Build stages around the work your shop performs
A flex banner, visiting card and packaging job should not be forced through identical steps. Product-level status flows let the team use stage names that match artwork checks, machine work, finishing and delivery for each product.
Schedule by promise date and bottleneck
Review overdue jobs first, then work due today and upcoming commitments. Filtering by stage and customer helps supervisors find jobs waiting for approval, machine time or finishing instead of scanning one long list.
Production control is more than stock control
Material availability matters, but it is only one part of production planning. Confirm stock requirements before the job starts and use the workflow to manage approval, due date, status, quantity, finishing and dispatch responsibility.