One question- how would you account for brapper paper and mask on a laminated job?
how would you account for something like the following (from a little job we just ran this morning)
3 signs @ 36" x 36"
3mm ACM, High tack vinyl & matte laminate
I created a "substrate" that combines ACM + vinyl + lam but I think I need to factor in material yield etc.
For example, even though the finished product is 3 signs @ 9 sqft each = 27 sqft, the substrate (acm) and vinyl/lam/ink use is different and there are different considerations for waste/drop etc.
ACM ends up using 36 sqft total (building in drop from 36" cuts)
Vinyl/lam/ink ends up using 47 sqft assuming drop from 36" prints and a bit of waste for marks etc at beginning/end of the job
Any tips for overcoming things like this?
I've always struggled w/ creating rules that factor in waste/drops and not necessarily getting 100% yield out of every sheet/roll.
In the original
FireSprint.com thread on the calculator topic I mentioned that all components can be combined into a single table (list). Each component is separate and sign makers may require what amounts to hundreds of individual components. Individual key labors and key machines are also included in the table as they are components as well.
A "product" is made of assembled of required components, sometimes referred to as "parts." A table of products might also amount to hundreds in a list. Realize however, many products and components are just slight variations of their root, which greatly alleviates some of the shock of working with long lists.
So, component categories might be; media, rigid, laminate, adhesive, fasteners, ink, printer, installation, trimming, heat press, packaging, project coordination, design, expendables, etc., the list goes on. They can all amount to a "stack" of layers which make up the sign product as a line item. So, each layer of the stack has its own costs and pricing which will amount to overall costs and price and should be apparent when displayed as a "line item breakdown." The FireSprint spreadsheet calculator is a start but one could add additional rows for their individual component needs, as Gene has mentioned. The FireSprint calculator is modifiable.
Be sure to realize that while one might sell per the square foot, material usage is often expensed using linear feet. It's a rule. I think Gene made this clear also.
