Stock Audit

Our Stock Audit is a detailed review of your current specification against suitable alternatives available. We assess the options based on your product, production requirements and commercial objectives, enabling you to make the right choices.

Our recommendations may identify opportunities to:

Reduce costs without compromising the finished product

Improve the look and feel of your finished product

Improve the sustainability of your finished product

Improve print and production performance

Can changing paper reduce printing costs?

Alternative paper and board grades can offer opportunities to reduce costs while maintaining the required appearance and performance. We consider the complete specification rather than simply recommending a cheaper substrate. The objective is to find a commercially viable alternative that delivers the right balance of quality, performance, cost and sustainability.

The audit provides a comparison table of your current substrate against viable alternatives. This will display technical and environmental data as well as costs.

Depending on your finished product, we can highlight the thickness and weight of the alternatives suggested by the audit – particularly relevant for magazines and brochures that are posted. We can also recommend where there are opportunities to include Carbon Balancing, where substrates aren't already Carbon Balanced by default.

As part of the audit process, we will also provide samples and dummies of the proposed alternatives. Seeing and handling different paper and boards, particularly when replicated in your specifications, allows you to assess differences in appearance and feel before making a decision.

Reviewing your current substrate specification can highlight opportunities to reduce the environmental impact of your product.

The audit will assess alternative grades based on relevant sustainability and technical specifications, helping you compare factors such as its scope 3 emissions, its recycled content and other recognised environmental credentials.

Along with cost, sustainability is recognised as one of the most important factors, when making a purchase.

No. Sometimes the audit confirms that your existing substrate is already the most appropriate option.

A Stock Audit isn't simply about recommending a different grade. It provides an evidence-based comparison so you can make an informed decision - whether that means upgrading, economising, improving sustainability or staying with your current paper.

Your paper specification can have a significant influence on the quality, cost and sustainability of your publication. Our Paper Audit service gives you the information, samples and commercial detail needed to evaluate the alternatives with confidence.

Talk to us about your current paper specification and discover whether there is a better option for your publication.