WASTE, SPOILAGE, OVERS/UNDERS

WASTE: unusable sheets that don't count toward the total number of impressions required for the press run.

• Waste is anticipated and "excusable" because every job has to be brought up to color on a running press. Test sheets must be pulled, examined, discarded and/or filed.

• Waste also occurs in the bindery. Every job has a "waste allowance" that is factored into the cost of the paper purchased for the job. Obviously, the printer should not permit the waste to exceed the waste allowance.

SPOILAGE: paper discarded because of poor planning, production mistakes, faulty quality control. Spoilage is never "excusable."

• According to Printing Industries of America, sheetfed printers have an average spoilage rate of 3 percent based on sales. Cutting spoilage can improve printers' profits dramatically.

OVERS/UNDERS: Because of production variables, the total number of finished, deliverable printed pieces seldom matches the quantity ordered. It could be more, or it could be less.

• Therefore, an allowance for overs and unders should be built into the run length requirement for every job.

• Printing industry trade customs specify that over- and under-runs should not exceed 10 percent of the quantity ordered, and that printers may charge extra or give credit for amounts outside this range. (These terms are subject to negotiation.)

RETURN TO FAST ACCESS MENU
RETURN TO SESSION OUTLINE