News from David Ashkenaz -
Independent PrintSmith Consultant | Nov/Dec 2010 |
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Dear Friends and PrintSmith Users,
This issues idea on Ink and Varnish comes from Hank in Houston. Thanks Hank for the ideas and I encourage other readers to email me suggestions for future issues.
PUSH continues to do well as I have many users signing up each week. PUSH is another way to get support from me without coming out to your location, although I do encourage an onsite visit, as we can do alot more in a day or two then we can on the phone!
Thanks again for reading my newsletter, and as always, I encourage your feedback.
The current version of PrintSmith (as of 11/20/10) is version 8.1.12
Sincerely,
David Ashkenaz, Independent PrintSmith Consultant 954-977-7811 |
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Ink Charges within PrintSmith
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Many users are using the ink charge within PrintSmith. This allows you to profit from the ink that is used in each job. In my opinion though, you should look at your ink charged to your clients over a period (3 or 6 months) of time vs. on each job. If you take my suggestion (see below) on setting up inks, then you can not measure each job on how much ink it takes. For example, coated sheets will take much less ink than offset papers. Also, each job has a different amount of coverage and you would be spending way too much time estimating jobs on each amount of coverage (also some jobs come in without you seeing them first).
So my suggestion, set up your ink charges and them with Report Writer monitor them every quarter or twice a year. Use report writer to determine how much ink was :sold" and compare it to how much ink was "bought". Determine what profit you want to achieve on ink, and then change your ink charges appropriately. |
| Setting up Ink Charges |
Create a charge called INK (or Black ink or PMS or even CMYK). Use the costing method "ink Charge". Now go to "piece pricing" and put in how much you wish to charge per pound of ink. If you are using black ink, it may be $10.00/lb if it costs you $5.00/lb. This would be your price to your customers. Note, if you set up a CMYK ink definition, this would be the price to the customer for ALL 4 inks. Now in the "cover/lb" box, this is the number of square inches that a pound of ink will cover. PrintSmith has a table in their manual that gives you industry standards on ink mileage depending on the stocks used (email me if you can't find it in the manual and I will send it to you).
Now go to the "preset info" icon on top and put in the "pct coverage". Again, refer to PrintSmith's chart in the manual.
Now each time you use the ink charge it will charge for ink based upon the usage that you set up.
Again, instead of looking at usage for each job, I would look at a period of time to see what you are paying for ink vs. charging. |
| Setting up Varnish Charges |
To set up Varnish charges, I would follow the above, however for Pct Coverage, I would obviously change it to 100%.
I also recommend that if you are using an inline varnishing, 5 color press and you are doing a job 4/4 with varnish, I would set the press up to and charge for the 5th color as varnish. The extra charge to the customer would more than compensate for the added cost of the varnish. Also the press department would know that it is a 4/4 plus varnish because the estimator would put CMYK + Varnish in the colors field on the job ticket. |
| My on site services |
My on site services include setting up charges like ink and varnish and explaining to you the different ways to charge for it.
As many of you know, my background includes owning my own printing company as well as a degree in Business Management which includes Accounting. As such, I am well versed to show you how to better use PrintSmith in your business.
Many well respected references are available upon request!
I hope to see you soon so that you can better utilize all of PrintSmith's many features!
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 My New Service - PUSH! |
Due to overwhelmingly request from my clients and other PrintSmith Users, I started "PUSH" - PrintSmith Users Support Hotline. Any PrintSmith user can sign up for PUSH. PUSH subscribers receive a "special" phone number that will be manned virtually 24/7 and calls will be returned immediately. The purchase price for PUSH is $550.00 per year and can be paid for via PayPal. Once payment is received, you will receive a flyer with the special phone numbers for PUSH users. Any version of PrintSmith will be supported. Please see the enclosed press release for more details. Also, as always, feel free to call or email me for more details. PUSH Press Release |
| Bar Code Scanners available | |
I sell the traditional bar code scanners that are hand held and plug (USB) into a workstation. One bar code scanner per workstation.
I also sell the wireless type, with a range of about 100 yards. They also plug into a workstation, but with the range, they can be used by multiple employees. If you go out of range, you can still scan, and when you are back in range, they "sink" with PrintSmith.
These scanners are really nice, and although alittle expensive, they save money by eliminating a few scanners and also by utilizing them, you keep track of where every job is in your shop!
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Thanks for reading and I look foward to hearing from you !.
Happy Holidays to everyone!
Sincerely,
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| Save $25.00 |
Bar Code Scanner are still on sale. Hurry, time is limited. All scanners, wired or wireless, include directions and free shipping. Use them to keep track of each jobs location in your shop. Also used for TRACKER! These are $200.00 each (with the discount already applied). Payment via paypal for $200.00 each.
NOW Available -- WIRELESS Scanners!! Please email or call for more details. | | Offer Expires: December 31, 2010 |
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