May 2006: Planning for Spoilage

Spoilage is a fact of life of every stage of print production. Even the latest and greatest equipment will spoil a minimal amount of product during setup and production. To be sure customers receive the amount of finished product they’ve requested, a spoilage allowance should be calculated during the project planning phase.

Each production process carries with it an expected rate of spoilage, which is calculated as a percentage of the total project quantity. Spoilage rates vary based on a provider’s equipment, personnel and other factors. Below are The Riverside Group’s spoilage rates for many of our key services:

To calculate how many pieces you’ll need to print in order to wind up with the desired finished quantity, add the spoilage required for each production process. A softcover book, for example, would require spoilage rates for folding, gathering, trimming and binding (mechanical, adhesive or smyth sewing).

Spoilage Planning Tips
Spoilage rates are cumulative – Keep in mind that spoilage is cumulative. To calculate how many pieces you’ll need to print in order to wind up with the desired finished quantity, add the spoilage required for each production process. A softcover book, for example, would require spoilage rates for folding, gathering, trimming and binding (mechanical, adhesive or smyth sewing). In many cases, the actually spoilage allowance may be lower than this figure, so confirm with The Riverside Group when you request an estimate.

The Riverside Advantage
Preparing for spoilage is part of the planning process, and nobody helps you plan more thoroughly than The Riverside Group. From estimating through production and delivery, our team of experts will ensure that your customer’s expectations are properly met on every project. And, with our complete range of binding and finishing capabilities, you can maintain control of your projects by consolidating all post press outsourcing with one provider. Give The Riverside Group a call today to get started.