Welcome to our Award Winning Bindery Success Blog!

Here’s a simple bindery equipment troubleshooting video tip for both experienced and novice operators alike. Despite all my years running a variety of equipment, I used it just last week to overcome a problem on a Baum 714.

We are regularly asked if it’s possible to crease and fold cover stocks two-up on a buckle folding machine. The short answer is, “Yes, it's possible and in fact it’s done all the time.” The more detailed answer is, “Yes, but there are a few things to consider.” Since we are all in the business of getting more productivity from the bindery equipment we have to work with, it is well worth taking a few minutes to review these possible ‘gotchas’.

Oh no, not another year-end Top Ten list! I bet you look at it anyway. Based on the number of views, the fact is that these are a reflection of some of the more common every-day problems faced by various bindery equipment operators. These new articles from 2014 illustrate some effective solutions to these problems. So if you missed any of these bindery tips, check them out and share them with your colleagues.

The first inkjet printer I purchased was a promising marvel of technology. In the first months of running a startup business, I was thrilled that I could now print a few full color letters or brochures in my own office. Then as I began running various designs, different types of paper and envelopes, along with attempts at mail merges, the luster of the new technology quickly turned into frustration.

Have you ever produced a saddle stitched or perfect bound book only to later find a mark hidden somewhere inside? If you’re lucky you find it during the actual folding and binding production and you track down the culprit to eliminate it. Otherwise all you can do is hope the customer doesn’t notice. This type of finishing problem is often associated with matte and dull-coated paper.

One of the frequently asked bindery questions we get here is, “Don’t I need a special attachment like a Rotocrease to crease or perforate on my folding machine?” The short, simplified answer is, “No.” Based on the experiences of thousands of our customers, the majority of print finishing departments can successfully crease and fold cover stocks on their floor-model folding machines.

Have you ever tried to explain how a folding machine actually folds paper to someone with no knowledge of bindery equipment? Perhaps you’ve tried explaining how a saddle-stitched book is made. It’s one thing to absorb enough knowledge so that we can do our jobs. We know how to learn for ourselves. It’s quite another thing to teach what we’ve learned to someone else.

One of the many frequently asked bindery questions I get is, “What kind of score should I use on a 16 page right angle signature?” It’s a popular format which folds once in the main section, once in the 8pp right angle, then once in the final 16pp right angle. (see diagram at right)

My answer, which surprises many, is, “None.” You don’t need a score in there at all. In fact, adding a score to a 16 page signature can make you work harder than you should. I’ll give you the nuts and bolts answer here, and you can see it in more detailed action as we fold a 16 page signature in the video below.