Prior to ordering NCR printing it's always good practice to draw up an exact statement of requirements. This will eliminate possible specification mishaps with your Printer and help you to focus on cost reductions. To assist you we've detailed below a guidance checklist:
1) Graphic Design Files. The first thing you're going to need when placing any print order is print-ready artwork. Please be aware that a hard copy of your NCR form is not artwork that a printer can readily use. Infact there could be a considerable amount of work to turn your hard copy into an electronic file that your Printer can use. Ofcourse this means extra expense for you so whenever you ask for artwork to be originated always ask your graphic designer to supply the files to you as high resolution PDF, JPEG or JIFF files. You should also ask for the files to be supplied in the originating software format - for example as Quark, Adobe Illustrator files. You probably won't be able to open these but any new print supplier or graphic designer will, thus reducing future artwork costs and facilitating any future change of supplier.
2) Procurement Quantity? Consider the quantity of NCR sets, pads or books you need. Pads and books usually contain 50 sets, but you should check with your printer to confirm this. To avoid possible confusion your purchase order should state the number of sets you are ordering as well as the number of pads; for example 1,000 sets (20 pads). To reduce the unit cost of your forms we recommend you order what you consider to be your estimated annual consumption. However, this is dependent on you having sufficient storage space and whether you think the form will require changing within the next 12 months.
3) Are All Parts of Your NCR Set The Same? Most NCR sets have identical layout and printing all their constituent parts. However, when designing multi-purpose forms, for example combining a purchase order form with an invoice from, you will probably require the different parts of your form to have different artwork.
4) Standard or Non Standard Size? I know it's obvious but you need to tell your Printer the finished size of your form. You can use standard size like A4 or A5 or you can specify a non-standard size if required, though be aware that this is likely to put up the unit cost because of paper wastage.
5) How Many Parts In Your Set? A top sheet plus 1 copy is described as a 2 part set, a top sheet plus 2 copies is described as a 3 part set and so on. The paper weight on the top sheet can be heavier than the copies if required.
6) Do You Need Printing To Both Sides of Your Form? Many people choose to have their forms printed on the front only, but if you need to you can also print on the reverse as well. This is useful if you require your terms and conditions printed on contracts. Please supply the Printer with the artwork for both sides.
7) Multiple Ink Colours? If you choose multiple ink colours on your forms you will be significantly increasing the cost of your printing, because it takes much more press time. Take a practical view on your forms and ask if you really need multiple pantones.
8 ) Paper Colour Sequence? Often Printers have a standard page colour sequence for example: 2 part: white/pink, 3 part: white/yellow/pink, 4 part: white/yellow/blue/pink. Your own specific colour sequence can be accommodated but may require an extra charge.
9) Numbering? Do you require your NCR sets to be individually crash numbered? This is useful for say contracts, invoices and work orders. Just tell your Printer which number to commence at and where on the form you would like the number to appear.
10) Is Drilling Needed? To save you having to punch filing holes in your forms, you can request your Printer to drill holes on the left hand edge or at the top. There is normally a fixed price per thousand sets for this service.
11) Where Do You Require Your Pads or Books To Be Glued / Bound? The most common choice is to glue or bind the forms at the left hand edge, like a reading book, but you can also have them bound at the head if you wish.
12) Fixed Writing Shield Required? When you write on the top set of your NCR pad or book, you need to insert a shield (usually a piece of card) to prevent the writing impression going through to the next set of forms in the pad / book. For an additional cost you can ask your Printer to add a fixed writing shield, sometimes known as a wrap around cover. As the name suggests the shield is permanently attached to the pad or book thus facilitating the process.
1) Graphic Design Files. The first thing you're going to need when placing any print order is print-ready artwork. Please be aware that a hard copy of your NCR form is not artwork that a printer can readily use. Infact there could be a considerable amount of work to turn your hard copy into an electronic file that your Printer can use. Ofcourse this means extra expense for you so whenever you ask for artwork to be originated always ask your graphic designer to supply the files to you as high resolution PDF, JPEG or JIFF files. You should also ask for the files to be supplied in the originating software format - for example as Quark, Adobe Illustrator files. You probably won't be able to open these but any new print supplier or graphic designer will, thus reducing future artwork costs and facilitating any future change of supplier.
2) Procurement Quantity? Consider the quantity of NCR sets, pads or books you need. Pads and books usually contain 50 sets, but you should check with your printer to confirm this. To avoid possible confusion your purchase order should state the number of sets you are ordering as well as the number of pads; for example 1,000 sets (20 pads). To reduce the unit cost of your forms we recommend you order what you consider to be your estimated annual consumption. However, this is dependent on you having sufficient storage space and whether you think the form will require changing within the next 12 months.
3) Are All Parts of Your NCR Set The Same? Most NCR sets have identical layout and printing all their constituent parts. However, when designing multi-purpose forms, for example combining a purchase order form with an invoice from, you will probably require the different parts of your form to have different artwork.
4) Standard or Non Standard Size? I know it's obvious but you need to tell your Printer the finished size of your form. You can use standard size like A4 or A5 or you can specify a non-standard size if required, though be aware that this is likely to put up the unit cost because of paper wastage.
5) How Many Parts In Your Set? A top sheet plus 1 copy is described as a 2 part set, a top sheet plus 2 copies is described as a 3 part set and so on. The paper weight on the top sheet can be heavier than the copies if required.
6) Do You Need Printing To Both Sides of Your Form? Many people choose to have their forms printed on the front only, but if you need to you can also print on the reverse as well. This is useful if you require your terms and conditions printed on contracts. Please supply the Printer with the artwork for both sides.
7) Multiple Ink Colours? If you choose multiple ink colours on your forms you will be significantly increasing the cost of your printing, because it takes much more press time. Take a practical view on your forms and ask if you really need multiple pantones.
8 ) Paper Colour Sequence? Often Printers have a standard page colour sequence for example: 2 part: white/pink, 3 part: white/yellow/pink, 4 part: white/yellow/blue/pink. Your own specific colour sequence can be accommodated but may require an extra charge.
9) Numbering? Do you require your NCR sets to be individually crash numbered? This is useful for say contracts, invoices and work orders. Just tell your Printer which number to commence at and where on the form you would like the number to appear.
10) Is Drilling Needed? To save you having to punch filing holes in your forms, you can request your Printer to drill holes on the left hand edge or at the top. There is normally a fixed price per thousand sets for this service.
11) Where Do You Require Your Pads or Books To Be Glued / Bound? The most common choice is to glue or bind the forms at the left hand edge, like a reading book, but you can also have them bound at the head if you wish.
12) Fixed Writing Shield Required? When you write on the top set of your NCR pad or book, you need to insert a shield (usually a piece of card) to prevent the writing impression going through to the next set of forms in the pad / book. For an additional cost you can ask your Printer to add a fixed writing shield, sometimes known as a wrap around cover. As the name suggests the shield is permanently attached to the pad or book thus facilitating the process.
About the Author:
Learn more about NCR Pads. Stop by our site where you can find out all about NCR Pricing and how we can save you money.
No comments:
Post a Comment