Shortrun

Shortrun is a term used to describe limited-volume production across manufacturing and publishing sectors. It denotes quantities produced that are too small to justify traditional mass-production setups and often requires flexible processes, digital tooling, or on-demand capabilities. Shortrun projects are common during product prototyping, market testing, limited editions, or customization efforts.

In manufacturing and product design, shortrun production relies on adaptable workflows, quick-change tooling, and near-demand capabilities. Techniques include low-volume injection molding with soft tooling, CNC machining, rapid prototyping, and additive manufacturing. These approaches reduce upfront tooling investment and allow iterations.

In printing and publishing, shortrun refers to short-run printing or on-demand printing where small quantities are produced quickly, often with digital presses. This enables cost-effective experiments with layouts, content, or formats without committing to large print runs. Typical applications include marketing collateral, short-run books, packaging samples, and test catalogs.

Economic and operational considerations: unit costs are higher per piece than in long runs, but total cost may be lower due to reduced inventory and lower risk of unsold stock. Lead times can be shorter, enabling faster time-to-market, but setup and changeover efficiency remain important.

See also: short run (economics), small-batch production, on-demand manufacturing, rapid prototyping.