Course Highlights:

• Instructor: Dr. Celeste Calkins, adjunct professor at Southern Illinois University
• Duration: 10 weeks, Thursdays, January 16 – March 20, 2025
• Time: 10:00 am – 11:00 am CST / 11:00 am – 12:00 pm EST
• Format: Live, instructor-led sessions via Zoom

What You’ll Learn
This hands-on course will help you develop practical estimating skills, covering:

• Analyzing specs, production planning, and cost estimating using both manual and digital methods.
• Creating spreadsheets for calculating hourly rates.
• Understanding production standards, changeover points, and various printing press estimates.

Course Competencies

1. Manual analysis and cost estimation using pencil and paper.
2. Spreadsheet development for calculating hourly rates.
3. Methods for accurate production standards.
4. Calculating changeover points for different presses.

Who Should Attend?
This course is ideal for:

• Estimators
• Customer Service Representatives (CSRs)
• Sales Professionals
• Managers and Supervisors
• Anyone interested in moving into estimating

Course Structure & Requirements
The course will include group practice activities, take-home assignments, and a supervisor report at the end. Basic hardware/software needs include a computer with internet, a webcam, Microsoft Word/Excel (or equivalents), a printer, and a scanner or camera for assignment submission.

Course Schedule:
January 16 — Orientation, Business Dynamics, Time Standards, Workflow
January 23 — Substrates; Paper sizing and weights; Metric vs. US
January 30 — Pricing Rolls and Cut Sheets (US and Metric)
February 6 — Production Planning: Press Considerations and Imposition
February 13 — Signature Planning for Press
February 20 — Flatbed and Roll-Fed Inkjet Estimates
February 27 — Digital Press Estimates
March 6 — Offset Press Estimates
March 13 — Developing Hourly Rates for Cost Centers; Changeover Point
March 20 — Estimating Finishing (folders, cutters, saddle stitching)