Sabine on Paper: Money-Saving Tips

Paper prices have risen more than twice in the last 12 months - and they are doomed to rise again. Considering that paper accounts for about 25% - 50% of every print project, wouldn't you love some handy tips on how to save money when it comes to paper?

Say no more.

Sabine Lenz

Lucky for you, I know Sabine Lenz, fast becoming the #1 resource on all things paper. As founder of PaperSpecs.com, Sabine offers all of us a mountain of information about paper. Every week she sends out a terrific (and beautiful) enewsletter that I've been receiving for years. (You should, too. Subscribe at www.paperspecs.com.) This September, Sabine will be participating at our 3rd Annual Print Buyers Conference here in Boston. One of her sessions will focus on 19 handy tips for saving money with your paper. I dare you not to find this topic relevant.

Curious about what she has in store for us this fall, I asked Sabine 5 questions.

MD: Without giving away your whole Conference session, what would you say is the best advice you could share about saving money on print projects when it comes to paper?

SL: Keep an open mind. Not only when it comes to your paper choices, but also relating to the size of the printed piece. In many cases, a small adjustment, like a 1/16 or a 1/25 reduction, can help the piece fit better on the press sheet.

This modification will not only save you money by using less paper, it will also produce less waste, and the environment will thank you for that.

MD: Complete this sentence: If people ONLY knew that ______________________________, they could save a ton of money when spec'ing paper for their print projects.

SL: If people ONLY knew that by comparing printed samples (which you can easily get from your printer or mill rep), they could save a ton of money when spec'ing paper for their print projects.

Printed samples are the best way to get an idea of how the sheet will react in contact with ink. The cheapest paper is not always the most economical choice. How it runs on press and holds the ink are key issues that can save OR cost you a lot of time and money.

MD: Surely there must be a few paper myths that have us all misinformed when it comes to costs. Can you share just one?

SL: Oh, there are a few myths that we continue to hear over and over again, but if I have to pick my favorite, it will be about paper grades.

There is still an overwhelming belief that brightness levels alone will qualify a sheet to be a number 1 or 2 grade.

So, why do we see number 3 sheets with brightness levels of over 90 these days? Well, let's just say brightness is, by far, not the only concern when grading a sheet. Grading is based on brightness, opacity, formation, run-ability ... and marketing.

A good quality, brighter sheet is a more expensive sheet to make. Fillers and chemicals are needed to create the paper's brighter appearance. They help to give the paper a blue-white shade, but they also take a toll on the paper's stability and run-ability on press.

Great brightness and perfect run-ability. It's what you pay for when it comes to a premium or number 1 sheet.

Now here is the money saving part: When you are considering a paper, also ask your supplier for a printed sample of this sheet one grade below and compare. If a mill already offers a number 1 sheet but has no offering in a number 2, they will market it below its actual value to complete their offering.

How much can you expect to save in the grade game? Based on the price of a premium sheet, going down to a number 1 sheet will provide you with a 12% savings on paper cost. Moving to a number 2 sheet can save you as much as 24%.

MD: The sustainability movement is getting hotter every month. In your presentation, will you be covering this issue as it relates to cost savings? Can you give us an idea of what's in store for your audience?

SL: There are a number of misconceptions about recycled and sustainable options and the main one I still hear is, "it is more expensive to spec a green sheet."

If you (or your company/client) want to make a green statement, there are several options - from a merchant's paper program to better credit terms and consolidating your general printing needs - that will help you save costs.

One general tip that will come in handy with all your paper needs is: Know standard price breaks.

When it comes to offset printing, the rule of thumb is: The longer the print run, the better the cost per unit will be. The same goes for paper prices. The more you buy, the better your pricing. So be aware of the general price breaks on offer:

• One carton is the basis paper price. The quantity of sheets per carton varies by mill and grade and is usually listed with the stocking information in the paper's swatchbook.

• Four cartons already amount to a savings of 5 - 15%.

• With 16 cartons, you'll get a 10 - 25% cost reduction per carton.

• Broken cartons are 15 - 60% above a one carton price and are the most expensive of them all. No, these are not damaged goods, but are quantities that run below the "sheets per carton" listed in the paper's stock list.

MD: Sabine, aside from getting your weekly enewsletter and perhaps even becoming a member of PaperSpecs, how can print buyers and designers best keep up with the printing industry today?

SL: I have been in the industry for more than 15 years now, and there has never been a time when paper specs and lines have been changing so fast. At PaperSpecs, we receive paper updates for our database nearly every other day. It's basically a full-time job for anyone to stay on top of all the new releases and updates, and we are here to take that load off your shoulders.

But besides that, make sure you have a great relationship with a trusted printer and mill or merchant rep. They can be lifesavers in times of paper needs and can help you stay up-to-date.

Thanks, Sabine! If you want to meet Sabine - and benefit from her endless paper wisdom - attend her session at the Conference on Friday, September 12th, from 10:30 to 11:45 am. She is also moderating a Paper Panel on Thursday, September 11th, from 2 to 3:30 pm. Visit our conference schedule page for full session details.

Comments? Talk to me at mdana@bostonprintbuyers.com.

©2008 Margie Dana. All rights reserved. You're free to forward this email to friends and colleagues: please do! However, no part of this column may be reprinted without permission from the author.

Print Buyer Conference Update

September 11th - 12th, 2008

Sheraton Boston Hotel, Boston, MA

Our Conference comes in like a lion (with Print Buyer Boot Camp!) and goes out like a … lion. Join us at 3:45 on Friday, September 12th in the Exhibit Hall for a PRINT TRIVIA GAME SHOW! King of the Print Jungle Frank Romano will act as emcee, pitting the Exhibitors against the Attendees in this contest of wits. Prizes? You betcha!

Speaking of the Exhibit Hall, there are only a few booths left. Don't be left out! Go to www.printbuyersconference.com and click on Exhibitors, or contact Barbara Graham at (978) 490-0010 for details.

Registration questions? Contact info@printbuyersinternational.com.

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July 24
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