Good to know
Why did I get more (or fewer) pieces than I ordered?
The short answer
Printing is made in runs, not counted out one piece at a time, so the finished count can land a little above or below what you ordered. The long-standing custom in the printing trade allows up to 10 percent over or under, and the bill is for the number delivered. If you need an exact count, say so when you ask for the quote.
What overs and unders are
An overrun is more pieces than you ordered. An underrun is fewer. Printers call them overs and unders.
Under the trade custom, an order that comes in within 10 percent either way is a complete order. Order 5,000 brochures, and anything from 4,500 to 5,500 counts as delivered in full.
Ten percent is the outer limit, not the usual result. Many runs finish within a few percent of the number ordered.
Why a printer can't stop at exactly 5,000
A press does not start out printing good pieces. The first sheets are used up getting the color and the alignment right. That setup is called makeready.
Then every step after the press loses a few more: cutting, folding, binding, die cutting, gluing. A sheet jams. A stack is trimmed a hair off. Those pieces are pulled out.
Nobody knows ahead of time exactly how many will be lost. So the printer starts with extra, to be sure of finishing near your number. Lose fewer than planned and there are overs. Lose more and there are unders.
How it shows up on the bill
The custom is simple: you pay for the pieces you receive. If 5,200 arrive on an order of 5,000, the bill is for 5,200. If 4,900 arrive, the bill is for 4,900.
That is why a final bill for printing can come in a little above or a little below the quote. It is not a mistake, and it is not an added fee. It is the count.
Where the 10 percent comes from
It comes from the printing trade customs, a set of standard terms printers have long worked under. They say three things about quantity:
- Overruns and underruns will not be more than 10 percent of the quantity ordered.
- The printer bills for the quantity actually delivered, within that allowance.
- A customer who needs a guaranteed quantity has that agreed when the job is quoted.
When the count has to be exact
Sometimes close is not good enough. A mailing to 5,000 addresses needs 5,000 pieces. An event with 300 seats needs 300 programs. Numbered tickets can't skip a number.
Say so when you ask for the quote, before the order is placed. There are two common ways to put it:
- No fewer than. You need at least this many. The printer plans a longer run, so expect some overs.
- Exact count. You need this many and no more. The printer runs extra to be safe and sets the surplus aside.
Does it apply to every job?
No. It shows up most on larger runs on a printing press, and on pieces with several finishing steps, such as folded brochures, bound booklets, and pocket folders.
A small digital run has very little setup waste, so it usually arrives at the count ordered, or very close to it.
The allowance can also differ by the kind of work. Labels, envelopes, packaging, and imprinted products often carry their own. If the number matters, ask what the allowance is for your job.
Questions
More about overs and unders
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EXCELLENT4.9 from 58 Google reviews, rated 4.9 out of 5. Opens our Google Business profile in a new tabDo I have to pay for the overs?
Under the trade custom, yes, as long as they are within the allowance: the bill is for the pieces delivered. If you would rather not receive extras, say so before the order is placed, so it can be quoted that way.
What if I receive fewer than I ordered?
Within the allowance, the order is complete and the bill is for the smaller count. If the full number matters, ask for 'no fewer than' when you request the quote.
Is 10 percent over normal?
No. Ten percent is the limit, not the target. Many runs finish within a few percent of the number ordered, and long runs are usually the closest.
Can I get exactly the number I ordered?
Often, yes, if you ask when the job is quoted. An exact count can change the quote, because the printer has to run extra and set the surplus aside.
Why don't printers just print the exact number?
Because the losses along the way can't be known in advance. Hitting a number exactly means printing extra and then setting good pieces aside. Billing for the count delivered means every good piece goes to the customer who ordered it.
Does this apply to promotional products too?
Many imprinted products are made in runs as well, and can carry an allowance of their own. It differs by item, so it is worth asking when you order.
Where do I find the count I received?
On the bill, which is based on it, and usually on the packing slip that comes with the boxes.
Also worth a look
Need an exact count?
Tell us the number you can't go below when you ask for a quote. You'll see a proof before anything is made.