I'd guess 3-5% on average.  However, I'm the person who writes, produces, prints, and (often) hangs them, so by the time they've gotten to the gallery, I've proofed them several times.   So that percentage is how many need re-printing after I've taken them out to the gallery.

The percentage is getting a lot lower now that I've streamlined the process by having reams of cardstock cut to two standard sizes (5.5" x 6", and 11" x 6").  I design/write labels to print onto one of those two sizes, so we don't have to kill ourselves trimming dozens of labels after printing.  I used to find myself re-printing a lot more labels when we had to trim them by hand. 
Jill R. Chancey, PhD
Curator
Lauren Rogers Museum of Art
PO Box 1108
Laurel, MS 39441-1108
www.LRMA.org
[log in to unmask]


Erin Blake wrote:
[log in to unmask]" type="cite"> "Failure rate" for descriptive labels during exhibition installation?

Like everyone (I think.... correct me if I’m wrong) we always find a few typos or content problems with labels during exhibition installations. Our labels are printed out in-house, then dry-mounted, and stuck to the wall with putty, so it’s not as if we have to repaint the room when something goes wrong. But still, it’s a problem if lots of labels need to get re-printed.

How many descriptive labels per hundred (let’s say) do you end up needing to re-print at the last minute?

I’m trying to get a sense of what a reasonable “expected failure rate” might be.

Note that our exhibitions are all “in house” productions -- no professional designers, editors, etc., so we only have ourselves to blame.

Thanks,

   EB.

--------------------------------------------------

Erin C. Blake, Ph.D.  |  Curator of Art & Special Collections  |  Folger Shakespeare Library  |  201 E. Capitol St. SE  |  Washington, DC 20003-1004  |  office tel. (202) 675-0323  |  fax:  (202) 675-0328  |  eblak[log in to unmask]  |  www.folger.edu

========================================================= Important Subscriber Information:

The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes).

If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).

========================================================= Important Subscriber Information:

The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes).

If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).