Using Price Table vs Run Table Follow
Overview
Printer's Plan offers two primary methods for pricing services: the Price Table and the Run Table. Each table is configured differently in separate areas of the Service Setup window. Both offer flexibility, but they serve different pricing needs:
- Run Table: Best for production‑time‑based pricing or cost‑plus pricing models.
- Price Table: Ideal for market‑based pricing, complex per‑unit pricing, or where pricing varies based on multiple item specs.
This article breaks down the logic, use cases, and setup steps for each table type and how to choose the right one based on your shop's needs.
How It Works
In Printer's Plan there are several pricing options available to every service...
Figure 1 - The Price selections available within the Service Setup window. Cost + Markup, Use Price Column of Setup and Run Table, and Use Price Table are highlighted.
Run Table Overview
Services in Printer's Plan have the ability to track costs in different ways...
Run Table Price Options
Cost + Markup
This pricing option will use the Setup and Run Table...
Markup Configuration
When using the Run Table, you can define price as Cost + Markup...
- Constant Markup: Fixed percentage
- Variable Markup: Uses the Markup Table to reduce percentage as cost increases
- No Markup: Price equals cost
Use Price Column of Setup and Run Table
The Setup Price and Run Price columns on the Service Setup window are activated...
Setup Table
The Setup table can be used to modify overall time and material costs...
Figure 2 - The Setup and Run Table in the Service Setup window with the options available for Setup's "Per" column highlighted.
Run Table
The Run Table will have pre-determined quantity breaks...
Figure 3 - The Run Table on the Service Setup window.
Example Use Cases:
- Offset press with variable run speeds
- Copier service with setup and run costs
- Folding service priced by time
Price Table Overview
The Price Table will appear on the left-hand side of the Service Setup window...
Figure 4 - The Service Setup window with the Price section highlighted and an arrow highlighting the Price Table button.
The Price Table enables more sophisticated pricing logic...
0 since pricing is direct.Figure 5 - The Price Table window
Common Uses:
- Digital print services with color/side combinations
- Finishing services priced per piece, set, or insert
- Market pricing not tied to cost
Setup involves selecting:
- Row property (e.g., Item Quantity, Service Quantity)
- Column property (e.g., Sheets per Set, Passes, Width)
- Price per Unit (Each, Per Thousand, or Total)
- Interpolation method
- Multiplier rule for total price
To use a setup fee, configure it in the Setup Table first, then switch back to Price Table pricing mode.
Interpolation Methods
- Step: Uses the value at the closest lower quantity break
- Linear: Calculates a proportional value between breaks
- Sum: Totals prices across ranges (only for cost/price, not speeds)
- 1st+Step / 1st+Linear: Adds fixed price for first unit, then interpolates the rest
Figure 7 - A graph with several lines demonstrating each interpolation method for Printer's Plan: Step, Linear, and Sum method.
Calculation Examples:
Run Table – Copier Service
- Run Speed: 3,000 clicks/hour
- Cost: $0.06/click
- Time Cost: $80/hour
- Setup: 10 minutes → Cost = 10/60 × 80 = $13.33
Price Table – Insert Pricing
- Prompt: "How many inserts?"
- Price: $0.02 per insert
- Entered: 3 inserts for 1,000 items → Total = 3 × 1000 × 0.02 = $60.00
Interpolation – Sum Method
- First 100 units @ $10 = $1,000
- Next 400 @ $5 = $2,000
- Next 500 @ $1 = $500
- Next 200 @ $1 = $200
- Total for 1200 units = $3,700
Key Points
- Run Table is ideal for production‑cost‑driven services
- Price Table is optimal for market pricing or multi‑variable logic
- Interpolation settings affect how quantity breaks behave
- Use Setup Table for setup cost even if Price Table is selected
- Markup logic applies only when using Run Table cost‑based pricing