For bulk orders in Kerala, wedding invitation cards usually cost between ₹8 and ₹45 per card.
That range isn’t theoretical. It’s what print shops actually quote once you lock paper, printing style, and quantity. Go basic, stay near ₹8–₹15. Add premium stock or finishing, and you climb fast.
And no, volume alone won’t save you. This is a reality 360 Events often has to explain when couples expect massive discounts for larger guest lists.
Why the Price Gap Is So Wide
People expect a single “bulk rate.” That’s not how printers price jobs.
1) Paper decides the base cost
Plain, uncoated, or basic glossy stock is cheap. It runs fast on machines and dries quickly.
Textured, cotton-fiber, or handmade paper slows everything down. Ink absorption changes. Drying takes longer. Reprints happen more often.
That delay shows up in the bill.
2) Printing method changes setup time
Standard digital or offset printing is straightforward. Plates, alignment, done.
But once you ask for embossing, foil, UV highlights, or letterpress, setup time jumps. Machines need calibration. Test runs get discarded.
Look, nobody’s doing that for ₹10 a card.
3) Custom artwork isn’t a free design
Using a template with minor text edits keeps costs low.
Fully custom artwork — illustrations, bespoke motifs, Kerala cultural elements — involves designer time before printing even starts. That fee doesn’t disappear just because you’re ordering 1,000 cards.
This is where budgets quietly stretch.
4) Quantity discounts flatten earlier than people expect
Yes, higher quantities reduce per-card cost. But only up to a point.
- 500 cards: baseline pricing
- 1,000 cards: noticeable drop
- 2,000 cards: marginal improvement. After that, paper and finishing costs dominate. Doubling the quantity doesn’t halve the price. It just adds boxes.
What Bulk Orders Actually Cost (2025–26 Kerala)
These numbers come from real quotes across Kochi, Thrissur, and Kannur print shops.
| Card Type | Approx. Bulk Cost (Per Card) | What You’re Paying For |
| Basic digital print | ₹8–₹15 | Plain stock, simple color |
| Glossy / color offset | ₹15–₹25 | Cleaner finish, better consistency |
| Embossed / foil / UV | ₹25–₹40 | Extra setup, slower production |
| Handcrafted / premium | ₹40–₹55 | Manual work, boutique runs |
Assumes 500–2,000 cards. Outside that range, prices shift.
The Add-Ons That Quietly Push the Total Up
This is where most couples get surprised.
- Envelope printing or lining: +₹4–₹12 per envelope
- RSVP or insert cards: +₹6–₹15 per set
- Custom envelopes: +₹10–₹25 extra
- Delivery & packing: ₹200–₹800 depending on city
Printers mention these late because they’re optional. But invoices don’t feel optional when they arrive.
Real Buying Friction Nobody Warns You About
Here’s what actually causes problems.
Design revisions slow everything down. Each edit cycle risks extra charges and pushes delivery. Lock the artwork early, or expect delays.
Late orders cost more. During peak months (Nov–Jan), shops add rush fees or simply refuse discounts.
And then there’s humidity.
In coastal cities like Kochi, poor storage can warp cards or dull finishes before delivery. You only notice it when the box opens. By then, reprints are expensive.
This happens more often than people admit.
Practical Checks Before You Pay an Advance
- Get three quotes with identical specs. Otherwise, comparisons are useless.
- Always ask for a printed proof, not just a PDF.
- Confirm lead time — 5–10 days is normal. Faster costs more.
- Check envelope quality separately. It often doesn’t match the card.
Small steps. Fewer regrets.
>>Package inclusions should always be reviewed as part of overall wedding service planning in Kerala.
Bottom Line
Bulk wedding invitation cards in Kerala aren’t expensive by default. But the final cost depends less on quantity and more on paper, printing method, design work, and timing.
For most bulk orders, ₹8–₹45 per card is realistic. What pushes you higher isn’t the card itself — it’s last-minute decisions, add-ons, and rush pressure.
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