When your business needs printed materials, the first question is always: where do I start? With so many options in the market, making the right choice can feel overwhelming. This guide makes it simple.
1. Print Run Size Decides Everything
The golden rule of printing: large quantities favour offset; small quantities favour digital.
- 1–500 copies → Digital printing. Fast, no plates, consistent colour.
- 500–1,000 copies → Grey zone — depends on product and urgency.
- 1,000–5,000+ copies → Offset or UV offset. Cost per unit drops significantly.
Example: 100 business cards in digital costs around 1,500–2,000 ALL. 1,000 offset business cards with single-side UV costs ~8,000–10,000 ALL — that's 10× more copies for ~5× the price.
2. Paper and Card — Not the Same Thing
Paper thickness is measured in grammes per square metre (g/m²). The higher, the more premium the feel:
- 90–115 g/m² — Standard office / photocopy paper
- 135–170 g/m² — Flyers, indoor posters
- 250–300 g/m² — Economy business cards, brochures
- 350–400 g/m² — Premium business cards, brochure covers
Our recommendation for business cards: 400g paper + matte velvet lamination — the premium feel that sets you apart from the competition.
3. Lamination — Protection and Aesthetics
After printing, lamination extends life and enhances appearance:
- Gloss — Colours pop, great for photos and images
- Matte — Elegant, fingerprint-resistant, great for text and logos
- Velvet/Soft-touch — Soft feel like velvet, premium look
- Spot UV — Shine only on specific areas (logo, title)
4. Printing by Industry
Each sector has its own needs:
- Restaurants & hotels — Oil-resistant matte laminated menus, A4/A5
- Clinics & pharmacies — 115g informational brochures, A4 folders
- Shops & products — Vinyl or BOPP labels, moisture-resistant
- Companies & agencies — 400g business cards + 4-page 170g brochures
5. Delivery Timescales
Urgency affects price. At Albania DDS we offer:
- Standard: 3–5 working days (normal rate)
- Express: 24–48 hours (+20–30% on standard price)
- Urgent: Same day — only for simple digital products
Conclusion
The right choice depends on your quantity, urgency and budget. If you're unsure, contact us — we'll give you a concrete quote within 24 hours, no commitment. We print from Durrës and deliver anywhere in Albania.
