It all started innocently enough. My plan was to do a short video about using alternative folding machine setups to crease and fold paper that is prone to fiber cracking. I had a few problem jobs on hand that I knew would be perfect subjects. It would be fast and simple. Crease and fold a handful of sheets conventionally, using fold plate #1, to illustrate how they cracked. Then run those sheets in fold plate #4 to show how you can eliminate the cracking.
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.
This week we have a bindery video for you about how to produce some very high quality perforations on your folding or scoring machine. Most experienced bindery operators and supervisors, when they first hear this, don’t really believe us. We can see it in their eyes…it’s like they’re indulging the whims of some kind but crazy distant family member.
Have you ever made a purchase and immediately wished you had gone for a bigger or faster version with more features? It’s a universally recurring theme. We just upgraded to a new phone system and within one day we were asking ourselves why we didn’t get or weren’t offered a phone with slightly more capabilities. With bindery equipment purchases, this behavior usually is a result of underestimating either the actual volume of work or the time and effort required to complete it.
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.
Fold plate indicators don’t always tell us the truth. Set one at any given length and then fold a sheet. You might get the dimension you want on the first sheet if you’re experienced on that folder. More likely you’ll have to adjust it once or twice.
One frequently asked bindery question we get is “How can I produce multiple scores, very close together, on my folding machine?” These scores might be for a few different purposes such as perfect bound book covers, product cases and wraps, tray inserts, table tents, raffle ticket booklets, or other specialty folded items.
When you run cover stocks on a buckle folding machine, you can end up with a curl that affects how well the job will run. Naturally, to get maximum benefit from your folder you want the ability to run as big a range of cover stocks and card stock as possible.
This is, without a doubt, my all-time favorite bindery tip. I say that because I struggled with this particular issue for many, many years. Then one day an old-timer I was working with said, “Hey, all you have to do is this…” and he shared the technique shown in the video below. Just like that, my problem disappeared!
Here’s a ‘scoring’ technique borrowed from the greeting card industry. It might seem a little old school, but it’s still used quite often, and it’s a great technique to have available when you need it.