Price Tabs Explained


1. Index Information

This is the section you are in now and contains helpful information about numerous subjects. The drop-down listing of chapters allow you to quickly go to the topic of your choice.


2. Quick Printing/Bond and Offset 8.5x11 and 8.5x14

Quick Printing tables are found in the first part of Section 2. As in previous books, it is assumed in the Quick Printing tables that the press is substantially prepared for running 8.5x11 and in Quick Printing no set up time is passed along.

Bond/Offset tables include set up time which is the essential difference between Quick Printing prices and Bond/Offset.

In Bond / Offset tables, bond and offset papers and any other paper of equivalent running temperament may be valued. The values for this section are good for both 8.5x11 and 8.5x14. In many instances, one table can be used for valuing more than one paper stock as the estimating standards are the same for both 8.5x11 and 8.5x14.

Letterheads, follow the Bond/Offset tables, there are tables to value Letterheads. The format is the same as the upper part of the standard table. The costs in letterheads closely mirrors costs found in the bond and offset tables however higher markups are used to reflect market realities and the additional care required of letterheads. A Zero Grade table is also provided for pricing letterhead jobs not represented by a table.


3. Card/Cover/Bristol 8.5x11

Tables in this section 3 value heavier card/cover and bristol stocks of the 8.5x11 run size. The tables included in this section are the same as in the basic table. Tables using a 2 Color Head follow the main table in this section.

Note: index stock is valued from Section 4 and are not to be valued from this section.

Note: 8.5x14 card/cover/bristol is valued from Section 5 and are not to be valued from this section.


4. Index Stock 8.5x11

Tables in this section value index stock of 90 or 110 pound variety or equivalent. Values for 8.5x14 index are found in Section 5. The tables included in this section are the same as in the basic tables, however the two, three and four on section have been eliminated to provide more tables of different paper costs. To value two, three and four on work, add for paste-up and cutting from other sections of this book. Otherwise, the column headings are the same as in the basic table. Tables using a 2 Color Head follow the main table in this section.


5. Bond/Offset 11x17 Card/Cover/Bristol 11x17 or 8.5x14

Values in these tables cover 11x17 on bond, offset, card, cover or bristol and also are used for card, cover and bristol in the 8.5x14 size. The section can be used for these diverse papers because the estimating times for 11x17 bond and offset are the same as for 11x17 or 8.5x14 card/cover and bristol. The production standard for 11x17 card stock is slower than 11x17 bond, but the difference in the estimating standard is insignificant. Refer to the discussion on estimating standards for more information. Tables using a 2 Color Head follow the main table in this section.


6. Coated Stock 8.5x11 and 11x17

Values in these tables cover coated stock. Tables 6-1 through 6-6 are for run sizes of 8.5x11 coated offset. Tables 6-7 through 6-16 are for run sizes of 11x17 coated offset. Coated cover stock in the run size of 8.5x11 is covered in tables 6-17 through 6-24. 11x17 and 8.5x14 coated cover stocks are valued from tables 6-25 through 6-32. Tables using a 2 Color Head follow the main table in this section.


7. Carbonless 8.5x11 and 8.5x14

Section 7 covers all carbonless papers and contains several different kinds of tables. Tables include precollated carbonless (2 through 6 part) as well as singles (CB, CF, CFB and Tag).


8. Envelopes Standard

Standard business envelopes are covered in this section in two parts. Part one covers envelope sizes #9's, #10's and #12's with four tables per page. Part two covers smaller standard envelope sizes 6 3/4 and 6 1/4. The tables include columns for quantity, one pass regular, two passes regular and the one pass estimating standard. Tables using a 2 Color Head follow the main table in this section.

Printing Flaps: for printing envelopes on the flap with one pass, add 15% to the One Pass price, plus $5.00 set up. Use the Additional Pass Close Set Up and Register column for printing on flaps of envelopes when valuing a second pass on the flap.


9. Envelopes Large and Special

These tables cover catalog envelopes with four tables per page in four parts. Part one values two way remittance envelopes followed by tables with values for standard remittance envelopes in part two. Part three covers baronial envelopes and part four values baronial cards. All pages contain four tables per page. Columns include the quantity, one pass regular, two passes regular and the one pass estimating standard.


10. Miscellaneous Printing

Miscellaneous Printing includes: Gummed Paper; Pressure Sensitive; and Printing Process Color. Instructions and assumptions for process color precede the process color section. Business Cards and Post Cards are included on the last page in the section.

