WORKFLOW STEPS

Print-shop scheduling: how it works with Plotoniq Kanban

Six production stations on one board: enquiry, calculation, production, installation, done, invoicing. The concrete flow instead of an abstract feature list.

PRODUCTION MODULES

The Four Pillars of Production Planning

Efficient production planning needs four building blocks: job management, machine planning, time tracking and post-calculation.

Kanban Board

All jobs at a glance: who does what, what's done, what's stuck.

  • ✓Columns: Enquiry → Calc → Production → Installation → Done
  • ✓Colour coding by priority and deadline
  • ✓Notifications on status change

Machine Planning

Plan plotter times, print times and laminating as resources.

  • ✓Occupancy calendar per machine
  • ✓AI detects bottlenecks and suggests alternatives
  • ✓Integrated with job calculation

Time Tracking

Staff record time directly against jobs — in the browser-based web app.

  • ✓Start/stop timer per job
  • ✓Geofencing: automatic tracking at installation sites
  • ✓Overtime and holiday integrated

Post-Calculation

Actual vs. planned costs. AI learns for future quotes.

  • ✓Automatic actual vs. planned comparison
  • ✓AI recommendations for better pre-calculation
  • ✓Profitability reports by job type

THE PRODUCTION FLOW

From Order Confirmation to Completion

  1. 1

    Order Confirmation Received

    Customer approval automatically triggers production. Job appears in Kanban.

  2. 2

    Check Material Order

    System checks if material is in stock or needs ordering.

  3. 3

    Assign Production Job

    Job is assigned to a staff member or team. Deadlines become visible.

  4. 4

    Production and Time Tracking

    Staff starts timer, begins production. Photos can be captured.

  5. 5

    Quality Control

    Internal inspection protocol. Customer is notified.

  6. 6

    Installation and Completion

    Installation appointment, on-site time tracking. Invoice created automatically.

Production Planning in Sign Making: What Really Matters

The biggest challenge is coordination, not technology. Without a system, you quickly lose track.

A kanban board solves the coordination problem. Everyone sees what needs to be done today.

Post-calculation is the most underestimated tool. Most businesses don't know after a job whether they made money.

AI PRODUCTION

Production Planning with AI Support

PlotonIQ AI detects bottlenecks and creates automatic post-calculations.

Discover Production Module

Related Topics

WORKFLOW

Professional Quotes

FEATURE

Time Tracking

FEATURE

AI Post-Calculation

Frequently Asked Questions About Sign Making Production

Do I need dedicated software for a small business?▼
From 5 active jobs simultaneously, a digital production system is worthwhile.
How does time tracking integrate with calculation?▼
In PlotonIQ, recorded time flows directly into post-calculation.
Can I give subcontractors access to the system?▼
Yes — external users with restricted rights see only their assigned tasks.
How do I prevent deadlines from being missed?▼
PlotonIQ sends automatic reminders when a deadline is 48 hours away.
Is machine planning worthwhile for small businesses?▼
From 2 machines and more than 3 parallel jobs, a digital occupancy overview pays off.

Manage Production Digitally

Kanban board, time tracking and post-calculation. Beta: monthly plans.

Try for free now