantity.

For longer runs, lithographic printing becomes more economical. We run Heidelberg presses for litho work, and once the quantity is high enough the setup is spread across far more copies, so the unit cost drops. 

As a rough guide, the more you order, the less each copy costs, and there is usually a crossover point where litho overtakes digital on price. Our guide to how magazines are printed explains both processes in more detail. As experienced magazine printers, we will advise which route is more cost-effective for your quantity.

Page count, format and paper

Extent is simple: a magazine with more pages uses more paper and more printing, so a 64-page issue costs more than a 24-page one at the same quantity. Magazines are made up in multiples of four pages, so considering this when designing avoids paying for wasted material.

Format matters too. Standard sizes such as A4 and A5 are the most cost-effective because they use the press sheet efficiently. A custom or non-standard size can mean more waste and a higher price.

Paper is where quality and cost meet. You are choosing a paper weight and paper type for two parts of the magazine: a heavier stock for the cover and a lighter one inside. Heavier or specialist stocks cost more, but they change how the finished magazine feels in the hand. 

Our carbon-balanced printing has been standard since 2014 at no additional cost, so the sustainable choice is the default here, not a paid upgrade. We are FSC® certified, so we supply responsibly sourced stock for every run.

Binding: saddle stitch, perfect bound or wiro binding

The binding affects both the look of your bound magazines and the cost:

• Saddle stitched. Folded sheets stapled through the spine. The most economical option, ideal for magazines up to around 64 pages.
• Perfect bound. Sheets glued into a square spine, like a paperback. A premium finish that suits higher page counts and gives a printable edge. Costs more than saddle stitching.
• Wiro bound. A wire binding that lets the magazine lie flat. Useful for specific jobs, less common for magazines and more usual for booklets and manuals.

If you are not sure which suits your magazine, tell us the page count and how you want it to feel, and we will advise.

Proofing, finishing and delivery

Cover finishes such as matt or gloss lamination add a small cost and protect the magazine. Other options, like a spot UV detail, sit at the premium end. Delivery depends on the quantity, the weight and where the magazines are going. If you need them quickly, say so when you enquire, and we will tell you honestly what is achievable.

Ashley House are an independent, family-run printing company in Exeter with in-house bindery, design, pre-press, proofing and fulfilment, so the whole job, from magazines and booklets to brochures and other print, is handled under one roof. That keeps quality consistent and avoids the delays that come with sending work out. 

We print regularly for many of our customers, from weekly and monthly titles through to quarterly and annual magazines. Printing a title issue after issue means we hold your specification, keep colour and stock consistent from one issue to the next, and plan production around your publishing schedule. 

Many of these relationships have run for years, and that continuity matters as much to us as it does to the customers we print for.

How to keep magazine printing costs down

If budget is tight, there are sensible ways to bring the cost down without dropping to throwaway quality:

• Choose a larger run if you can use them. The unit cost falls as the quantity rises, so a slightly larger order often costs little more in total and much less per copy.
• Stick to a standard format and a standard  page count. A4 or A5, in multiples of four, prints efficiently.
• Choose standard stocks. Specialist papers and heavy finishes are where cost climbs.
• Supply print-ready files. Clean and correctly set-up artwork saves pre-press time. If you need help, our studio can prepare files, but supplying them ready keeps the cost down.
• Plan ahead. A standard turnaround is cheaper than a rush.

We are not the cheapest printer in the country, and we do not try to be. Our printing services include consultative advice, an in-house bindery, genuine print quality and sustainability are built in. For most of our customers, a magazine that represents the quality of their brand well is worth investing in.

Getting an accurate quote

Every magazine we print is custom to your specification.

To quote accurately, we would need:

• The quantity and the page count.
• The finished size.
• Your paper preference, or a brief on the feel you want, and we will recommend stocks.
• The binding, or the page count and a steer on budget so we can suggest one.
• Your artwork, ideally as a print-ready PDF, or a note that you would like help with cover design and file setup.

Send us what you have and we will work with you to get you a clear quote. Request a magazine printing quote online or call us and one of our experienced team will be happy to help guide you.

Example Magazine Costs

These are a guide . Your exact price depends on quantity, page count, paper and binding. Request a magazine printing quote with your specification and we will send you an estimate .