In commercial printing, perforating means making a bunch of small holes in paper or cardstock in a straight line. This makes it easy to tear off a part of the printed paper by hand.
These little holes, called perforations, make the paper weaker so that it can be torn apart without needing scissors. Sometimes, the holes are round, and other times, they’re tiny slits. The size of the holes and the space between them decides how hard it is to tear the paper. Some need very little effort (called a micro perf), and others need more (called a macro perf).
Perforations make printed stuff more useful. If you add rows of holes, you can tear off parts of the paper quickly and neatly.
For example, books, notebooks, and checkbooks often have pages that can be torn out easily along a perforated line.
Things like tags and tickets often have a part that you can tear off, and perforations make it easy to do that.
Also, labels and raffle tickets are often made with perforations so that you can tear them into separate pieces. Coupons, response cards, and slips are usually perforated too, so you can easily tear them off.
What does perforation mean in printing?
Perforation in printing is when tiny holes are punched into a printed item like a ticket or voucher. These holes help you tear along a line, making it easier to detach a part of the printout neatly. It can also allow air to escape from folded booklets, preventing the pages from wrinkling.
What is a perforation line?
A perforation line is a series of small holes punched into a printed item, like a ticket or flyer, that allows you to easily tear a part of the print from the rest. This line can run horizontally or vertically and is typically created during the final stages of printing after the item has been cut.
How are perforated lines made?
Perforated lines are made by punching a series of small holes into the print using a tool called a perforating blade. This blade is set at a slight angle, known as a bevel, and is used during the final stage of the printing process.
What is perforation used for in printing?
Perforation in printing is commonly used for items like tickets, invitations, vouchers, and flyers. For tickets, the perforated line allows the stub to be torn off, ensuring the ticket can't be reused. The attendee gets to keep the rest of the ticket as a keepsake. For vouchers, the sales stub is removed to ensure it's used only once. Perforation in flyers and leaflets lets the recipient keep only the key information they need.
How to design perforated items?
Designing perforated items like tickets, vouchers, and flyers requires careful planning. You should design around the perforated line to ensure all text remains legible and the content is cohesive even after the stub has been torn off.
If you have any questions about printing, feel free to reach out to us at 718-928-6888 or submit our quote request form. We’re here to assist you in any way we can.
Take care!
Jeff @ New York Printing Center
