If you’ve ever tried to budget for leaflet printing in the UK, you already know the honest truth: the price never feels totally straight-forward. One printer gives you a low headline rate, another bundles delivery, another adds VAT at checkout, someone else claims “next-day” but only if you order before a 10am cut-off. And then the paper choices silk, gloss, uncoated, recycled. It becomes a bit of a maze.

So, here’s a cleaner, human, no-fluff breakdown of the real cost of printing 1000, 5000 and 10000 leaflets, what affects those prices, what you can realistically expect to pay, and how businesses accidentally overspend without even noticing.

Think of this as the kind of article you'd want to read before spending a penny on print.

First Things First, Why Costs Swing So Much

The UK print market is crowded. Hundreds of printers, both online and local, compete for the same customer. Because of this, leaflet printing pricing is influenced by a handful of predictable factors:

1. Paper weight (GSM)

• 130gsm = cheapest and usually perfectly fine for everyday promotions

• 150gsm / 170gsm = more “premium” feel

• 250gsm+ = several printers count this as a “card,” not a leaflet

Heavier paper almost always increases the price because it affects both production and shipping.

2. Paper finish

• Gloss (most common; cheap)

• Silk (smooth, professional)

• Uncoated (natural texture; more costly)

• Recycled (varies wildly in price)

3. Size

A6, A5, A4 and DL are the usual suspects. A5 is the king, cheapest, most versatile, and easy to distribute.

4. Colour vs black & white

It’s rare to use black-and-white leaflets these days, but when used, they’re significantly cheaper.

5. Quantity (economies of scale)

This is the big one.
The higher the quantity, the cheaper the cost per leaflet.
That’s exactly why businesses look at 1000, 5000 and 10000 as the sensible breakpoints.

So What Does It Actually Cost to Print 1000 Leaflets?

Typical UK price range for 1000 A5, 130gsm, double-sided colour

• £28 – £45 (online printers, economy options)

• £45 – £70 (faster turnaround / higher GSM)

• £70 – £120 (local print shops or premium stock)

For many small businesses, 1000 leaflets is the “test batch.”
If the design works, they scale it later. If it fails, no tragedy.

When 1000 leaflets is the best choice

• First-time campaigns

• Restaurant menus/test drops

• Tradesmen testing a new area

• Small events, salon promos, gym offers

1000 gives you wiggle room to experiment without committing to bulk.

What About 5000 Leaflets? The Sweet Spot

This is where pricing starts to fall sharply. Most print houses offer big discounts once you pass the 2,500 or 5,000 mark.

Typical UK price range for 5000 A5, 130gsm, double-sided colour

• £85 – £130 (online printers)

• £130 – £180 (premium stocks or next-day delivery)

• £180 – £250 (local print shops with same-day/urgent turnaround)

Per leaflet, you now pay as low as 1.7p.
For many marketers, 5000 is the “workhorse” quantity.

When 5000 leaflets makes sense

• Gyms targeting multiple neighbourhoods

• New restaurant openings

• Estate agents pushing listings or valuations

• Retail sales (seasonal, big clearances)

• Schools, tuition centres, community groups

• Political campaigns

There’s enough quantity to hit multiple postcodes without blowing the budget.

And the Big One… What Does It Cost to Print 10,000 Leaflets?

At this level, printing becomes dramatically cheaper per unit, but only if you choose the right supplier. Some printers barely discount beyond 5000, while others nearly halve the cost per leaflet.

Typical UK price range for 10,000 A5, 130gsm, double-sided colour

• £150 – £220 (online print factories)

• £220 – £300 (premium paper or express options)

• £300 – £450 (local print shops with personal service)

Per leaflet, you’re paying as little as 1.2p.

When 10,000 leaflets is worth it

• Multi-round promotions

• Large retail chains

• Regular estate agent canvassing

• Multi-location restaurants

• Trade show/summer season prep

• National campaigns

• Businesses with weekly or monthly offers

If you’re ordering repeatedly, it’s often smarter to print 10,000 at once and store a portion.

What Actually Increases the Final Price Without You Realising?

The “hidden influencers” are where businesses accidentally overspend.

1. Delivery speed

Next-day printing is convenient but always costs more.
Same-day? Even more.

If your campaign isn't time-sensitive, avoid rush printing.

2. VAT

Leaflets are usually zero-rated, but if your design qualifies as a promotional brochure or contains form-style elements, VAT may apply.

Most buyers don’t realise this.

3. Artwork changes

Little edits add up when designers charge £20–£40 per tweak.

4. Special finishes

• Laminated

• Spot UV

• Foil

• Heavy or textured stock

These instantly push the price into premium territory, even though most local campaigns don’t need them.

A Simple Real-World Price Table (UK Averages)

Based on A5, 130gsm double-sided full colour, UK average pricing.

Should You Go Cheap or Premium? A Quick Honest Guide

Go for Cheap If…

• Your leaflet is a one-off

• You’re doing mass drops

• You’re promoting simple offers (10% off, menu, cleaning service, etc.)

• You don’t mind thinner paper

Go for Premium If…

• Your brand relies on appearance (clinics, estate agents, boutiques)

• You’re mailing them individually

• You want a thicker, luxury feel

• You’re using photography-heavy designs

Premium leaflets do convert slightly better in certain industries, especially property and beauty.

How to Get the Best Price (Without Compromising Quality)

1. Print in larger batches

Buying 10,000 at once is nearly always cheaper than buying 2 × 5000.

2. Avoid express delivery unless you really need it

Express options can add 25%–60% to the total cost.

3. Use a printer that offers price-locked repeat orders

Some printers allow you to reorder at the same price for months. Useful for recurring flyers.

4. Keep designs simple

Complicated artwork means higher costs and slower production.

5. Always compare online vs local

Local shops can beat online factories if:

• you need advice

• you need same-day

• you want small run flexibility

Online is best for bulk.

One Thing Most People Forget, Distribution Costs

The leaflet printing is the cheap part.
The real cost often lies in distribution.

Typical UK distribution prices

• £35–£55 per 1000 (shared distribution)

• £65–£120 per 1000 (solus, your leaflet only)

So suddenly:

• Printing 1000 leaflets = maybe £40

• Distributing 1000 leaflets = maybe £90

It’s often worth adjusting your print quantity based on distribution budget, not the other way around.

So What Should You Do, 1000, 5000 or 10000?

Choose 1000 if:

You’re experimenting, rebranding, soft-launching or tight on budget.

Choose 5000 if:

You’re doing a proper local campaign with at least 2 areas.

Choose 10000 if:

Your promotions are ongoing, seasonal or business-critical.

A Quick Note on Printers

There are plenty of good printers around the UK, both online and physical, and your final price depends on stock, capacity and turnaround.

Some online printers offer low headline prices but add extras later. Some local printers offer lower delivery costs. And some hybrid printers, like I YOU PRINT, manage to bridge both worlds by giving UK-wide delivery while still offering the personal, “talk-to-a-real-human” experience.

Only one mention as requested.

Final Thoughts

The cost of Leaflets printing 1000, 5000 or 10000 leaflets is more predictable when you understand the factors behind the numbers. You don’t need premium stock for every campaign, and you don’t need next-day delivery unless the timing truly matters.

If you get the balance right, quantity, paper, finish, delivery speed, leaflet printing remains one of the most cost-effective marketing tools in the UK, even in 2025.