What to watch when the demo uses the vendor's own sample

On a demo that uses the vendor's own sample, watch whether the defect was printed in advance, whether the speed is yours, and whether the threshold is set from zero on the spot.

A demo that is too clean

When the vendor runs a demo on their own sample, watch three things: whether the defect was printed in advance, whether the speed is your speed, and whether the threshold is set from zero on the spot. A sample that is too clean, with a defect that is too obvious, only shows that the software can draw a box. It does not show that the system will work after you buy it.

A demo that is too clean

Why it is judged this way

Dirt on the demo roll is large and black. Any camera sees it. Ask them to put in a defect that is only just visible, or to switch to your sample. If they refuse, record this visit as an introduction, not as a passed trial.

What to compare

What you see What to call it What not to do
A slight defect is reported at your speed It has reference value Treat it as acceptance
They only showed a large black spot It only shows a box can be drawn Write it into the comparison
They refuse your sample This item has no data Treat the refusal as the vendor being short-changed

At job change or when a roll is opened

  1. Ask who made the defects on this roll.
  2. Ask to switch to your difficult roll.
  3. If they will not switch, do not give a pass.

Related reading

Written by

Editorial Team

Print quality & inspection specialists

We write about print quality inspection from the production floor: defects we have seen, standards we work against and equipment we have evaluated.

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