"Just print me a bill book lah." If only it were that simple.
We've been printing bill books for restaurants, workshops, sundry shops and SMEs across Kedah for two decades, and every first-time customer has the same surprise: there are at least nine decisions to make before we can quote a price. None of them are hard — but if you walk into a print shop unprepared, you'll either get a slow quote or end up paying for features you don't need.
Here's the checklist. Use it at our shop, at any other printer in Sungai Petani, or even when you call your existing printer for a reprint.
The 9 questions, in order
1. What size? (A4, A5, or 1/3 A4?)
A5 (148 × 210mm) is the most popular — fits in a cash drawer, fits in a shirt pocket, big enough for 6–10 line items. A4 is for businesses with many line items per invoice. 1/3 A4 (long narrow) is what most kopitiams and mamak shops use for order chits.
2. How many plies? (2-ply or 3-ply?)
"Plies" = how many copies per set. 2-ply means original + 1 copy (you keep the copy, customer gets the original). 3-ply adds a second copy (for accounts/filing). 95% of SMEs use 2-ply. Add a third only if you actually have a system that uses it — otherwise you're just paying for paper you'll throw away.
3. NCR or carbon paper?
NCR (No Carbon Required) is standard today — chemical-coated paper transfers your writing to the copies underneath. No black carbon sheets, no inky hands. Carbon still exists but only a few legacy users still order it. Default to NCR unless you have a specific reason not to.
4. How many sets per book?
Standard is 50 sets per book (so 100 sheets for 2-ply, 150 for 3-ply). Some businesses prefer 100 sets per book for less binding-changeovers. Bigger books = cheaper per set, but heavier to carry around.
5. How many books?
Minimum order is usually 5 books. Real price breaks kick in at 10, 20 and 50 books. If you go through ~1 book per month, order 12 books and save 15–25%.
6. Black-only print, or full colour?
Black is the standard and looks fine. Full colour (your logo in colour) costs ~30–40% more — worth it only if your branding is colour-critical. Most SMEs choose black, with the logo in black-and-white at the top.
7. Sequential numbering — start from what number?
Sequential numbering is included in the price. You tell us where to start: 0001 for first-ever order, or pick up where your last book ended (e.g. 3501). Numbering is printed in red on all plies of each set so the original and copies match.
8. Binding: stapled or perfect-bound?
Stapled (top-stapled) is standard — fastest, cheapest, easy to tear out perforated sets. Perfect-bound (like a paperback book) looks more premium but costs more and is harder to tear pages from. 99% of bill books use stapled binding with perforation.
9. Perforation — on which side?
If you want to tear out the top sheet (the customer's copy), the perforation needs to be on the binding edge. Tell the printer where you bind — top, side, or 1/3 from top — so the perforation matches.
What a typical Kedah SME order looks like
Here's the most common order at our shop in Sungai Petani — what 70% of new SMEs ask for:
| Size | A5 (148 × 210mm) |
| Plies | 2-ply NCR (white + pink) |
| Sets per book | 50 sets |
| Quantity | 10 books |
| Print colour | Black only |
| Numbering | Sequential, starting 0001, red |
| Binding | Top-stapled with perforation |
| Typical price | RM 140–180 for 10 books (varies by artwork complexity) |
| Turnaround | 3–5 working days from artwork approval |
What we need from you (artwork)
If it's a first-time order, send us:
- Company logo — PNG, JPG or AI/PDF. If you don't have a clean version, we can re-trace it for RM 20–40.
- Company name, address, phone, email — exactly as you want it printed
- SSM registration number (required on official invoices)
- SST registration number (if registered)
- What columns you want — typical: Date, Description, Qty, Unit Price, Total, Remarks
WhatsApp this to 010-451 8088 and we'll mock up a digital proof within a few hours. Once you approve, printing takes 3–5 working days.
Pro tip: If you have an existing bill book design from another printer, just send us a clear photo of the front cover and a blank inside page. We can match it exactly — no need to redesign.
Common mistakes (don't make these)
- Ordering 3-ply when 2-ply would do. Costs 30% more, and most SMEs never use the second copy.
- Going colour for the sake of it. Colour bills look nicer but don't help your business. Spend the budget on more books instead.
- Starting numbering at 0001 for your fifth bill book reorder. Continue the sequence from where you left off — auditors and SST officers actually check this.
- Forgetting to add SST number if you're registered. Reprinting because of one missing line is painful.
- Ordering too few. 5 books seems like a lot, but if you use one a month, that's 5 months. Order 12–24 books and save 20%.
What to expect when working with us
If you're ordering from Seri Jadi specifically:
- Quote within 1 hour after WhatsApp — sometimes faster
- Digital proof within a few hours — we send a PDF for your sign-off
- 3–5 working days production after proof approval
- Pick-up or delivery — pick-up free, delivery anywhere in Kedah for a small fee
- E-invoice ready — we issue your invoice via the LHDN MyInvois system
- Re-orders are fast — once we have your artwork on file, reprints take just 2–3 days
Ready to order?
WhatsApp your bill book details to 010-451 8088 and we'll quote in under an hour.
WhatsApp 010-451 8088Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between NCR and carbon bill books?
NCR (No Carbon Required) paper has a chemical coating that transfers writing to copies underneath — no carbon sheets needed. Carbon bill books require a black carbon sheet between each ply. NCR is the standard today; carbon is rarely used in Malaysia.
How much does a bill book cost to print in Sungai Petani?
A5 NCR 2-ply, 50-set: around RM 14–18 per book at 10+ quantities. A4 is RM 22–28. 3-ply is roughly 30% more than 2-ply. Quantity discounts kick in at 20 and again at 50 books.
How long does bill book printing take?
Standard is 3–5 working days. Rush jobs (1–2 days) cost an extra 20–30%. Reprints (when we have your artwork on file) are faster than first orders.
Can I print my bill book with sequential numbering?
Yes — sequential numbering is included in the price. You tell us the starting number. Numbering is printed in red and appears on all plies of each set.
What size is standard for Malaysian SMEs?
A5 (148 × 210mm) — fits in cash drawers and pockets, big enough for 6–10 line items. A4 for businesses with many items; 1/3 A4 long narrow for restaurant chits.
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