Business cards, flyers and brochures are the printed items most businesses order again and again. Their prices look simple, but a small change in paper, finish or quantity can change the total a lot. Knowing how those choices work helps you compare quotes and avoid paying for extras you do not need.
This guide gives indicative prices for common marketing print in Kenya, explains paper weights and finishes in plain language and shows how to prepare files so your job prints right the first time. All figures are indicative ranges in Kenya shillings for planning.
The short answer
- One hundred standard business cards typically cost KES 800 to 2,500, and 1,000 cards KES 4,000 to 9,000. Premium finishes cost more.
- One thousand A5 flyers typically cost KES 4,500 to 12,000, and the price per flyer falls sharply on larger runs.
- After quantity, paper weight, lamination and finishes such as spot UV and foil drive the price.
- Print-ready files with proper bleed and CMYK colours avoid reprints, which are the costliest mistake.
Printing cost at a glance
| Item | Specification | Quantity | Indicative range (KES) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business cards, standard | 300 to 350 gsm, full colour, both sides | 100 | 800 to 2,500 |
| Business cards, standard | 300 to 350 gsm, full colour, both sides | 500 | 2,500 to 6,000 |
| Business cards, standard | 300 to 350 gsm, full colour, both sides | 1,000 | 4,000 to 9,000 |
| Business cards, premium | Thick stock with spot UV, foil or soft-touch finish | 100 | 2,500 to 6,000 |
| Business cards, premium | Thick stock with spot UV, foil or soft-touch finish | 500 | 6,000 to 16,000 |
| Business cards, premium | Thick stock with spot UV, foil or soft-touch finish | 1,000 | 9,000 to 25,000 |
| A5 flyers | 130 to 150 gsm, full colour, both sides | 500 | 3,000 to 8,000 |
| A5 flyers | 130 to 150 gsm, full colour, both sides | 1,000 | 4,500 to 12,000 |
| A5 flyers | 130 to 150 gsm, full colour, both sides | 5,000 | 15,000 to 40,000 |
| A4 flyers or leaflets | 130 to 150 gsm, full colour | 1,000 | 9,000 to 25,000 |
| Folded brochures | A4 tri-fold, 170 gsm | 500 | 15,000 to 45,000 |
| Folded brochures | A4 tri-fold, 170 gsm | 1,000 | 25,000 to 70,000 |
| Letterheads | 100 to 120 gsm, full colour | 500 | 6,000 to 15,000 |
Ranges are indicative, shown before VAT and exclude design and delivery. Prices vary between printers, and the price per piece falls as quantities rise.
Paper weight and type
Paper weight is measured in grams per square metre, written as gsm. A higher number means thicker, stiffer paper.
| Use | Typical weight | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Letterheads and forms | 80 to 120 gsm | Everyday office paper |
| Flyers | 130 to 150 gsm | Light but substantial |
| Brochures and booklet covers | 170 to 250 gsm | Heavier, with a more premium feel |
| Business cards | 300 to 400 gsm | Thick card holds up well in a wallet |
| Posters | 150 to 200 gsm | Depends on size and use |
Coated paper, in gloss or matt, gives bright colour and sharp images. Uncoated paper feels natural and is easier to write on.
Finishes and their effect on cost
| Finish | What it does | Effect on cost |
|---|---|---|
| Matt or gloss lamination | Protects the surface and adds a smooth feel | Adds a modest amount |
| Soft-touch lamination | Gives a velvet feel and a premium look | Higher |
| Spot UV | Adds a glossy raised highlight to parts of a design | Higher, often used on cards and covers |
| Foil stamping | Adds metallic accents in gold, silver and other colours | Higher, and needs a setup |
| Embossing | Creates a raised or pressed design | Higher |
| Die-cutting and rounded corners | Gives custom shapes and corners | Higher, often with a setup cost |
| Folding and creasing | Gives brochures and leaflets clean folds | Modest |
| Binding, such as stapled or perfect bound | Holds multi-page booklets together | Depends on pages and quantity |
Digital or offset printing?
Digital printing prints straight from your files. It has low setup cost and fast turnaround, so it suits short runs, typically up to about 500 to 1,000 pieces, and jobs with variable content such as different names. Offset printing uses plates, so it has a higher setup cost but a much lower price per piece on large runs, and it holds colour very consistently. It suits thousands of brochures, flyers or catalogues. Your printer can tell you where the switch point sits for your job.
What drives the price of printing
- Quantity. Setup costs are shared across the run, so unit prices fall as quantity rises.
