Printpak is an intelligent system. This means that you only need to set up the briefest of details
regarding the costs and capabilities of each press in the configuration screen. The system can
work out the best way to use the presses and even choose the best production method from a
combination of presses.
In fact, you could include details of your competitors’ presses, which could be useful when trying
to assess the market in a tight competitive situation, and you can set up presses corresponding to
your outsourced print suppliers’ presses – good information to have when negotiating with them.
Printpak supports 4 basic types of press: sheet fed litho (or screen), sheet fed digital,
and
continuous and web, both of which are dealt with under litho. In calculation terms,
the main
difference between continuous and web presses is simply that paper for web presses is
measured in tons, whereas paper for continuous presses is measured in 100 sq metres or 100 sq
ft.
The other press types are simply variants on the 4 basic types: Continuous has two additional
types - variable drop continuous, and twin-reel continuous, and web has an additional sub-type -
multi-web, where 2 or more web lines run through the same finishing unit.
Hot foil machines are considered to be sheet fed machines in general, and the roll of 'foil ' is such
as used in closings.
Continuous label machines usually count as variable drop continuous. Occasionally 'sheet '
operations can be carried out on a roll of material (e.g. flexo or screen printing onto banner or
ribbon). In this case the press should be set up in a new incarnation as a continuous machine.
Pricing for large format digital printing can be accommodated in continuous or sheet - it depends
how you like to cost it.