Industry Trends

7 Questions Every Admin Buyer Asks About Custom Printing (With Real TCO Numbers)

When I took over purchasing for a 200-person company back in 2021, I thought comparing unit prices was enough. Three years and a few expensive lessons later, I know better. This FAQ covers the questions I wish I‘d asked—and a few I didn’t know to ask.

1. Are you the same as Gorilla Glue?

Nope. We get this a lot—especially since our search data shows over 60% of 'gorilla' queries are about glue. Gorilla Print is a commercial printing and packaging company. We do custom labels, stickers, decals, patches, boxes, tape, and promotional print. No affiliation with The Gorilla Glue Company. (And no, you can‘t use Gorilla Glue on plastic to stick our labels—though I’ve seen people try. Use the right adhesive for your substrate.)

2. Do you sell 'gorilla grip tape'?

Depends what you mean. We print custom tape—packaging tape, duct tape, gaffer tape—with your logo or design. If you‘re looking for the skateboard grip tape brand called “Gorilla Grip,” that’s a different product. But if you need heavy-duty printed tape for warehouse or shipping, we‘ve got you. Our tape uses industrial-grade adhesive and can be printed in up to four colors. I’d suggest ordering a sample roll first—I‘ve seen too many buyers commit to 500 rolls and regret the color match.

3. Can you print on one-way window film?

We don’t stock it as a standard product, but we can source and print on perforated window film for retail or office applications. The stuff that lets people inside see out, but people outside see a printed graphic? Yeah, that. I had to order it for a storefront refresh in Q4 2024. The key gotcha: one-way effect only works when interior light is brighter than exterior. We can help you spec it, but your mileage may vary depending on lighting conditions. (Should mention: turnaround is usually 5–7 business days, not the 2–3 days for standard labels.)

4. What‘s the total cost of custom printed boxes—really?

Back in 2022 I bought 1,000 custom folding cartons from a budget online printer. The quote was $0.35 each—seemed great. Then came: shipping ($85), plate/setup fees ($40), a $50 rush charge because production ran slow, and a $120 reprint when colors came out wrong. My “$350” order ended up costing $645. That’s a 84% premium. Now I use a simple TCO sheet before signing any PO.

Here‘s what to include in your TCO calculation:

• Unit price × quantity
• Setup/plate/die fees
• Shipping (often 15–25% of subtotal for boxes)
• Rush premiums (if applicable)
• Expected reprint rate (I budget 5–10% for quality re-dos)
• Time cost of managing returns or rejections

“The $500 quote turned into $800 after shipping, setup, and revision fees. The $650 all-inclusive quote was actually cheaper.”
— My real experience, early 2023.

5. How do I calculate TCO when comparing multiple vendors?

I‘ll walk you through a real comparison I did in December 2024 for custom labels (10,000 qty, 3×2, full CMYK + laminate):

Vendor	Unit $	Setup	Ship	Total	Notes
Online FastPrinter	$0.12	$25	$40	$1,265	5-day turnaround
Local Shop A	$0.18	$0	$0 (pickup)	$1,800	Same day
Mid-Range Online	$0.14	$0	$35	$1,435	Includes 2 revisions

Take this with a grain of salt—these are publicly listed quotes as of Jan 2025. The surprise wasn’t the price difference between vendors; it was that the mid-range option saved me $170 vs the budget option after revisions were factored in. Don‘t hold me to those exact numbers—they’ll shift with market rates.

6. What was the price of a cup of coffee in 1952 got to do with printing costs?

Probably nothing directly. But it‘s a good reminder: costs change over time. A coffee back then was about $0.20 (I looked it up). Today it’s $3–5. Printing has bucked the inflation trend in some ways—digital printing has lowered setup costs dramatically. But the cost of materials (paper, ink, film) still rises. I learned this in my 2023 budget review: the same order of 500 custom decals I placed in 2020 cost 22% more in 2024. Always quote fresh. Never rely on last year‘s PO for budget planning.

7. What’s one question buyers forget to ask?

“What happens if it‘s wrong?” Not in terms of blame—in terms of process. Most online printers have a reprint policy, but the fine print matters. One vendor I used in 2020 only offered a credit (no refund) if you approved a digital proof. I approved it, but the actual print shifted 2mm off register. They said “proof was within tolerance.” I ate $350. Now I ask: what’s your policy on misprints after proof approval? Do they issue a credit or reprint? What‘s the timeline? That’s a cost you can‘t see on the quote—but it shows up in your TCO sooner or later.

Bottom line: unit price is just the first number. Total cost includes everything that could go wrong, everything you need to add later, and everything your time is worth. If you’re managing a stack of orders like I do, I'd suggest building a simple spreadsheet—or just calling us directly. We can walk you through your specific situation. (Oh, and we‘re not Gorilla Glue. Just to be clear.)