Worked examples
Worked example: custom-size signs priced by area
Check area rounding, copies, minimum charge, setup and a per-copy finishing extra.
Guide source reviewed for PressFlow 1.25.1.
This draft exercise uses invented exclusive-price amounts. It demonstrates the calculation; it does not determine your commercial selling rate or material yield.
Set the pricing model
Create a simple custom-size sign product. Choose Custom-size printing — area rate. Use millimetres, a dimension increment of 10 mm and an area increment of 0.01 m². Set supported width/height bounds that include the test sizes below.
Enter an area rate of £20 per m², minimum base charge £25 and setup charge £10 per job. Add an optional finishing choice at £2 per copy, with its parent field charge zero.
Check a 500 × 700 mm run
For four copies with the finishing extra:
| Step | Amount |
|---|---|
| Rounded dimensions | 500 × 700 mm |
| Charged area per copy | 0.50 × 0.70 = 0.35 m² |
| Charged area × copies | 0.35 × 4 = 1.40 m² |
| Base area charge | 1.40 × £20 = £28 |
| Apply £25 base minimum | £28 remains |
| Add setup | £28 + £10 = £38 |
| Add finishing | £38 + (4 × £2) = £46 before tax |
For one copy without finishing, the £7 area amount is below the minimum: £25 + £10 = £35 before tax. The minimum is applied before the later setup/extras in this method.
Check rounding separately
At 505 × 705 mm, dimensions round up to 510 × 710 mm. Their area is 0.3621 m², rounded up to 0.37 m². Four copies charge 1.48 m². With the same rate, setup and finishing, the total is £29.60 + £10 + £8 = £47.60 before tax.
Check the exact minimum/maximum dimensions and next supported increments. Keep the unit explicit in customer labels. An area rate in pounds per square metre is different from a price per square millimetre.
Artwork and starting reference
Map artwork requirements to the current finished dimensions. Choose a resolution/bleed profile for that sign process; do not copy card settings without review. Test a correct and incorrect size.
For an arbitrary-size product, choose a deliberate validated starting specification that states its dimensions and quantity. Do not imply your starting reference is an exhaustive mathematical minimum across every allowed size. A Configure-for-price label is preferable if no defensible reference exists.
Charged area is a pricing input. It does not calculate nesting, raw sheet usage, wastage, machine time or usable roll width. Build those costs into your chosen rate/minimum or use a more appropriate price table.
Related: Custom-size pricing, Starting prices, Price checks.
Need a hand?
Contact the PressFlow team with details of what you are trying to do.