Custom perforated paper in large quantity

[gregbatch]

Does anyone have a good source for 50k to 100k 13x17 60# with a single perf? Need it for a large variable job.

 

[Stickman42]

I've had similar needs in the past. My paper merchant (Lindenmeyr) placed custom orders with the companies that produce standard perf items. It's worked very well both on price and in runnability.

 

[gregbatch]

I've had similar needs in the past. My paper merchant (Lindenmeyr) placed custom orders with the companies that produce standard perf items. It's worked very well both on price and in runnability.

Thanks! What kind of lead time did it require? I also wonder if that is still an option in the current paper climate.

 

[jwheeler]

Does anyone have a good source for 50k to 100k 13x17 60# with a single perf? Need it for a large variable job.

Here's one option: Perforated Paper Shop

Also, BlanksUSA does custom orders if one of their perfed papers doesn't already fit the bill.

 

[Stickman42]

Thanks! What kind of lead time did it require? I also wonder if that is still an option in the current paper climate.

It varied but it was typically a few weeks. As @jwheeler mentioned BlanksUSA was one I've used, as is Performance Office Papers.

 

[MailGuru]

We always just bought the paper from our normal paper supplier, and, used a local bindery. Had the paper drop-shipped from the supplier direct to the bindery. You could even order the sheets in a larger size (26 x 34) and they can perf 2-out, then cut. Just make sure they know that it needs to be a "micro-perf" so that it will run through a digital press. First run will cost you a little more because they have to set/build the die. But, once you've paid for the die, all other runs do not include that cost. You'll want to run a test run first (a couple of thousand) so you can make sure that it's not going to give your digital press any problems. Turnaround for the first run was a couple of weeks. All subsequent runs (we ran this particular job weekly, for 2 years) turnaround was a couple of days.

 

[MailGuru]

Also, if it's a simple, unidirectional perf, you can always print first, then perf on the folder....

 

[Shawnd]

Interesting size, does this get cut down?

I have done the same as @MailGuru for large runs, usually for those dang 3 perf 8.5 x 14 jobs.

 

[gregbatch]

Interesting size, does this get cut down?

I have done the same as @MailGuru for large runs, usually for those dang 3 perf 8.5 x 14 jobs.

Yes, gets slit to 8.5 on the folder. We have been converting customers from 8.5x14 to 8.5x13 wherever possible. 14 inch is such an inefficient sheet for digital. The machine speed is only 10 sheets slower for 17 inch and you get 2-out. So 71ppm vs 122ppm 2-up and slit.
We found a print partner with a Didde that has a nice perf bar that can do it cheaper than anyone else has quoted. That gets the price down a more competitive edge and gives us the opportunity to convert many customers to white paper production rather than shells. Even when we are a bit higher, the flexibility for the customer has great value. One customer has 5 clients that use the same sheet/perf format. Managing shells for 5 different clients was a pain. Now they never worry about waste or being short, and they are ready to take on new clients because they can scale up or down as needed.

 

[Shawnd]

Interesting, I have so many devices that can do "micro" perf but they all suck at keeping the long sheets registered. I just picked up a Formax Atlas AS that I will try perfing on it to see how it goes.

 

[TJPrinter]

Interesting, I have so many devices that can do "micro" perf but they all suck at keeping the long sheets registered. I just picked up a Formax Atlas AS that I will try perfing on it to see how it goes.

I have a couple Rolland machines and they run perfs nice and straight even on longer sheets. I wouldn’t want to run 50,000 sheets but for short runs or a few cases at a time they are great. The direct friction feed works just as nice at keeping the lines straight as the air feed with register tape table.

You should be able to find a used one at a good price and they are built like tanks that will last forever. I put several Technifold creasers on one and the crease is just as good as a channel crease, Rollem style head micro perfs are nice and flat too.

 

[Shawnd]

I have a Rosback 220a that sits in the corner collecting dust if anyone is looking for one. These days I just farm out the bigger perf jobs. If need be I will throw them through the Graphic Wizard if I need custom perfs.

 

[k_graham]

I have a couple Rolland machines and they run perfs nice and straight even on longer sheets. I wouldn’t want to run 50,000 sheets but for short runs or a few cases at a time they are great. The direct friction feed works just as nice at keeping the lines straight as the air feed with register tape table.

You should be able to find a used one at a good price and they are built like tanks that will last forever. I put several Technifold creasers on one and the crease is just as good as a channel crease, Rollem style head micro perfs are nice and flat too.

Regards the Rollems, I have a Auto4 friction fed machine and have had issues where it pulls doubles of bond sheets. I have seen the odd Champion 990 for sale with vacuum feed and was wondering if that was preferable for single sheets and the carbonless sets, as we digital number the last few years, our use would be perf, score and maybe backslit.

 

[TJPrinter]

The Rollem air feed with the register tape table would help in reducing the double feeds but it still requires some adjustments. The feed works pretty much the same as a bottom feed folder with air feed. The friction feed will work well but the blue feed sleeves wear out quickly. I’ve given up on replacing the blue feed sleeve and use Tesa tape on the feed roller.

If you want to do semi-slitting make sure you get a Rollem that can do semi-slitting, not all are equipped to perform semi-slitting. The semi-slitters will have a heavy cross bar across the top to hold the slitters. You can normally find some good deals on used Rollem machines and they are well worth the money. They’re well build machines, the only thing I don’t like about Rollem is the scoring heads. I replaced the Rollem scoring heads with Tri-Creasers and the score if much better and very similar to a channel crease.

 

[PricelineNegotiator]

I have a Rollem Auto4 in mint condition I am looking to sell. Has almost no sheets through it. DM me if interested. Sorry to crash thread.