Polestar - Print Dynamics on the web (for the visually impaired)

Following the placing of an order by the customer, an assessment of each production operation and its complexity is required. However, a sound knowledge of printing and allied processes is essential before an intelligent understanding can be reached and each job evaluated in terms of production planning, methods, processes and materials.

It is important that the all the technical information gathering, preparation of work specifications, relating to all work types, specialist operations requiring external production and delivery dates are taken into account.This should include scheduling and loading of production times, production methods and processes, and the technology to be used. This should also include the provision of all the materials on the dates on which they must be available, ensuring printing and delivery dates can be achieved. The setting of realistic times required to complete the work and the time available for production.

1. Receive calls from
 customers

The main company reception will be the first point of contact for new and existingCustomers and suppliers.

2. Dealing with customer's
 requests

It is not uncommon for customers to change specification even once manufacture has begun, if the product is still at a stage in production where changes can be made then the CSR will be the first person that is made aware of these changes.

3. Account executives, 
customer service department

This is a large open office environment where the CSR staff are in constant communication with the customer and several areas of the factory gathering and passing on information to and from customers or suppliers.

4. Receiving data -
 customer order

As all the relevant information is collected the works order can be constructed ready to put the product into production, this stage of the process does not begin until an estimate or the customer has accepted an official quote from the printing company.

5. Dealing with customer
 enquiries

It is not uncommon for customers to change specification even once manufacture has begun, if the product is still at a stage in production where changes can be made then the CSR will be the first person that is made aware of these changes.

6. Technical discussions

It is likely that the CSR may require assistance in order to discuss and make technical changes to the product specification.

7. Setting up a work order

The works order is set up on the company MIS (management information system). The MIS will capture all the details relevant to the job, this will include the works order, the materials that need to be ordered, production schedule and delivery date, even the final invoice to the customer is raised via the MIS.

8. Setting up a paper order,
 deliveries and more

Large companies have good working relationships with suppliers, The company MIS system can be loaded with a range of materials that are used within the printing industry including the prices, in this way a detailed estimate can be raised for the production of the job. Paper must be ordered sometimes many weeks in advance as it is often the case that paper is made to order, this is known as ‘the lead time’

9. Invoicing

On completion of manufacture a detailed invoice will be produced by the MIS system.
The MIS system will also compare the costs of manufacture with the estimated costs, customers often agree to cost extras when they require any changes specification throughout the production of the product, it ism important that company’s capture these costs and collect payment form the customer as agreed.

10. File copies/back copies/
reference/samples

This company produces books, it is quite often the case that books get printed more than once, the terminology for a book that has, or is to be re-printed more than once is a ‘reprint’. It is useful, and well practiced by this company to implement a small library to file a back catalogue of books or products that have been produced. Book production is complicated and a hard reference copy can prove very valuable when producing ‘reprints’