“From £1” isn’t always £1: how to compare promotional product prices
27 October 2026 · 1 min read
If you’ve ever compared promotional product prices, you’ll have seen it: a pen “from £0.20”, a bag “from £1”. Then the quote arrives and the price looks very different. Here’s why that happens, and how to compare prices properly.
Why “from” prices often aren’t what you pay
A “from” price is usually the cheapest possible version of the product. Very often that means:
- No printing. The headline price is for a plain product, with your logo charged on top.
- The biggest quantity. The price you see might only apply if you order thousands.
- Extras added later. Setup charges, “origination fees”, screen charges and delivery are added to the quote separately.
None of that is necessarily dishonest, but it makes it very hard to know what you’ll actually pay, or to compare one supplier with another.
What we do instead
Our prices are all-in. The price we quote includes:
- the product
- printing your logo
- setup (the “origination” other suppliers charge separately)
- delivery to one address on the UK mainland
The only thing added is VAT. Our “from” prices are worked out the same way, so they include print, setup and delivery too. They’re based on the largest quantity and simplest print option, and your quote shows the exact price for what you’ve chosen.
How to compare quotes fairly
When you’re comparing suppliers, ask each one for a price that includes:
- Printing in the number of colours and positions you need
- All setup or origination charges
- Delivery to your address
- The exact quantity you want
Then compare the total, not the price per item on the website.
Get an all-in quote
Add products to your quote basket and send it to us, and we’ll email you an all-in price with no surprises. It’s free, and there’s no obligation.