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Have you ever waited too long for a print quote? Or maybe you run a print shop, and quotes take forever to prepare. This is a common problem in the printing world.
Print estimating software fixes this problem. It helps print shops create quotes fast, without mistakes. It looks at paper cost, ink, machine time, and labor, then gives an accurate price in minutes.
In 2026, many good tools will exist for this job. In this blog, we will look at eight popular print estimating software tools. We will explain what each one does in simple words, so you can pick the right one for your business.
What Is Print Estimating Software?
Print estimating software is a tool that calculates the price of a print job. It looks at things like paper type, ink coverage, machine speed, labor hours, and finishing work.
Instead of doing this math by hand, the software does it for you. This saves time and reduces pricing mistakes. Many of these tools also connect with job tracking and invoicing, so once a quote is approved, it turns into a real job automatically.
Now, let us look at the top tools in this space.
1. iQuote by Print-ePS
iQuote is an estimating tool made by Print-ePS, a company known for many print management systems. It is built for complex and large print jobs.
Key Features
iQuote uses smart algorithms to test many possible production paths for a job. It can look at thousands of paths in seconds and pick the most cost-effective one. This helps print shops avoid underpricing a job.
The tool also lets you build cost breakdowns that cover materials, labor, and overhead. You can save templates for jobs you make often, which saves even more time.
iQuote connects with pricing data in real time, so your quotes stay accurate even when material costs change. It also links with your existing MIS or ERP system, so information does not need to be typed twice.
Good For
Mid-size to large commercial printers who deal with complex jobs and want detailed cost breakdowns before bidding.
2. Ordant
Ordant offers a cloud-based print estimating tool that is part of its larger print MIS platform. It is built to handle both simple and multi-item orders.
Key Features
Ordant can estimate jobs that use many machines, outsourced work, and manual labor together. You can compare costs between different printers for the same job, which helps you find the cheapest and fastest option.
The tool supports many pricing models. You can price per piece, use cost plus pricing, or set different markups for different products. Supervisors can also adjust pricing and payment terms before an invoice goes out.
Ordant makes it easy for repeat customers to reorder. They can see their past orders online and place a new order in just a few clicks.
Good For
Print and sign shops that want flexible pricing rules and an easy way to manage repeat customers.
3. PrintXpand
PrintXpand offers a print estimating software that is part of its larger Print MIS and ERP platform. It focuses on speed and automation.
Key Features
PrintXpand's estimating engine uses pricing matrices you set once. After that, quotes are generated in seconds based on product type, quantity, decoration method, and finishing choices.
You can set different pricing rules for different customers or product categories. The system always applies the most specific rule, so you avoid pricing mistakes.
Once a customer accepts a quote, it turns into a full production job automatically. All the details, like products, quantities, and delivery dates, move over without retyping anything.
The tool also creates professional PDF quotes that track when a customer opens or views them, so your sales team knows when to follow up.
Good For
Print shops and promotional product companies that want quoting, job tracking, and online stores all connected in one system.
4. PrintPLANR
PrintPLANR is a cloud based print MIS platform, and its estimating module is one of its most useful parts.
Key Features
PrintPLANR lets your team start a quote even before all job details are ready. This is called a draft quote. You can update it later without messing up your financial reports.
The pricing engine pulls live material costs and applies your markup rules automatically. It works for digital, offset, and wide format print jobs.
Every quote comes with an automatic bill of materials. This shows exactly how much of each material is needed, which helps avoid waste and keeps pricing fair.
Customers can also view and approve their quotes through a secure online portal, which speeds up communication.
Good For
Print businesses of many types, from small print shops to larger companies that need detailed cost breakdowns for every job.
5. Printlogic
Printlogic is a cloud based print MIS system that has been running since 2001. Its estimating tool offers several different ways to build a quote.
Key Features
Printlogic supports five ways to create an estimate. You can do a fast manual quote, send price requests to outside suppliers, use fixed price lists, pull in trade supplier pricing, or build a fully custom machine based estimate.
The machine based option lets you set your own press speeds, paper costs, and finishing rates, so the software calculates cost using your real numbers.
Every quote made in Printlogic can turn into a job in one click. This carries over to your production schedule, purchase orders, and invoice without extra typing.
If you are switching from another system, Printlogic can import your existing customer records and job history, so you do not start from zero.
Good For
Commercial printers and print brokers who want more than one way to build a quote, depending on the job type.
6. OnPrintShop
OnPrintShop is mostly known as a web to print platform, but it also includes a strong print estimating tool for both online and offline orders.
Key Features
The tool can price configurable products, meaning it adjusts pricing automatically based on size, material, quantity, and finishing choices selected by the customer.
You can set fixed or dynamic pricing for each product. This means simple products can have a set price, while more complex products get pricing that changes based on job details.
OnPrintShop also lets you send quotes for offline orders. If a customer calls in or emails a request, your team can build the estimate manually and send it out from the same system.
Quotes can also have expiry dates, which encourages customers to place their order sooner instead of waiting.
Good For
Print businesses that want to combine an online store with strong estimating tools for both web and offline customers.
7. Xero
Xero is not built only for the print industry. It is a general accounting tool, but it does offer basic estimating and quoting features that many small print shops use alongside other software.
Key Features
Xero lets you send professional online quotes and invoices from your desktop or phone. Once a quote is approved, you can turn it into an invoice easily.
The tool connects with your bank account, so your financial records stay updated automatically. It also supports many third party apps, which can add print specific features on top of the basic accounting tools.
Good For
Very small print shops that mainly need basic quoting tied to their accounting, rather than deep print specific estimating features.
8. DynamicsPrint
DynamicsPrint is an ERP system built inside Microsoft Dynamics 365, made specifically for the printing and packaging industry.
Key Features
The estimating module lets you test different production paths and materials before agreeing to a price. This helps protect your profit margin on every job.
You can copy an old estimate to create a new one quickly, which saves time on repeat style jobs. The system also supports unlimited quantity breaks, so you can quote different prices depending on how many units the customer wants.
Sensitive pricing information can be restricted so only certain team members can see markup details. This keeps your numbers safe while still allowing your team to work together.
DynamicsPrint connects directly with order handling, scheduling, and shop floor modules, so an approved quote flows smoothly into production.
Good For
Larger printing and packaging companies that already use or plan to use Microsoft Dynamics 365 for their business systems.
How to Pick the Right Print Estimating Software
With so many options, picking one can feel confusing. Here are a few simple questions to guide you.
Do you need deep, print specific features, or just basic quoting? If you need detailed cost breakdowns for materials and labor, choose a dedicated print tool. If you just need simple quotes tied to accounting, a general tool may be enough.
Do you want it connected to a full MIS or ERP? Many tools on this list are part of a bigger system that handles job tracking, invoicing, and inventory too. This saves you from retyping data.
How complex are your jobs? If you handle simple, repeat jobs, a basic tool works fine. If your jobs involve many machines, materials, and outsourced work, look for tools built for complex quoting.
Do you sell products online? If yes, look for a tool that gives real time pricing on your website, not just for manual quotes.
Final Thoughts
Print estimating software saves time, reduces mistakes, and helps your team quote jobs faster. In 2026, there are strong options for every kind of print business, from small shops to large enterprise printers.
Tools like iQuote, Ordant, PrintXpand, PrintPLANR, Printlogic, OnPrintShop, Xero, and DynamicsPrint each bring something different to the table. Some focus on deep cost breakdowns. Others focus on speed, online stores, or accounting.
Take time to compare a few options and try demos before deciding. The right print estimating software should make your daily work easier and help you win more jobs with confident pricing.
