Good morning everyone,

Does anyone have rates for printing letters and labels for clients? I need to print almost 500 letters and a 1000 labels. I wanted to do the printing at my local printing store but it just got too complicated in regards to mail merging. I've realized that it would be much easier doing the print job myself and I would be supplying the paper, ink(b/c) and labels.


Thanks

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Creative & Strategic Web Design Services
www.aivirtualsolutions.com

Well, you could itemize how each portion costs (e.g. a ream of paper costs $5, ink costs $50, etc.) and then break it down by the number of copies you make and maybe tack a little extra on just for the wear and tear of your printer and tongue...lol Oh, and time. Can't forget that.

I think ink cartridges usually will tell you about how many copies it can handle. So you may at least be able to get a good idea of how much a project like that would really cost.

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Stephanie
New VA in the research phase

Thanks Stephanie! and for reminding me about my tongue...ugh!

A while back, I saw another VA's website...can't remember, that had rates for printing and I wondered if some VAs on the forum had the same. I've already done what you recommended, I'll just charge between my figure and the figure of my local printers'.

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Creative & Strategic Web Design Services
www.aivirtualsolutions.com

That sounds like a great plan. Glad I could help.

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Stephanie
New VA in the research phase

I would not only charge for preparing the document, mail merge, and material & postage, but I'd also charge for folding, stuffing and sealing (FSS). I charge $0.25 per piece of mail. You could also use your hourly rate for FSS. Either way works.

Good luck!

Oh yes, I certainly would charge for FSS as well!

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Brenda A. Jones
www.brevos.com

Hi all, newbie here. I love what I've seen of the forum already!

Just had a quick question for Cjherzog about the $0.25 per letter rate... that price doesn't include the supplies and postage, does it? Or does it?!
Thanks for the great place to hang out and learn!

Girl...you go straight to walmart and get the cheapest glue sticks you can, in the mega pack! Haven't you ever heard there is like one calorie in each envelope? Just think what that could do to your girlish figure! Just swipe that glue stick right across there like you would your tongue!

Make it a great day!

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Sundi D. Hayes
Chief Virtual Officer - My Office Zilla
www.myofficezilla.com

Yes, I use the glue stick myself. I just hate the taste of the envlope glue - ugh!!

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Brenda A. Jones
www.brevos.com

Originally Posted by Leena

Hi all, newbie here. I love what I've seen of the forum already! Just had a quick question for Cjherzog about the $0.25 per letter rate... that price doesn't include the supplies and postage, does it? Or does it?! Thanks for the great place to hang out and learn!

Leena:

No, the $0.25 does not include supplies and postage. I have this additional charge listed on my contract forms so there is no confusion with my client.

Great question!

Have a good one!

Originally Posted by White Rose

Yes, I use the glue stick myself. I just hate the taste of the envlope glue - ugh!!

After that Seinfeld episode when George's fiancee died licking envelopes, my tongue has never licked another envelope. I know it's just a show, but you never know.

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Bette Creek
http://bettecreek.blogspot.com/
www.ashbusinessservices.com

I'm also afraid of paper cuts of the lips. Another cheap alternative to licking envelope's is a piece of sponge dipped in water.

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Carolyn
Atlantic Virtual Assistant

Originally Posted by Bette C

After that Seinfeld episode when George's fiancee died licking envelopes, my tongue has never licked another envelope. I know it's just a show, but you never know.

When I started working in for a real estate/vacation rental company, they got me in the habit of using scotch tape on envelopes because of the urban legend about roaches laying eggs in the glue and them hatching in your mouth or something like that. I didn't believe it but I still couldn't get past that image...lol (I purchase the self-adhesive envelopes at work...lol)

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Stephanie
New VA in the research phase

Thanks for the answer!

Another substitute for your tongue... at Office Depot, you can get a small plastic bottle with a double-sided, slatned sponge as a cap. You just fill it up with water, put the sponge-cap back on and start slicking envelopes! Saves your tongue from paper cuts too and only costs $0.79 a bottle.

Edited:
ps - just saw AtlanticVA's comment... that's an even better idea.

Originally Posted by Sundi

Girl...you go straight to walmart and get the cheapest glue sticks you can, in the mega pack! Haven't you ever heard there is like one calorie in each envelope? Just think what that could do to your girlish figure! Just swipe that glue stick right across there like you would your tongue! Make it a great day!

Way too funny

:giggleb ox:

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Stephanie
New VA in the research phase