The 4 Heavenly Kings of Print Pricing
Every print product needs four essential components to calculate accurate pricing. We call these the “4 Heavenly Kings” – the core foundation that makes pricing possible.
The 4 Core Components
- Material – The paper, fabric, or substrate used for printing (e.g., 300gsm art card, canvas, vinyl)
- Printing Size – The dimensions of the final product (e.g., A4, 89mm x 54mm, custom size)
- Printing Cost– The printing method and specifications (e.g., digital, offset, single-sided, full color)
- Quantity – How many pieces the customer wants to order
Why These 4 Are Essential?
Without any one of these components, you cannot generate a price. They form the minimum requirements for any print calculation.
Think of it this way:
- Material determines your base cost
- Size affects material usage
- Print Type impacts production cost
- Quantity influences economies of scale
Building Beyond the Basics
Once you have the 4 Heavenly Kings in place, you can add additional components to refine your pricing:
- Finishing options (lamination, die-cut, folding)
- Binding methods (saddle stitch, perfect binding)
- Delivery options
- Artwork services
- Custom add-ons
💡 But remember: You must always start with the 4 core components first.
Next: Learn about each core component in detail
