When it won’t fit into the building and has to be put into storage for nearly a year, and extensive building works are required to accommodate it, that’s when.

Red faces all round at the Oireachtas, Ireland’s national parliament, and some unexpected publicity for Komori after it emerged that a new B2 Lithrone for its in-house print facility was too big for the building.

It brings to mind the old adage “measure twice, cut once”, as someone, somewhere has not paid attention to the detail here. Perhaps “measure three times and then get a friend to check your workings” would be more appropriate.

By the time the problematic issue around dimensions became apparent the press had been bought, paid for, and almost delivered.

Off to storage the Lithrone went, while costly building works took place that eventually ran to nearly €400,000, compared with an initial estimate of €236,000, according to reports in the Irish Times. Storage costs also racked up. And to put the cherry on top of this particular debacle, some staff are apparently refusing to use the new press in an industrial dispute over pay rates and upskilling.

Dai misu! (As they say in Japan.)

Do you have a similar tale of a measurement misadventure? Get in touch.