This reference describes which Estimate Setup objects must exist before Calculate can return a price for a given product category. Pricing rules, the quote letter, and exports are covered in their own cluster references.
Required objects per quote
Setup object | What it controls | When to change this | What depends on it |
At least one substrate that matches the category's size and weight rules | Driver of the paper-cost line on the price breakdown; gates which presses are eligible via tags and size constraints. Open Estimate Setup → Substrates. | When the request asks for a stock weight, sheet size, or coat that is not yet in your library. Add a new substrate row instead of forcing the AI to pick the closest available. | Every quote's paper-cost line, the press route (offset versus digital), and the finishing route (substrates carry tags that finishing machines also use). |
At least one print machine with a valid sheet-size range and configured rates | Driver of the make-ready and run-time lines on the print step. Open Estimate Setup → Print Machines, then the subtype tree (Sheet-Fed Digital, Sheet-Fed Offset, Web Offset, Web Digital, Large Format). | When you add a new press, replace an existing press, or change machine rate. Edit the specific subtype editor — each press subtype carries its own speed, plate, and click fields. | The print step on every quote in the category. Press tags also gate which finishing machines can follow. |
One finishing machine per finishing step the category invokes | Driver of the finishing lines on the price breakdown — cut, fold, laminate, spot finishing. Open Estimate Setup → Finishing Machines, then the step subtype editor. | When the category needs a new finishing operation, or when you replace cutting/folding/laminating equipment. Configure each finishing subtype in its own editor — they have distinct speed and labor models. | Every quote whose category invokes that finishing step. Missing finishing machines cause |
One binding machine when the category is bound | Driver of the bind line on bound categories (Stitched Book, PUR Softback, Wire-O, Hardback). Open Estimate Setup → Binding Machines, then the binding subtype editor. | When you add a binding line (saddle stitcher, perfect binder, wire-o, case maker) or when you replace a binder. Configure each binding subtype separately. | Every bound quote in the category. The binder also constrains accepted page count and binding edge length. |
One product category with production steps on its parts | The structured shape of any quote in that category — page count, parts (cover/body), finishing steps assigned to each part, required fields. Open Estimate Setup → Products → Categories. | When you add a new product family, or when the existing category is missing a required step (for example a finishing step that should always run on bound covers). | The fields the AI fills during intake, the steps the routing engine considers, and the price-breakdown lines on every quote in the category. |
Category Pricing model populated for the category | Markup applied to the cost subtotal to produce the selling price. Open Estimate Setup → Category Pricing. | When the category's margin policy changes or when you launch a new category and need to seed its markup. | The markup line on every quote in the category. |
The AI Configurator (chat-based bulk setup) and Pricing Rules (conditional pricing logic) are optional for the first template quote. Both layer on top of the required setup above; neither is needed to produce a working Calculate.
Apply sequence after edits
Edits to the objects above stage in Pending Changes in the Estimate Setup sidebar. The change is not live until you select Apply Changes. After Apply Changes:
The Pending Changes count returns to zero.
Open or refresh a test quote, select Calculate, and confirm the new substrate, press, or finishing machine appears on the route.