Ever heard of 6S? It’s a Japanese methodology used to make the workplace more efficient.

6S certainly seems to pay dividends - it’s in use at many successful Japanese companies. Honda and Toyota claim that 25%-35% of all customer-seen problems are the result of not adhering to 6S principles.


The good news is that it applies just as much to printing as it does to other industries.

6S is so called because it is divided into 6 different ‘phases’ each beginning with S, both in the original Japanese, and in English. The 6th phase, Safety, was a bit of an afterthought, but some people say it’s unnecessary as adherence to the first 5 should result in a safe work-place automatically.

In this modern short-of-time world we often neglect good organization, and that, in turn can create inefficiencies which take up even more time. This applies not just in the printroom, but in the office too, and even in the organization of the items in your desktop computer.

6S was designed to help. It will also impress the hell out of your customers! Anyway - here it is, then - 6S for your company.

Phase 1 – Sort – Store or Sling: Sort through your offices and shopfloor and either put into store or sling out everything that is not essential. When was the last time you really had a good clear-out? You mean you’re going to re-use that damaged plate? Don’t make me laugh! And those extra promotional tickets for the big event last summer? What about those old job tickets? You printed the jobs two years ago!

Phase 2 - Set in Order: With an eye to efficiency, arrange your departments and equipment and stores in the way that streamlines your workflow and minimizes effort. Make sure there is a place for everything and that everything is in its place.

Phase 3 – Sweep and Shine: Let’s face it, most printshops could do with a serious clean-up. Before going off shift, make it a rule that the work area is cleaned and tidied. That applies to office staff as well as shop floor. That way everyone can rely on starting work each day in a clean environment, and confident of knowing where everything is. Being clean and tidy should be a part of daily work - not an extra occasional chore.

Phase 4 – Standardize: Doing things in a standard and consistent way helps people operate efficiently and to know their responsibilities. Lay down rules of working and make sure people stick to them.

Phase 5 - Sustain the discipline: A continuous re-assessment of these principles makes sure they continue to be reinforced as part of daily life, rather than slipping back into the old slip-shod way of working. Changing circumstances may need reassessment of the first 4 phases, but the principles should be maintained. New equipment and new products make it essential to change things and provide training.

Phase 6 – Safety: The first 5 phases lead to a safe workplace, but safety should always be reviewed after every change in work practices.

What's that?  You already do all this stuff?  Then I'm pleased (if a little sceptical). Drop us an email so I can buy shares in your company!