May 2007- Ten Tips for Accurate Estimates and Worry-Free Production

The success of any project depends on an accurate and thorough exchange of project information, which begins at the estimating stage. Sufficient project details are necessary to provide an accurate estimate, which will in turn drive subsequent planning and production activities. In today’s hectic business environment, this up-front preparation is a must to be sure your bindery experience goes smoothly.

There are many pieces of information critical to both estimating and job planning that are often not considered when bids are solicited and when projects arrive for production. To help you plan your projects for successful production and ensure all key job information is communicated, keep these ten tips in mind:

Begin with the Basics – Every request for estimate should include all essential job information, including quantity, flat size, final trim size, number and size of signatures, binding style and any other operations your project will require. Be sure to identify the binding edge and communicate how you plan to furnish your project (flat, folded and cut, etc.). In addition, provide the complete contact information for each person with responsibility for the project.

Once the job is live, these specifications and all other pertinent project details should be supplied on a purchase order, preferably in conjunction with a pre-production sample (see below for tips on creating an accurate dummy).

Provide Paper Stock Details – The weight, finish and grain direction of your paper have an impact on binding and finishing operations. With paper details in hand from the estimating stage, Muscle Bound can identify areas of concern well in advance of production and offer suggestions that can save you time and money further down the road.

Choose a Laminating Film – Film laminating is highly recommended for soft cover books, as it offers excellent durability and resistance against scratching, scuffing and marking. There are several available types of laminating film, including gloss, satin, matte and glueable/stampable varieties, and each one is preferable for different uses. When requesting lamination for your project, specify which film you’d like to use and the size of the sheet you will be producing. The experts at Muscle Bound would be happy to offer recommendations for your specific application.

Don’t Forget Add-On Items – If your project will include items such as bind-in cards, foldouts, index tabs and CD sleeves, make note of them on your request for estimate. Some applications may require additional planning to account for these items while ensuring the end product is strong, durable, attractive and user-friendly.

Select Case Binding Materials – Case binding applications involve the exchange of many additional details, including case wrap and endsheet material selections and information on dust jackets if your job requires them. Case wrap choices include book cloth, printed and laminated paper, imitation leather and other specialty materials. Book cloth is available in several grades and finishes, so let Muscle Bound help you make the best selection for your needs. Additional features such as foil stamping, embossing and dust jackets should also be communicated.

Plain white or colored stock endsheets can be provided by Muscle Bound, or you may furnish your own plain or printed endsheets provided they meet our requirements for strength and durability.

Request Layouts if Necessary – If you require a layout for your book cover, dust jacket, cover wrap or signature, let us know early in the project planning stage. Muscle Bound would be happy to provide a layout customized to your project specifications, minimizing the chance of surprises during production.

Communicate Shipping and Packing Requirements – Shipping and packing details should be finalized before production begins, giving us ample time to meet your needs. Provide all shipping breakout quantities and destination addresses for the production run and to fulfill any sample requests. Packing instructions should include the packing method (such as skids, gaylords or boxes), the quantity per box if specified, any special labeling requirements and the number of sample books to be held out for separate shipment.

An important packing note: If the final size of your project calls for custom-size cartons, they will need to be ordered well in advance of your target delivery date to keep your production schedule on track. Muscle Bound can coordinate the ordering of custom cartons if you desire.

Provide a Pre-Production Sample – A folded, collated and untrimmed mock-up or “dummy” is the clearest way to communicate your vision of the finished product. It also allows us to verify trim margins, bleeds, book bulk and other key details before production begins. Your dummy should consist of a cover and complete text block – with all signatures clearly numbered – pulled from the current print run. A previously-bound sample, while helpful, is not sufficient for troubleshooting, even if the project is a reprint.

Identify Skid Contents for Easy Processing – Effective communication often comes in the form of written marks or notes that help your projects get through production as efficiently as possible. For example, skid contents should be clearly marked to allow for instant processing upon arrival. Identifying all signatures on each skid allows us to quickly prepare binding equipment and ensure what arrives on our floor matches the purchase order.

Include Collating & Crop Marks – Another non-verbal exchange of information occurs on the printed sheets themselves. Collating and crop marks can help speed production by allowing operators to quickly identify the order folded signatures will appear in the finished book and align sheets for best registration and overall quality.

The Muscle Bound Advantage
At Muscle Bound Bindery, we help you manage your project’s details to make the production process as worry-free as possible. Once your project arrives in-house, a production coordinator is assigned as a single point-of-contact for questions and job updates. This individualized level of service means you’re never searching for answers or trapped in an endless phone maze. Call us today to begin planning your next successful project.