What inspection is worth doing on a short digital carton run
On a short digital carton run, compare once with the final artwork, take one brand-colour reading, and check that variable numbers are not repeated. Do not copy a long flexo inline schedule.
On a short digital carton run, what is worth doing is one comparison with the final artwork, one reading of the brand colour, and a check that variable numbers are not repeated. What is not worth doing is copying the full inline frequency of a long flexo run. The loss on a short run often comes from the wrong file, not from an ink bar.
Why it is judged this way
For a hundred cartons, the time to set up a complex inline system can be longer than the printing. Time spent on the first sheet against the artwork, and on the numbers, returns more. If the customer contract says inline 100 percent inspection, do that inspection. Do not use the short run as an excuse to skip a contract item.
What to compare
| What you see | What to call it | What not to do |
|---|---|---|
| The first sheet does not match the final artwork | Stop. Do not keep printing | Print the lot and sort afterwards |
| A number is repeated | Take that piece out | Accept the lot because the quantity is small |
| The contract requires full inspection | Follow the contract | Skip it because the run is short |
At job change or when a roll is opened
- Before printing, compare the first sheet with the final artwork.
- If there are numbers, check them for repeats.
- An item in the contract is not skipped because the quantity is small.
