Paper folders save time and money by quickly folding hundreds of sheets of paper in just minutes. Paper folders range from small units that sit on top of a desk to pneumatic (air powered) industrial paper folders. Paper folders are remarkably easy to set up and use and will pay themselves off quickly in time and labor saved. You will want to ask yourself a couple of questions before purchasing a paper folder.
How many sheets of paper will you fold per day?
Paper folders greatly vary in size and price depending on the amount of paper you will fold per day. You will want to be sure you get a paper folder that will fold the quantity you require. It is always disappointing to get a machine only to find out later it won’t meet your requirements.
Most paper folders will give you a motor speed rating, usually worded "sheets per minute." Sheets per minute is the speed rating of the motor itself and not necessarily a rating on how many sheets it can fold in a day.
It is not recommended to run a paper folder at top speed for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You will want to be sure and check on the duty cycle of the paper folder. The duty cycle is the actual amount of paper folds a machine can do in a day, week or month.
How thick is the paper you will be folding?
All paper folders can handle standard 20# copy paper, but not all paper folders can handle card stock or extra-thin paper. You will want to check in the "specifications" table of the paper folder to find out exactly how thick a sheet of paper it can fold.
What type of paper will you be folding?
Paper ranges in finish from matte to glossy. Friction feed paper folders, which use a rubber roller to pull in the paper, do not handle extra-glossy paper well and can jam. Pneumatic (air-powered) paper folders are designed to handle glossy paper. If you are not sure if your paper will work, feel free to send us a sample of the paper and we will test it prior to you making a purchase.
How large is the paper you will be folding?
Most people fold 8 ½ x 11-inch paper, but some need to fold larger paper, such as an 11 x 17-inch piece of paper. Many medium to high-volume paper folders can handle larger-sized paper. Be sure to check the specifications of the paper folder you’re looking at to determine exactly what the paper size range is.
What kind of folds would you like to create?
Most people like to create a letter fold (C fold) or an accordion fold (Z fold). A single fold is also very common. Most paper folders can create these three common folds. If you need to create a less common fold, such as a baronial or gate fold, be sure to check the paper folder’s specifications to see if this is a possibility.
Are there any additional accessories or supplies?
Roller Cleaner Rejuvenator - Roller cleaners are used to quickly clean the rubber rollers found in a paper folder. This helps to cut down on leftover ink and dust that can cause paper jams. The cleaner rejuvenator can also help prevent cracks and keep the rollers moisturized. Never use other chemical cleaners or rubbing alcohol to clean your paper folder’s rollers.
Static Eliminator - Static eliminator is a spray that can be applied to various components of a paper folder to help cut down on static electricity. Static electricity can cause sheets to stick together and cause paper jams.
Paper Counter - Some people like to count the paper they are folding. This can be for a variety of reasons. We sell several third-party counters that can be used with paper folders that don’t already include a paper counter.
