What you print on.
WHAT MATERIALS ARE COMMONLY USED
Papers and boards of various weights Self-adhesive vinyl Banner material Rigid boards Fabric Laminates
WHAT TO ESTABLISH ABOUT ANY MATERIAL
Whether it suits the intended use Whether it suits outdoor exposure How it handles on your equipment Its actual cost per unit of output
WHY OUTDOOR SUITABILITY MATTERS
Materials that fade or delaminate outdoors produce complaints and replacements.
WHAT TO TELL CUSTOMERS
Expected life, honestly.
WHY
Promising durability you cannot deliver produces free replacements.
WHAT TO CHECK ON DELIVERY
Quantity Dimensions and weight Surface condition Consistency between batches
WHY BATCHES MATTER
Paper and vinyl vary between batches, and a job split across two shows it.
WHAT STORAGE REQUIRES
Flat or properly rolled Dry Away from sunlight Protected from dust and damage
WHY MOISTURE MATTERS
Damp paper feeds badly, curls and prints poorly.
WHY SUNLIGHT MATTERS
It degrades vinyl and fades stock before it is used.
WHAT TO TRACK
Material consumed against jobs produced.
WHAT DIFFERENCES REVEAL
Waste, setup spoilage or loss.
WHAT TO MEASURE
Waste as a proportion of material purchased.
WHAT TO DO ABOUT OFFCUTS
Record and use them for small jobs.
WHAT TO AVOID
Holding materials for jobs that may never come.
