You can externalize estimates by using the print function in PAI.
## Accessing Print
You can access the print view in a few ways:
### "Send Estimate"
The "Send Estimate" button is available if an estimate version has not been sent. Clicking it will take you directly to the estimate print tab.
### Estimate Print Tab
You can manage your estimate print options via the estimate print tab. The content window will display a PDF preview of your current document, and the sidebar will include options and settings to customize your document.
## General Print Rules:
- Print views use the external financials from the estimate.
- External Notes for Line items are included as italicized text in the details section.
- Discounts (if used) only show under the section they are applied to.
- The Breakdown Top section shows section subtotals, fringes, and any discounts to arrive at the Grand Total.
- Details section only include line item subtotals and discount adjustments to the section (if any).
## Print Options
1) Choose a Print Layout (described below)
2) Choose a document title
a) "Estimate" is the default option for non-approved estimates
b) "Purchase Order" is the default for approved estimates
3) Set Options as needed:
1) Define an expiration date for estimates (default expiration is 7 days in the future)
2) Include or exclude overages (if approved overages exist, they will be added to the totals of the estimate)
3) For AICP: Enable or Disable budget utilization percentage, will essentially turn on and off the top sheet budget use visualization.
## Print Layouts
### Summary Preset
The Summary preset will only include the following content:
- Estimate Header
- Grand Total
- Billing Details
- Scope Summary
> [!abstract]- Summary Print Use Cases
> - **Executive briefings** - Provide high-level financial overview to executives who need just the total cost and scope without operational details
> - **Initial client discussions** - Share basic project scope and budget during early conversations before detailed approval
> - **Budget approval requests** - Submit to finance teams or stakeholders who only need to approve the total amount
> - **Contract attachments** - Include as a simple exhibit in master service agreements where detailed breakdowns aren't required
> - **Confidentiality situations** - When you need to share project costs but want to protect proprietary production methodologies
### Categories Preset (Default)
The Categories preset will include the following content:
- Estimate Header
- Grand Total
- Billing Details
- Scope Summary
- Category Top Sheet Breakdown
- Details Section:
- Categories, and Line items within each category
> [!abstract]- Category Print Use Cases
> - **Standard client presentations** - Most common format for client estimate reviews, showing logical cost groupings (Labor, Equipment, Services)
> - **Project approval workflows** - Provides enough detail for informed decision-making without overwhelming stakeholders
> - **General contractor estimates** - When working with agencies or other production partners who manage multiple vendors
### Department Preset
The Department preset will include the following content:
- Estimate Header
- Grand Total
- Billing Details
- Scope Summary
- Department Top Sheet Breakdown
- Details Section:
- Departments, and Line Items within each Department
> [!abstract]- Department Print Use Cases
> - **PAI standard departmental breakdowns** - When you need AICP-style departmental organization but using PAI's standardized format instead of strict AICP formatting
> - **Production company presentations** - For clients who prefer departmental cost visibility but don't require AICP compliance
> - **Detailed production planning** - When clients or internal teams need to understand specific departmental allocations using PAI's department taxonomy
### Day Preset
The Day preset will include the following content:
- Estimate Header
- Grand Total
- Billing Details
- Scope Summary
- Day Top Sheet Breakdown
- Details Section:
- Days, and Line Items within each Day
> [!abstract]- Day Print Use Cases
> - **Multi-unit productions** - Showcase costs for different shooting units (New York unit, LA unit, Second unit, etc.) to demonstrate unit-specific allocations
> - **Location-based budgeting** - When shooting in multiple cities or locations, showing costs organized by each day/location combination
> - **Schedule impact visualization** - Help clients understand how adding or removing specific days affects overall budget
> - **Client day-rate understanding** - When clients want to see the true daily operational costs rather than just category or departmental totals
## Special Print Layouts & Presets
### AICP
> [!warning] Note
> The AICP preset is only available as an option if your in an AICP project.
AICP Print will include the following content:
- Estimate Header
- Grand Total
- Billing Details
- Scope Summary
- Department Top Sheet Breakdown, using an AICP Standard format
- Details Section:
- ACIP Departments, and Line Items that exist within each Department.
> [!abstract]- AICP Print Use Cases
> - **Agency presentations** - Standard format expected by agencies familiar with AICP guidelines
> - **Commercial productions** - Industry-standard format for traditional advertising commercial estimates
> - **Agency procurement departments** - Procurement teams trained on AICP standards for easy comparison and approval
### Internal Preset
The Internal preset will include the following content but uses the **Internal costs** of the estimate.
> [!warning]+ Internal Preset uses Internal Rates and Sums
> Internal preset ignores the externalized costs of an estimate and instead uses the internal costs. Ensure to take precaution when sharing.
- Estimate Header
- Grand Total
- Billing Details
- Scope Summary
- Category Top Sheet Breakdown
- Days Top Sheet Breakdown
- Details Section:
- Categories, and Line items within each category
- Days, and Line Items within each Day
> [!abstract]- Internal Print Use Cases
> - **External project manager coordination** - Share internal budget details with freelance producers or external project managers who need full cost visibility but don't have PAI workspace access
> - **Offline budget reviews** - Enable budget discussions in meetings or locations where PAI system access isn't available
> - **Archive documentation** - Create permanent records of internal budget allocations for project files and future reference
> - **Approval workflows** - Route internal budgets through approval processes that require PDF documentation rather than system access
## Related Topics
- [[Days In PAI|Days in PAI]]
- [[Projects & Estimates]]
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