The document discusses the basics of print planning using the START acronym: S (substrate), T (type of work), A (arrangement), R (resources), and T (total). It explains that the substrate could be paper, plastic, foil, or other materials. The type of work determines what equipment and finishing processes are needed, such as cutting, folding, binding. The arrangement considers how items are laid out and finishing. Resources include materials, inks, and outside services. The total quantity affects how the job is printed.

1. Basics of Print Planning
Expanded Presentation
November 1, 2010
By Philip Vantassel, C.P.M.
Printer1@charter.net
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2. Overview
 Everyone touches and sees printing,
whether it is a:
– Newspaper
– An electric service bill
– An owner’s manual for the car
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3. Overview - continued
 If an item is printed, someone needs to
plan the job.
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4. Printing comes in many forms
 M & M Candies
 Capsules
 Books
 Brochures
 Maps
 T-shirts
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5. START
 For this print-planning overview let’s
use the acronym “START” .
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6. Substrate
 The material used to print on.
 The substrate many times is paper but
also can be:
– Plastic
– Foil
– T-shirts
– M&M candies
– Medicine capsules
– Wallpaper
– etc.
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7. Substrate – Paper Type
 Bond
 Text
 Index
 Vellum bristol
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8. Substrate – Paper Finish
 Coated
 Un-coated
 Vellum
 Linen
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9. Substrate – Paper continued
 Basis weight
 Size options
 Grain
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10. Type of work
 Equipment and finishing processes
– Cutting
– Folding
– Stitching
– Binding
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11. Is this job a:
 Sell sheet-print and trim
 Brochure- prints, trims and fold
 Catalog-print, trim, fold, stitch
 Perfect bind
 Wire-o
 GBC
 Padding
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12. Arrangement
 How the work is laid out on the substrate.
 What are the finishing requirements?
 Based on the image to be printed is their
equipment limitations?
 Is mechanical ghosting a concern?
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13. Resources
 Materials
 Outside services
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14. Resources - Special Materials
 Cartons
 Shrink wrapping
 Special cartons
 Special skids
 PMS inks
 Special coatings
 Glues
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15. Resources – Outside Services
 Foil stamping
 Embossing
 Mounting
 Lamination
 Special shipping
 Special packing requirements
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16. Total
 The quantity ordered.
 How you plan to print a quantity of ten
is different than a quantity of ten
million.
– Web
– Digital
– Sheet-fed
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