Printing & Thermoforming Project Guides

Printing Project Sequence of Events (The Project Cycle)

Also available as a PDF.

  1. Inquiry-customer has new project
  2. Quote the project (see contact page)
  3. Customer issues purchase order for pre-press work and production
  4. Electronic file received by Andex
    1. Electronic file is preferred – (see Electronic Imaging Checklist)
    2. UPC number
  5. Preflight
    1. Confirm file is useable and complete
    2. Compare file data to quote specifications
    3. Re-quote if necessary
  6. Provide customer with a proof (customer driven changes may result in additional charges)
    1. Digital proof for original artwork
    2. PDF for simple copy changes
    3. Press proof available for custom applications upon request, at additional cost
    4. Layout sheet for skin board applications
      • If job uses existing cutting die, customer needs to supply a printed press sheet or an electronic file with layout
      • If new cutting die is required, production press sheet should be used by customer to produce skin board cutting die
  7. Customer approves proof and returns signed approval form.
  8. Prep work is completed
    1. Printing plates are made
    2. Cutting die is made, if required
  9. Production order is printed and coated, if required
  10. Production order is die cut or paper cut
  11. Production order is packed and shipped

Thermoforming Project Sequence Of Events (The Project Cycle)

Also available as a PDF.

  1. Inquiry-customer has new project
    1. Send Andex actual sample of product or to scale mock-up whenever possible (CAD drawings second choice)
  2. Quote the project (see contact page)
  3. Customer issues purchase order for prototype
  4. Provide prototype samples to customer
    1. Design prototypes
      • Develop Cad drawing
      • Provide sample from composite material model or machined aluminum (rare)
  5. Andex compares prototype to original quote dimensions
  6. Re-quote if necessary
  7. Customer approves prototype and returns signed approval form.
  8. Customer issues purchase order for tooling and production run (if not included in prototype order)
  9. Tool design and construction
    1. Combo-Pac tooling
      • Machine aluminum mold pieces
      • Construct single use cutting die
      • Prepare assist plate
         
    1. Dedicated custom tooling
      • Engineer tooling
      • Machine aluminum mold pieces
      • Construct cutting die
      • Design stacker
      • Machine cutting plates
      • Develop plug assist for female design (if necessary)
      • Prepare assist plate for male design (if necessary)
  10. Set-up tooling components on thermoformer
    1. Conduct tooling test
    2. Perform modifications/debugging, if necessary
    3. Production samples may need to be sent for approval
  11. Production order run
  12. Production order shipped