Paper folding machines are commonly used by all types of organizations. You might a paper folder in a corporate mail room, a government office, a school, a church or a print shop. All of these organizations process large numbers of documents and can greatly benefit from the assistance of a folding machine. However, each of these types of organizations has a special set of needs that need to be considered when choosing a paper folding machine. This article is designed to provide a list of five things that Churches need to consider when choosing a paper folding machine.
1. What types of folds do you need to produce? This is the first and most important question that you need to consider when choosing a paper folding machine. In general, most churches will need to fold their church bulletin and letters to congregation members. Generally, this means that they need to choose a paper folder that can do a z fold and half fold. However, some churches fold large format documents, legal sized church bulletins, tri-fold brochures or other materials. It is important that before you go shopping for a folding machine that you know what types of folds that you will need it to do.
2. How much folding are you going to need to do? This is an important question to ask when choosing a paper folder. More than likely the paper folder will be used to fold Church bulletins more than any other type of document. Ask yourself, "how many bulletins do we print each week?" If you are going to need to fold hundreds of bulletins every week you are going to want to make sure that you buy a paper folder that will hold up over time.
3. How often are you going to need to change folds? I know a lot of churches that very rarely ever change the settings on their folding machine. They use the folder for their weekly bulletins and nothing else. For these churches, a heavy duty paper folder with folding plates that are adjusted manually is ideal. However, other churches are constantly changing the settings on their folder to produce different types of documents (think back to question one). If you plan on folding lots of different types of documents or are going to need to change the fold settings more than once a week it would be a really good idea to get a folder that has either easy to adjust fold plates or is completely digital.
4. What types of papers are you going to need to fold? If you are going to need to fold heavy duty card stocks or glossy papers with your folding machine you are going to want to make sure that the folder can handle it. Many paper folders are not capable of handling heavy or coated paper stocks. In fact, even expensive folders often require card stock to be pre scored before being run. It is always a good idea to have your special papers tested in the paperfolder of your choice before you make your purchase. That way you will know for sure if they will work or not.
5. What sizes of papers are you going to need to fold? Again, it is important to try to anticipate the different types of documents that you are going to need to fold. If you think that you will need to make brochures out of 11" x 17" paper it is important to choose a folding machine that can handle this size of paper. Likewise, if the Church uses legal sized bulletins you will need a paper folder that can handle legal sized paper. Generally if you choose a folder that can handle 11" x 17" or larger paper then it will be able to handle all of the smaller sizes as well.
By asking yourself these five questions you should be able to focus your search for the right paper folding machine. Unfortunately, most churches end up settling on a paper folder that is not adequate for their needs and they usually regret it. Keep in mind that most paper folders that will stand up to the volume of folding that churches do will cost between $1200 - $3000 depending on the features that you require.
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