- Size. Larger pieces use more paper and cost more to handle.
- Paper weight and type. Heavier and coated papers cost more.
- Colours and sides. Full colour on both sides costs more than black on one side.
- Finishes. Lamination, spot UV, foil and embossing each add cost.
- Folding and binding. Extra finishing steps add time and cost.
- Turnaround. Rush jobs cost more.
- Artwork readiness. Files that are not print-ready need extra design time.
- Delivery. Distance and volume affect delivery cost.
Design and file preparation
| Item | Indicative design cost (KES) |
|---|---|
| Business card | 1,000 to 5,000 |
| Flyer | 2,000 to 8,000 |
| Tri-fold brochure | 8,000 to 35,000 |
| Letterhead and stationery set | 8,000 to 30,000 |
Preparing print-ready files
- Supply a print-ready PDF at the final size.
- Use CMYK colour mode. Colours made for screens in RGB can look duller when printed.
- Set images at about 300 dpi at final size.
- Add 3 mm of bleed beyond the trim edge, so backgrounds run to the edge after cutting.
- Keep important text and logos at least 3 to 5 mm inside the trim edge.
- Outline or embed fonts.
- Use vector logos so they print sharply.
- Ask for a proof before a large run.
Ways to save without cutting quality
- Order the quantity you will use within a year or two, and compare unit prices at several quantities.
- Choose standard sizes, which waste less paper.
- Skip finishes that add cost without adding value for the job.
- Plan ahead to avoid rush fees.
- Group related jobs, such as cards, letterheads and envelopes, with one printer.
- Keep your approved artwork files, so reprints are quick and consistent.
- Ask for a sample before choosing premium paper or finishes.
How to compare print quotes
- Is the size, paper weight, number of sides and colour clearly stated?
- What finishes are included?
- Is design or artwork preparation included?
- Will I receive a proof before the full run?
- Is delivery included, and what is the turnaround?
- Does the price include VAT?
- What happens if there is a printing error?
- Can I see samples of the paper and the finish?
Red flags to watch for
- A price far below the others, often with thinner paper
- No stated paper weight
- No proof before a large run
- Vague answers about finishes
- No samples of past work
- An unclear reprint policy
How to plan your print budget
- List the items you need: cards, flyers, brochures, letterheads and others.
- Decide quantities for the next year, not just the next event.
- Choose paper and finishes to suit the use. A card handed out at meetings needs different treatment from a leaflet dropped at doors.
- Prepare print-ready files, or include design in the budget.
- Get itemised quotes from two or three printers on the same specification.
- Order samples before large premium runs.
How R3 Creative Media can help
We design and print business stationery and marketing materials that match your brand. Read more about our commercial printing and signage, office stationery and event branding and point-of-sale materials services. For more cost detail, see our print cost guide, signage cost guide and branding cost guide. We quote against your exact specification and show what is and is not included.
Frequently asked questions
How much do 100 business cards cost in Kenya?
A standard set of 100 full-colour cards typically costs KES 800 to 2,500. Premium cards with thick stock and finishes such as spot UV or foil typically cost KES 2,500 to 6,000 per 100.
How much does it cost to print 1,000 flyers?
One thousand A5 full-colour flyers typically cost KES 4,500 to 12,000, and one thousand A4 flyers KES 9,000 to 25,000, depending on paper and printing method.
What paper weight is best for business cards?
Most business cards use 300 to 400 gsm. Heavier card feels more premium but costs more.
What is bleed?
Bleed is extra artwork that extends about 3 mm beyond the trim edge, so colours and images run to the edge after the paper is cut.
Should I choose matt or gloss?
Gloss gives vivid colour and shine, but it shows fingerprints and is hard to write on. Matt looks calm and modern and is easier to read. Soft-touch lamination feels premium and costs more.
Is digital or offset printing cheaper?
Digital is cheaper for short runs and offset is cheaper per piece on large runs. Your printer can tell you the switch point for your job.
How long does printing take?
Business cards and flyers often take one to four working days, depending on method and finishes. Premium finishes, large runs and brochures can take longer, and rush jobs cost more.
Does design come with the printing price?
Usually not. Many printers quote printing only and charge separately for design, so check whether artwork is included.
Figures are indicative market ranges in Kenya shillings, last reviewed in October 2026. Prices vary between printers and with paper, finish and quantity. This guide is for planning only and is not a quotation. Ask for an itemised quote on your exact specification.