Paper Folder / Letter Folder Buyer's Guide
Reasons to use a paper folder
Paper folders save businesses time and money by increasing productivity and reducing the labor hours spent folding statements, invoices and correspondence. Paper folders are simple to use and to operate. Paper folders are able to fold anywhere from 4,000 to 115,000 sheets per hour depending on the machine. A good employee might get through 1800 in an hour.
Benefits of paper folders include:
- Increase the number of sheets folded per hour.
- Save time.
- Increase productivity by freeing employees to work on other tasks.
- Reduce mental fatigue and paper cuts.
- Increase or customize the types of folds you can use.
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Considerations when purchasing a paper folder:
What type of paper will be used?
There are various types of weights, styles, and gauges of paper; such as, thick, thin or glossy. Paper folders perform various functions that aren't compatible with certain types of paper. Be sure the paper folder you are considering will accommodate the type of paper you use.
How frequent will the paper folder be used?
Some models of paper folders are heavy-duty units built to be used continually. Others are only meant for light, occasional use. If your company distributes mass mailings then select a folder that will work with the volume you fold. Conversely, if your office sends out a small load of letters, then it's prudent to choose a light volume machine.
What are your space or mobility considerations?
Do you need a personal paper folder for your private office, or do you need a large paper folder for whole departments to use? There are desktop sized paper folders that are easy to position or move from place to place. Larger, heavy-duty folders require a tabletop. If you need a large paper folder to share between departments, consider a model with a wheeled work station for easy mobility.
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What types of paper folders are available?
Manual setup, auto-feed paper folders
Manual setup/auto-feed paper folders are intended for medium to high-volume paper folding. These types of folders use friction rollers to self-feed the paper from the feed tray and then fold it. The user need only set the folding plates to the desired settings and load the paper into the feeder.
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Manual semi-automatic setup, auto-feed paper folders
Manual semi-automatic setup/auto-feed paper folders are typically used for medium to high volume paper folding. These paper folders use friction rollers that automatically feed the paper from the feed tray into the rollers and fold it. Since this model is semi-automatic, the user does not need to manually adjust folding plates, instead you just turn dials to set or adjust the paper fold.
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Auto setup, auto-feed paper folders
The auto-setup/auto-feed paper folders are used for medium-to-high-volume paper folding. These paper folders use friction rollers that self-feed the paper from the feed tray and fold it. The paper folder auto-adjusts to the style of fold you select.
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Air or suction-feed paper folders
Air or suction-fed paper folders are for designed for medium to high volume paper folding. Air or suction-feed folders use air to float the sheets of paper into the machine. These folders are ideal for glossy paper, whereas friction folders tend to tear and bunch the slick paper. Air or suction-fed folders can also accommodate most other types of paper stocks.
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Paper folders / envelope inserters
Paper folders w/envelope inserters are a good choice for office that send out mass mailings, like statements or invoices. The folder w/envelope inserter does exactly what the name implies - folds a document then inserts it into an envelope. They are simple to use and fully automatic.
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Folder / Pressure Sealers
Folder / pressure sealers fold special self-adhering, pressure sensitive paper into mailers such as advertisements, flyers, brochures and invoices. Common types of folds made by pressure sealers are the C, Z and half fold. Since sealers use pressure sensitive form paper it folds and finishes mailers more rapidly than conventional folder inserters.
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Different types of paper folds
Single (Half, V) fold |
Letter (C) fold |
Z (Accordion) fold |
Double Parallel
fold |
Cross Fold
(French, Right) fold |
Half Accordion
(Fold-out, Engineering) fold
|
Gate fold |
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Glossary
# — The pound of paper is the thickness of the paper. Different folders can fold different paper weights. All folders can fold 20-pound paper.
Automatic feed — The paper folder automatically pulls paper from a pile rather than having the user manually feed each sheet individually.
Bottom feed — Roller pulls paper from the bottom of the pile rather than the top. This allows you to add more paper while the machine is running.
Catch tray — Several paper folders have a catch tray. The catch tray grabs or catches the folded papers as they come out of the paper folder.
Conveyer belt — Some paper folders have a conveyer belt. The conveyer belt carries folded documents out of the paper folder in an orderly manner.
Fan (fanning) — Fan paper by holding onto a stack of paper with both hands and allowing the stack of paper to slightly angle. Hold the paper and bend it into a “U” or “C” shape. While shuffling one end and holding the other end of the paper, it will fan or angle.
Fold Range — Different folders have different fold ranges. The fold range is the amount and variety of paper sizes a machine can fold.
Folding Plate — What the paper folder uses to fold paper. Some paper folders must have their folding plates manually adjusted by the user while others automatically adjust.
Manual feed — Paper loaded into folder manually one sheet at a time.
Paper tray — Paper is placed in the paper tray before it is folded. Different folder paper trays accept different amounts of paper.
Paper weight — The weight of a paper is its thickness. Different folders can fold different paper weights. All folders can fold 20 pound paper.
Pass — When paper runs through a paper machine one complete time.
Perforate — Some paper folders have a perforating feature. Perforators punch small holes in paper that allow the paper to be torn easily. Bills and checks are typically perforated.
Pound — The pound of paper is the thickness of the paper. Different folders can fold different paper weights. All folders can fold 20 pound paper.
Score — Some paper folders have a scoring feature. Scoring paper leaves a crease that allows documents to be easily folded.
Skew — How well the paper lines up after being folded. Off-skewed documents have the appearance of a crooked fold. Some folders come with precise controls that allow you to adjust the skew.
Slit — Some paper folders have a slitting feature. Slitters look like a pizza cutter and simply cut paper in half.
Stack capacity — The stack capacity of paper is the amount of paper that can be placed into the paper tray.
Top feed — Roller pulls paper from the top of a stack. Most paper folders feature a top feed.
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