The cost of printing in Nairobi depends on several factors, including the type of printing, paper size, colour, number of copies, paper quality, finishing and whether you are placing a small or bulk order.
For a standard A4 black-and-white document, printing and photocopying prices in Nairobi commonly fall within the KSh 5–10 per page range, although individual printers may charge differently depending on quantity and specifications. Tradecraft Printers currently lists KSh 10 for an A4 black-and-white printed page, while its photocopying service indicates a general A4 black-and-white photocopying range of KSh 5–10.
For colour printing, large-format printing, brochures, business stationery, books and other specialised jobs, pricing varies significantly and is normally quoted according to the specific requirements.
Printing Prices in Nairobi at a Glance
Here is a general guide to common document-printing costs:
| Printing service | Indicative Nairobi price |
|---|---|
| A4 black & white printing | KSh 5–10 per page |
| A4 black & white photocopying | KSh 5–10 per page |
| A4 colour printing | Varies by printer and quantity |
| A3 black & white printing | Higher than A4 |
| A3 colour printing | Higher than A4 |
| Bulk printing | Usually quoted according to quantity |
| Book/document printing | Depends on pages, paper and finishing |
| Brochure printing | Depends on size, colour, paper and folding |
| Business cards | Depends on quantity, paper and finishing |
| Large-format printing | Quoted according to size and material |
| Printing with binding | Printing cost + binding cost |
These are indicative prices rather than a fixed Nairobi-wide tariff. For example, one current Nairobi online printer lists A4 black-and-white printing from KSh 2 and A4 colour from KSh 6, while another lists A4 black-and-white printing at approximately KSh 5–10 and full-colour A4 printing at approximately KSh 15–30 depending on quantity.
How Much Does A4 Printing Cost in Nairobi?
A4 is one of the most commonly used paper sizes for everyday document printing.
A4 printing is commonly used for:
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Assignments
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Reports
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Contracts
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Business documents
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Tender documents
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School examinations
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Revision materials
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Forms
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Applications
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Meeting documents
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Proposals
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Training manuals
A4 Black-and-White Printing
A4 black-and-white printing is generally among the most affordable printing options.
As a general Nairobi guide, expect approximately KSh 5–10 per page, depending on the printer, quantity and specifications. Tradecraft currently lists A4 black-and-white digital printing at KSh 10 per page.
For example:
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10 pages × KSh 10 = KSh 100
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50 pages × KSh 10 = KSh 500
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100 pages × KSh 10 = KSh 1,000
These calculations assume the stated KSh 10 rate and do not include additional services such as binding or delivery.
How Much Does Colour Printing Cost in Nairobi?
Colour printing is generally more expensive than black-and-white printing because it uses colour toner or ink and may require different production specifications.
The price can depend on:
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Number of colour pages
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Paper type
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Paper size
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Number of copies
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Colour coverage
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Printer technology
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Finishing
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Order volume
Current Nairobi price examples vary considerably. One online printer lists A4 colour printing at KSh 6 per page, while another publishes an estimated range of KSh 15–30 per A4 colour page depending on quantity.
This is why it is better to request a quotation for large colour-printing jobs rather than assuming that one per-page rate applies to every project.
How Much Does Photocopying Cost in Nairobi?
Photocopying can be cheaper than some types of digital printing, particularly for straightforward black-and-white documents.
Tradecraft currently states that A4 black-and-white photocopying generally ranges from KSh 5 to KSh 10 per page.
Photocopying is commonly used for:
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School examinations
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Class notes
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Legal documents
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Office documents
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Training materials
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Forms
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Reports
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Revision materials
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Bulk document reproduction
For large quantities, ask about bulk rates before placing the order.
How Much Does Bulk Printing Cost in Nairobi?
Bulk printing does not necessarily follow the same price as printing one or two pages.
When you order hundreds or thousands of copies, the printer can often calculate the job based on the total production requirements.
Bulk printing is commonly used for:
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Corporate reports
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Training manuals
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School materials
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Examination papers
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Brochures
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Flyers
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Company profiles
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Books
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Magazines
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Newsletters
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Tender documents
Tradecraft provides bulk corporate printing and states that its digital printing equipment is designed for high-volume printing.
For a bulk quotation, provide the number of pages, copies, paper specifications and whether the documents need finishing.
How Much Does A3 Printing Cost in Nairobi?
A3 paper is larger than A4 and is commonly used for:
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Posters
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Charts
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Presentations
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Architectural documents
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Diagrams
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Marketing materials
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Signs
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Training materials
A3 printing normally costs more than A4 because of the larger paper size and greater amount of printing material required.
The final price depends on whether the job is black and white or colour, the paper used and the number of copies.
How Much Does Printing and Binding Cost in Nairobi?
If you are printing a report, thesis, tender document, manual or book, you may need binding in addition to printing.
Your total cost will therefore be:
Printing + paper/finishing + binding + delivery, where applicable.
Binding options can include:
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Spiral binding
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Velo binding
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Tape binding
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Hardcover binding
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Perfect binding
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Saddle stitching
For example, current Nairobi pricing published by one printer lists spiral binding from around KSh 100–250 and perfect binding from KSh 350+, but binding prices vary according to document thickness and materials.
How Much Does Book Printing Cost in Nairobi?
Book printing is priced differently from ordinary document printing.
The quotation can depend on:
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Number of pages
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Number of copies
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Book size
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Colour or black and white
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Cover design
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Cover paper
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Interior paper
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Binding method
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Quantity
Printing 1,000 copies of a book, for example, is a very different production job from printing one 100-page document.
