Just how much detail should you go into when writing a print spec? As much as possible is the answer. Leaving any ‘grey areas’ will make it much harder for you to compare prices from different suppliers. If you have any visuals or any other reference materials, share them.

If you’re new to writing a spec, invite a trusted supplier, like me for example, in to sit down and talk the project through with you. If the format hasn’t been set in stone, there may be economies that can be made through choice of size, orientation, extent (number of pages) colours used and material weights (these are important when the item is going to be distributed).

The print spec should include the following:

Quantity. And run-on – the ‘run-on’ or ‘r/o’ means additional copies produced at the same time without set up/make-ready charges. If the quantity required increases, you can add this to the base price.

Size. Is it portrait or landscape? This can make a big difference to printing, grain direction and binding.

Extent. How many pages are there – cover and text? Often abbreviated as ‘pp’ or printed pages.

Materials. Specify the type of paper to be used for cover and text. The weight (gsm, or grams per square metre) or thickness (microns) chosen.

Printing. How many colours? Is it 4 colour process? Are special colours needed? Are these common to all pages? Are overall (or spot) coatings required for protection or to enhance certain areas?

Reproduction. What will you supply the printer as artwork? High resolution PDFs?

Proofing. Physical high resolution digital proofs? Are scatter proofs required? Sometimes these are produced on the production press (expensive but worth it sometimes).

Finishing. Is the item creased, folded, foil-blocked? How will it be bound? Are there any other special finishes or processes required?

Packing. Are the finished items to be supplied in manageable corrugated boxes, or bulk packed on pallets (BPOP)? Are there any other requirements, like pack in 100’s, for example?

Delivery. Is the whole job being delivered to one address? What town and country?

Fulfilment/distribution/mailing. Sometimes requires its own dedicated spec.

File copies. How many and delivered where?

Extras/alternatives. Be sparing here – decide what’s necessary, and what’s a nice to have. Asking for too many options suggests that you don’t really know what you want, and can cause confusion.

 

That’s it. You’re all set.

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&How to write a print specification

Just how much detail should you go into when writing a print spec? As much as possible is the answer. Leaving any ‘grey areas’ will make it much harder for you to compare prices from different suppliers. If you have any visuals or any other reference materials, share them.

If you’re new to writing a spec, invite a trusted supplier, like me for example, in to sit down and talk the project through with you. If the format hasn’t been set in stone, there may be economies that can be made through choice of size, orientation, extent (number of pages) colours used and material weights (these are important when the item is going to be distributed).

The print spec should include the following:

Quantity. And run-on – the ‘run-on’ or ‘r/o’ means additional copies produced at the same time without set up/make-ready charges. If the quantity required increases, you can add this to the base price.

Size. Is it portrait or landscape? This can make a big difference to printing, grain direction and binding.

Extent. How many pages are there – cover and text? Often abbreviated as ‘pp’ or printed pages.

Materials. Specify the type of paper to be used for cover and text. The weight (gsm, or grams per square metre) or thickness (microns) chosen.

Printing. How many colours? Is it 4 colour process? Are special colours needed? Are these common to all pages? Are overall (or spot) coatings required for protection or to enhance certain areas?

Reproduction. What will you supply the printer as artwork? High resolution PDFs?

Proofing. Physical high resolution digital proofs? Are scatter proofs required? Sometimes these are produced on the production press (expensive but worth it sometimes).

Finishing. Is the item creased, folded, foil-blocked? How will it be bound? Are there any other special finishes or processes required?

Packing. Are the finished items to be supplied in manageable corrugated boxes, or bulk packed on pallets (BPOP)? Are there any other requirements, like pack in 100’s, for example?

Delivery. Is the whole job being delivered to one address? What town and country?

Fulfilment/distribution/mailing. Sometimes requires its own dedicated spec.

File copies. How many and delivered where?

Extras/alternatives. Be sparing here – decide what’s necessary, and what’s a nice to have. Asking for too many options suggests that you don’t really know what you want, and can cause confusion.

 

That’s it. You’re all set.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *