Services

The events that support the printing process outside of the printer itself are referred to as Services - Die Cutting, Foiling, Folding, Handwork, Laminating, Perforating, and so on.

Content in the Services section is accessed in the Quotation and Estimating process. This is also referenced in the Production module. Instructions can be added to each Service for the Production team to ensure a predictable, sustainable standard of production.

Discover Services

Note

Please ensure the following has been setup first:

Services Data Grid

Navigation

Main menu > Setup > Services > View

  1. Menu - The Menu button provides the following additional functionality:
    • Copy Category - This allows you to Copy a Services Category. You must first select a Category form the Data Filter before selecting this function.
    • Edit Categories - This allows you to Edit Service Categories. Once you've selected this function the Lists & Categories Setup will open.
  2. Data Filter - This allows you to filter the data displayed in the data grid by Category, Supplier, Cost Centre or Description.
  3. Cost Centre / Supplier Indicator - If a Service is done in-house with an allocated Cost Centre, it will be marked green; and when it is outsourced to a Supplier it will be marked red.

Services Setup

Navigation

Main menu > Setup > Services > New/Edit

  1. Description - This is the name of the Service. Enter a description for the Service that is unique and succinct. It will be used throughout the app.
  2. Quote Description - This is the name of the Service that is customer-facing and will appear on the Quotation / Estimate.
  3. Copy - Clicking Copy will copy the Description to the Quote description.
  4. Service Provider - This allows you to specify if the Service is linked to a Cost Centre or a Supplier. If linked to a Cost Centre, the R/Hr (rate per hour) will automatically populate.
  5. Production Time - This can only be populated if the Service is linked to a Cost Centre.
    • Setup (Hr) - This is where the time it takes to setup this Service is entered.
    • Speed / Hr - This is where the duration or speed of the Service per hour is entered.
  6. Category - This sets the Service Category for the Estimate lookups. More on Service Categories here.
  7. This Service Quantity is set by - This sets how the Service Quantity will be calculated.
      • Fixed Qty - This allows you to input a quantity for the Service during the Estimate process.
      • Plate Area (cm²) - This enables a calculation based on the plate area.
      • Plate Qty - This enables a calculation based on the plate quantity.
      • Signature Qty - This enables a calculation based on the quantity of signatures.
      • Worksheet Qty - This enables a calculation based on the worksheet quantity.
  8. Select / Change the Adjustment option - This sets whether or not the Service is affected by overall Adjustment.
  9. Add this Service to the Quote Description check box - This determines whether or not the Service will be displayed on the Quote description.
  10. Update this Service when a Quote is updated from Setups - This determines whether or not the Service is updated when a Quote is updated from Setup. Eg, When a quote is copied for a customer, but a price change has since occurred; this setting allows the quote to have updated prices pulled while maintaining the copied quote's specifications.
  11. VAT Type - This is where you can select the VAT Type and if it is excluded or included.
  12. Exc. VAT - This is the charged cost of Setup and Unit / value, excluding VAT.
  13. Incl. VAT - This is the charged cost of Setup and Unit / value, including VAT.
  14. Cost - Here you enter the cost price of Setup and Unit / value. This data helps you better measuring profitability.
  15. Min Cost - A Minimum Cost can be added to the Service which is individually applied to each quantity on the Estimate. The minimum cost is applicable to the Printing Service only. ie. excluding the Paper and Ink cost. How to set Minimum Cost:
      • Enter the Min Cost in the Press tab of the Printing Edit Form in an Estimate.
      • Alternatively, set it up in the Presses > Running Options form.
  16. Adjust % - This field allows you to enter a markup % on this service.
  17. Additional Overs - This allows you to add additional quantities of this Service for Make Ready purposes, and set a percentage for Run Overs.
  18. Linked Material - This is where any Material required for this Service can be linked to the Service.
  19. Unit - This allows you to select the unit type for this material, such as ea (each).
  20. Setup Qty - This allows you to specify the quantity of this material required for setup.
  21. Unit Qty - This allows you to specify the quantity of units of this linked Material Item required for this service.
  22. Instruction - This is where any instructions relating to the Service can be added. This will appear on the Work Ticket for ease-of-reference during Production.

How to Create a Service

Watch this short video on how to create a Service:

Services in Estimates

Once Services are setup, they become available to the Estimator to be included manually in the Estimate under Pre-Press and Finishing, or automatically if linked to a Press. See image below:

Printing Services

Here are some of the typical printing services that printers provide.

  1. Graphic design
  2. Die cutting
  3. Trim to size
  4. Scoring and creasing
  5. Binding
  6. Folding
  7. Embossing

1. Graphic design

Graphic design is often the starting point for a print job. Including this in your quote or estimate would form part of the services offering.

Graphic designers in the industry of print design find themselves working on magazine layouts, book covers and layouts, catalogs, greeting cards, packaging, textile prints, and more.

2. Die cutting

Die cutting is a process where you can cut out unique square or rectangular objects from a sheet of paper. This is usually done after printing. Die cutting can be used in conjunction with offset and digital printing to do such products as doorhangers and pocket folders.

3. Trim to size

The final size of a printed page after excess edges have been cut off is the trim size. Commercial printing companies often print several copies of one document on the same large sheet of paper. Then the company trims the large sheet down to the finished size of the printed piece—the trim size.

4. Scoring and creasing

In the world of printing, Scoring refers to the process of making a crease in paper so it will fold easier. Basically, a paper score is a ridge that is indented into the paper where the fold line will occur. Creasing can significantly reduce or eliminate cracking at the fold for digitally-printed work. Creasing is a process that prepares the paper for folding by creating two parallel folding points.

5. Binding

As long as there has been printing, there has been binding — the way you organise and secure your project for the recipient. There are many different types of binding, ranging from sewing to stapling, and from gluing to rivets to wire.

6. Folding

There are many ways that a piece of paper can be folded to optimally display the printed information. Here are some examples. Generally, if a piece of paper is not folded it is called a flyer in the print industry.

7. Embossing

In the printing industry, Embossing refers to a method of pressing an image into paper or cardstock to create a three dimensional design. Text, logos and other images can all be formed by the embossing method. Embossing results in a raised surface, with the design higher than the surrounding paper area