  • Gummed and Pressure Sensitive Tables for Gummed Stock and Pressure Sensitive stock are slightly different from previous tables. Since gummed and pressure sensitive stocks are printed several on a press size sheet instead of being printed 8.5x11, columns for 2 On, 3 On and 4 On are provided to the immediate right of the base table. Quantities in the Multiple On Tables are for finished pieces. Therefore, the value found under the quantity of 1,000 in the 4 On table includes the printing of 250 sheets of the base stock, cutting and paste-up. Assumed in the tables are a dry gummed stock or a gummed stock which has good running characteristics. Gummed stock which is difficult to run must be charged based on the additional estimated running time.

    Base price for Pressure Sensitive is for the press ready sheet. Be sure to add for pre-press cutting if necessary. Also be sure to plan for the proper splits as required in your job layout.

  • Business Cards On the last page of Section 7, business cards are valued. These are retail values of business cards produced in black ink and includes running and cutting. The values do not include typesetting. Values are for producing by the most economical method. Short runs are most economical running one up on a small card. Longer runs are most economical running 4 On. Many times printers will produce cards 8 On, however that is a production efficiency and the savings should be retained by the printer.

    Since business cards are typically printed on stock much smaller than 8.5x11, the actual cost of the paper has very little influence on the final price. We have therefore provided you with three price levels. Economy stock covers low cost vellum bristol and other lesser expensive stocks. The regular cover is typical cover stock and the premium cover is for more expensive cover stocks. Prices include paste-up and cutting up to 4 On.

  • Large/Complex Business Card Jobs

    These schedules are meant to cover simple, small runs of business cards. For large or complex business card jobs, value as you would for any other job. Take the run price from the appropriate press work section (typically card or index), add for pre-press and cutting. You may also use the Estimate Worksheet found at the end of this section for unusually complex or large jobs.

  • Post Cards

    Prices are for black ink printing and includes paste-up and cutting. It is assumed the postcards will be printed 4 On except in the lower quantities where 2 On or 1 On would be appropriate. Add for typesetting and other pre-press as required.

    Note: Government Post Cards values are for 1 On printing only. For multiples on, use Zero tables in Section 3, card/cover and bristol and add for the post cards. When printing on stamped items (cards and envelopes) it is normal to add a fee of 12% of the postage (in addition to markups on the stock) for handling the postage. This fee is then typically eliminated if the customer pays for the job within five days or if the customer supplies the postage money at the time of placing the order.


11. Pre-Press

Values in this section are generally self explanatory. Estimating standards as well as material allowances have been provided where applicable. Table 11-1: Valued on this page are desktop publishing rates; layout and paste-up rate; and camera work rates. Also provided are estimated values for camera jobs; metal plates; typesetting jobs; and desktop publishing jobs. Press washup charges are also included. Table 11-2 and 11-4: Estimated values are provided for typical jobs. Both Commodity Pricing and Custom Pricing are offered. See the instruction in Section 11 for an explanation of Commodity and Custom Pricing. Table 11-8 includes a Facsimile (Fax) Value table which is self explaining. Additional Services are also listed on Table 11-9. These include press preparation charges of press washups and ink charges.

Table 11-6 is a markup table which tells the selling value needed to achieve a specific gross margin. For instance, to achieve a 40% gross margin on a $50 cost, a selling price of $83.33 must be achieved. Table 11-7 contains a markup table listing the factors by which a specific cost must be multiplied in order to achieve a specific gross margin. For instance, to achieve a gross margin of 40%, the cost must be multiplied by 1.667. Some numbers may be slightly off due to rounding.

Markup formulas are also found on Table 11-7.


12. Bindery

All bindery tables are found within this section. The tables themselves are somewhat unique in that they read both across and down. For example, to find the value for collating 3500 total sheets on a collating-machine-automatic, you would read across the table to 3000 and then down to 500.

Using this type of table layout allows for a great many more calculated values than traditional table layouts. In all bindery tables, the set up and per 100 charges along with the minimum charge are disclosed in the upper left hand corner of the table.

Should you need to value any quantity not in the table, simply multiply the quantity needed in hundreds (1500 = 15 one hundred units) times the per 100 charge and add the set up charge to it. Additionally, assure yourself that you are not below the minimum charge listed in the upper left hand corner of each table.