Q I am new to print buying and would be grateful if you could give me some tips on print buying such as cost breakdowns. I buy brochures, leaflets, point-of-sale, stationery, etc.
Yan Beviss, via printweek.com

A Thanks to the printweek.com online community members (specifically NDCT, Lesley Beckley, Jon Fennell and Philip Watts) who've already offered Yan some great advice, together with an offer to come and see a host of print production techniques at Aldersons from Philip. I suggest Yan builds up his basic knowledge, for example through some training with Pira International as it runs a variety of courses that could help including one on ‘print fundamentals' (details from www.piranet.com). It also has some publications that may be helpful, including the Print & Production Handbook. Cost breakdowns are harder to provide because the variables change so much depending upon what you're buying.
 
Q Is there a web press out there that can handle a 210x210mm format (or close) printing on 115gsm silk without paper wastage? Run is approx 50,000 240pp limp bound. Advice appreciated.
Tim Pearce, via printweek.com

A I took the advice of an expert (Andrew Moss at AM:PM) and he said if you're willing to compromise slightly on the size and paper stock then it will save you a lot of money and waste. Say by going to a 197mm size instead. Andrew said it would also be possible to produce this type of format on a mini-web such as a Zirkon with a 452mm cut-off as 12pp sections.
 
Hunkeler hunt #2
Richard Anstock at Nottingham Trade Finishers has been in touch following the recent enquiries about Hunkeler lines and stitched mailers. It's something his company has a lot of experience in, and he has a nationwide customer base with both Royal Mail and DSA providers collecting directly from their premises, so Richard hopes they would still be of interest to any London- or southern England-based companies who require these formats. Call 0115 929 4866. On the same theme Philip Watts (yes him again) at Alderson Print Group has responded to Romona Harron-Harding's request via the Q&A forum on our website. Aldersons have Hunkelers along with a host of other clever finishing kit that could potentially be used to do the job. Visit www.aldersonprintgroup.co.uk.