Custom Spiral Notebook Pricing Explained: What Really Affects the Cost
Custom Spiral Notebook Pricing Guide: Factors That Shape Your Final Cost
When planning promotional giveaways, conference packs, or branded stationery, spiral notebooks are one of the most practical choices. But the real question for most buyers is simple: what drives the price of a custom spiral notebook? This guide breaks down the key cost variables so you can request a quote with clarity and control your budget.
What Determines the Price of a Custom Spiral Notebook?
A spiral notebook is not a single “finished product” with one fixed price. It is assembled based on your requirements: size, page count, cover material, printing, finishing, and order quantity all change the total cost. The most accurate way to reduce quoting time is to define your specs clearly before you inquire.
1) Size and Page Count
In notebook manufacturing, bigger size and more pages mean more materials and more production time. That’s the core pricing logic.
Common notebook sizes
A5 – the most popular choice and often the best cost-performance
B5 – larger writing area, more professional look
A6 / Pocket – compact and usually lower cost
Page count impact
For many standard builds, the price difference between 80 pages and 120 pages is relatively small. Once you move to 200 pages or thicker paper, the unit price typically increases more noticeably.
2) Cover Material Choices
The cover is one of the biggest reasons custom notebooks vary in price. Below is a typical cost range from lower to higher.
Laminated coated paper cover – lightweight, budget-friendly, great for event notebooks
PP cover – durable, stain-resistant, stable cost for bulk programs
PU leather cover – common for business style; premium look without extreme cost
Genuine leather / specialty paper / textured materials – stronger texture, higher cost
Extra details such as metal corners, contrast edge painting, or fabric textures can raise the unit price further.
3) Inner Paper Type and Weight
For corporate notebooks, many buyers choose 70g or 80g beige writing paper because it’s comfortable and stable in cost. Upgrading to 100g or 120g paper can significantly increase the unit price, especially at higher page counts.
Popular inner page styles
Lined pages
Blank pages
Dot grid
Custom layouts for training, meeting notes, or conference schedules
4) Printing Options
Printing can be as simple as a plain cover or as complex as full-color inner pages with branded inserts. Your selection affects both setup and per-page costs.
Typical printing configurations
Inner pages unprinted (lined or blank only) – usually the lowest cost
Monochrome cover printing – simple and cost-effective
Full-color cover – higher visual impact, higher cost than single color
Full-color inner pages – cost increases based on page count and coverage
Promotional inserts – low cost per page, but total rises with quantity
5) Finishing and Add-Ons
Every extra finishing step adds cost—sometimes only a few cents, sometimes several dollars—depending on the method and materials. A balanced approach is often to select 1–2 premium details for a “refined but not overdone” look.
Common finishing options
Hot stamping / foil stamping
Embossing / debossing
Spot UV
Bookmark ribbon
Elastic band
Magnetic closure
Inner pocket
Custom belly band
Shrink wrapping & barcode labeling
6) Quantity and MOQ
In printing, quantity strongly affects unit cost because setup and labor are spread across the full order. Higher volume almost always means a lower unit price.
500+ pcs – unit price typically drops noticeably
1,000+ pcs – often the best cost-performance range
50–200 pcs – feasible for small runs, but unit price is higher due to setup allocation
Typical Price Range for Estimation
Example build: A5, 70–80g inner pages, PU cover
About 500 pcs: ¥8–18 per book
Small batch 100–300 pcs: ¥15–28 per book
1,000+ pcs: ¥7–15 per book
Note: Special leather, full-color inner printing, or multiple finishing options will increase the cost. Final pricing depends on your exact specification.
What to Prepare Before Requesting a Quote
To reduce back-and-forth communication and speed up quoting, share these details upfront:
Notebook size (A5 / B5 / A6)
Page count and inner layout (lined / blank / custom)
Cover material (PP / laminated paper / PU / other)
Printing requirements (cover only or inner pages too)
Finishing options (foil, emboss, elastic band, pocket, etc.)
Packaging needs (shrink wrap, barcode labels, gift box)
Quantity (critical for unit cost)
The clearer the information, the faster and more accurate the quotation.
Why Work With BOYI
BOYI is a paper products factory focused on reliable notebook manufacturing for corporate purchasing. We help buyers balance budget and quality by explaining what’s essential, what’s optional, and where costs can be optimized.
Sampling support for faster decision-making
Stable production and consistent quality control
Clear specifications and practical recommendations (no unnecessary upsells)
Suitable for both low MOQ and long-term bulk programs
Explore custom notebook options here:Custom Spiral Notebook
FAQ
Does page count or paper weight affect cost more?
Both matter. Page count increases material and assembly time, while heavier paper increases the material cost per page. When both rise together (e.g., 200+ pages with 100g+ paper), the unit price increases more sharply.
What is the most cost-effective configuration for corporate use?
A popular balance is A5 size with 70–80g inner pages, a PP or laminated paper cover, and simple cover printing. Add one premium finish (like foil or embossing) if you want stronger branding without excessive cost.
How can I get a faster quote?
Provide size, page count, cover material, printing needs, finishing options, packaging, and quantity in your first message. This reduces revisions and speeds up production planning.