Some Things To Consider When Specifying Paper Stock

There are many factors that affect a price quotation. This month, we'll explore some common misconceptions and issues regarding paper stock. For example, 80# gloss text is a commonly specified stock on quotation requests. This however, is a very generic term and is akin to asking for a hamburger at the local restaurant, ignoring toppings, accompaniments, cooking instructions, etc.

Stock comes in a variety of grades with different opacity and brightness levels. In general, the more opaque and the brighter the stock, the more expensive it will be. If only 1,000 press sheets are needed to complete a job and the stock chosen is $50 more expensive per 1,000 sheets than house stock, then the added $50 to the cost of the job may not be a significant factor. However, if you are running 100,000 press sheets, then the choice of stock can be a major factor, adding $5,000 to the overall cost of the job.

Before sending in a quotation request, ask yourself: What does this piece need to convey? If you are producing a premium, flagship brochure, then your stock should reflect this. If, however, unexpected price increases require you to issue new price lists to all your clients and this wasn’t planned in the budget, then you may want to look at using a standard in-house stock from your printer.

If you are considering “special order” stocks, you need to be aware that these stocks are only available in carton quantities, which vary anywhere from 800 to 1,200 sheets, give or take. If your job only requires 500 press sheets, and the carton contains 1,000, the extra 500 sheets will effectively double your cost of stock. Special order stocks will likely increase the turnaround time on many jobs as well. Often there are alternative stocks that are very similar that can be acquired much quicker and in smaller quantities. Many printers carry a house stock of the most common paper weights that are immediately available in any quantity.

Is your swatch library up-to-date? Often, printers are asked for special order stocks that are no longer produced. Paper suppliers constantly change their offerings and also change the specifications of most of their stocks on a regular basis as well. With cutbacks in staff at many paper merchants, it’s often taking longer for the merchants to inform the printers on the latest changes in paper supply.

The surefire way to achieve the best results for yourself (or your client) is to consult your Account Executive prior to starting the design of the piece. With a little consultation and discussion about the objective of the finished piece, he or she will help you source the correct stock at the most cost-effective price. Our Account Executives have access to the latest stock libraries and availability and will be happy to advise you on the best way to produce the desired result.

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