A paper folder is a welcome addition to
any office. While buying a paper folding machine may seem frivolous
(after all, can't your employees fold your correspondence and
invoices?), it can actually be a wise business decision.Having a machine do your office's busy work can
free up your employees so they can do more productive things, thus
saving you money in the long run.Here are three questions to ask yourself before buying a paper folder.
A paper folder is a welcome addition to
any office. While buying a paper folding machine may seem frivolous
(after all, can't your employees fold your correspondence and
invoices?), it can actually be a wise business decision. Having a
machine do your office's busy work can free up your employees so they
can do more productive things, thus saving you money in the long run.
But buying a paper folder is a big decision and there are a few things
you need to know before shelling out the dough. Here are three
questions to ask yourself before buying a paper folder.
"What am I going to be folding?" The first thing
to think about is what you will be folding and how pieces you will need
to fold. We are not talking about whether you will be folding invoices
instead of brochures. What we mean is what kind of paper will you be
working with? All paper folders can handle the standard 20 lb. paper
most businesses use every day. However, if you are working with thinner
or thicker paper, such as cardstock, you will want to make sure the
machine can handle it. You will also need to consider the paper's
finish. Is it matte or glossy? Just about any folder will work well
with matte paper, but really glossy stocks may need to be folded with a
pneumatic (air-powered) folder. Also, you need to consider the size of
the paper, as well as how many sheets you will be folding. Many of the
medium- to high-volume paper folders can not only handle a lot of
sheets, they can accommodate paper larger than the typical 8.5 x 11"
size. Finally, when it comes to speed, consider the machine's
sheets-per-minute rating. This will give you an idea of how fast the
machine can fold.
"What type of fold do I want?" If
you're familiar with the Japanese art of origami, you probably already
know that there are many, many ways to fold a simple sheet of paper.
While paper folding machines don't usually crank out paper cranes,
they're capable of doing both simple folds and more complex ones. The
most common folds are the C-fold (also known as a letter fold) and
Z-fold (the accordion fold). These are the folds most often use for
business correspondence, so you'll definitely want a machine that can
perform these folds. (Luckily, almost all machines can do these folds.)
If you want fancier folds, a higher-end machine will be necessary. You
might want to consider getting a folder that offers digital plate fold
adjustment if this is the case. It will make adjusting the folder and
changing folding styles a whole lot easier.
"How much should I spend?"
Finally, price is important. You'll want to get the best machine you
can for the money. Paper-folding is an arduous, time-consuming task,
especially when performed by humans. Think of your future paper folder
as a new employee: you want the best performance for the most
reasonable price - not necessarily the lowest. Buying a lower-end
machine may lead to frustration and lost productivity due to jams and
misfeeds. Be sure to shop wisely and remember that you get what you pay
for.
These are the three questions you should ask yourself before buying a
paper folder. Once you know the answers, you'll be well-equipped to
choose a paper folder that's ideal for both your company and your
budget.
If you are looking for a great price on a Paper Folding Machine you should really check out MyBinding.com. They have awesome prices on paper folding machines and Paper Handling Equipment.
Choose from Paper Folding Machines from a number of manufacturers
including Dynafold, MBM, Intimus, Formax and Martin Yale. Check them
out for yourself and choose a paper folder for your business.
