Processing costs per unit by technique
Screen Printing: As the most basic and cost-effective method, the processing fee for small parts with simple, single-color designs is approximately **0.2–0.8 RMB/unit**; costs for multi-color registration increase by 30%–50% depending on the number of colors.
Pad Printing: Suitable for small, irregularly shaped surfaces; the unit price for small-batch, single-color processing is approximately **0.5–1.5 RMB/unit**, making it ideal for products like toys and small buttons.
UV Digital Printing: Requires no plate making; the unit price for small-batch customization is approximately **0.8–3.5 RMB/unit**, with costs rising further for complex gradient patterns.
Processes with Post-treatment: Adding a wear-resistant PU protective layer or multi-color gradient effects after printing increases processing fees by more than 50% compared to standard single-color printing.
Breakdown of consumables costs
Silicone Ink: Standard industrial-grade screen printing ink costs approximately 80–150 RMB/k while high-end medical-grade or food-grade certified inks can reach 300–500 RMB/kg; ink consumption costs are approximately 0.3–1 RMB per square meter of printing.
Auxiliary Materials:Screen printing mesh costs approximately 5–19 RMB/meter; the allocated cost for auxiliary materials-such as ink thinners and reducers-is approximately 0.1–0.3 RMB per square meter
Plate-making Costs: A single screen printing plate costs approximately 50–200 RMB, though this cost can be amortized across large orders; UV printing requires no plate making, allowing small-batch orders to avoid this fixed expense.