Tradecraft offers book printing and publishing services for materials including textbooks, course guides, revision materials, journals, magazines and other publications.
How Much Does Brochure Printing Cost in Nairobi?
Brochure printing is normally quoted based on the finished product rather than simply a per-page document rate.
Factors include:
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A4, A5 or other size
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Number of panels
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Colour printing
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Paper thickness
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Gloss or matte finish
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Folding style
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Number of copies
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Design requirements
For example, a tri-fold brochure and a multi-page booklet may have very different production costs even though both are considered brochures.
How Much Does Business Card Printing Cost in Nairobi?
Business cards are another type of printing where quantity and finishing have a major effect on price.
The cost can depend on:
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Number of cards
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Paper thickness
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Single- or double-sided printing
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Colour
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Matte or gloss finish
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Rounded corners
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Special finishes
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Design requirements
Ordering a larger quantity can change the per-card production cost.
What Determines the Cost of Printing in Nairobi?
When comparing printing quotations, look beyond the advertised price per page.
1. Number of copies
Printing 10 copies and printing 1,000 copies are different production jobs.
2. Number of pages
A 5-page document and a 100-page document require very different amounts of paper and production time.
3. Colour
Colour printing normally costs more than standard black-and-white printing.
4. Paper size
A3 printing generally costs more than A4, while smaller formats may cost less.
5. Paper quality
Standard office paper is generally cheaper than premium, textured, coated or specialty paper.
6. Single-sided vs double-sided
Double-sided printing can reduce paper consumption, but the production requirements may vary by job.
7. Finishing
Binding, folding, stapling, lamination, trimming and other finishing services add to the total cost.
8. Quantity
Large orders may qualify for different pricing from small print-on-demand jobs.
9. Turnaround time
Urgent or rush jobs may have different pricing from standard production.
10. Delivery
If the completed documents need to be delivered, delivery charges may be added to the quotation.
Is It Cheaper to Print in Bulk?
In many cases, the price per copy can be lower when printing larger quantities, but this depends on the type of printing and the printer's pricing structure.
For example, a business printing 1,000 brochures may receive a different quotation from someone ordering 20 brochures.
Bulk printing is particularly relevant for:
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Schools
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Corporates
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NGOs
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Churches
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Government contractors
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Training organisations
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Publishers
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Event organisers
Tradecraft handles bulk printing requirements for corporate clients and educational materials, including examination printing and textbook printing.
How to Get an Accurate Printing Quote in Nairobi
Instead of asking simply:
"How much is printing?"
Provide the printer with the actual specifications.
For example:
"I need 200 copies of a 20-page A4 document, black and white, double-sided, on 80gsm paper. I need the documents stapled and delivered within Nairobi."
This gives the printer enough information to calculate the job more accurately.
For a colour job, also specify whether every page needs to be printed in colour or only selected pages.
Printing Costs in Nairobi CBD
Tradecraft Printers is located at Mfangano Trade Centre, Ground Floor, Shop G3, Nairobi CBD.
The company provides digital printing, photocopying, binding, scanning and related document services. Its digital printing service covers black-and-white and colour printing, bulk corporate printing, exam printing, CBC textbook printing and other document requirements.
Tradecraft also states that it offers free delivery within Nairobi CBD and delivery around Nairobi and its environs at a cost.
Tradecraft Printers
Mfangano Trade Centre
Ground Floor, Shop G3
Nairobi CBD, Kenya
Phone: +254 713 445 339
Email: info@tradecraft.co.ke
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is printing per page in Nairobi?
For A4 black-and-white printing, a general current range is approximately KSh 5–10 per page, although individual printers and bulk orders may have different rates. Tradecraft currently lists KSh 10 for an A4 black-and-white printed page.
How much is colour printing in Nairobi?
Colour printing prices vary significantly. Current Nairobi examples range from approximately KSh 6 to KSh 30 per A4 page depending on the printer and quantity. A quotation should be requested for a specific job.
Is photocopying cheaper than printing?
It can be, particularly for straightforward black-and-white documents. Tradecraft currently gives a KSh 5–10 range for A4 black-and-white photocopying.
Does printing in bulk reduce the cost?
Bulk orders may attract different or lower per-unit pricing, depending on the printer, specifications and quantity. It is best to request a bulk quotation.
How much does it cost to print a 100-page document?
There is no single price because the answer depends on colour, paper, single- or double-sided printing and finishing. For example, at KSh 10 per A4 black-and-white page, 100 single-sided pages would cost KSh 1,000 before any binding, delivery or other charges. Tradecraft's current listed A4 black-and-white rate is KSh 10 per page.
How much does it cost to print and bind a document?
The total depends on the number of pages, printing type and binding method. Printing and binding should therefore be quoted as a complete job rather than using a single universal price.
Where can I get affordable printing in Nairobi?
Prices vary between printers and according to the specifications of each job. Customers should compare quotations using the same paper, colour, quantity and finishing requirements rather than comparing a single advertised per-page rate.
Get a Printing Quote in Nairobi
Need to know exactly how much your printing project will cost?
Send Tradecraft Printers the document or project specifications, including:
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Number of pages
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Number of copies
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Paper size
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Colour or black and white
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Paper type
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Finishing requirements
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Deadline
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Delivery location
Tradecraft can then provide a quotation based on the actual requirements of your job.
