You’ll be hard pressed to find someone that says the economy is booming right now. Most businesses and individuals are strapped for cash and trying to squeeze as much as they can out of their budgets. While I understand budgets only allow for so much, there is one piece of office equipment you shouldn’t be cheap with…paper folding machines. I’ll explain why.

I recently had a conversation with a customer who had a broken MBM 87M paper folding machine. They were looking at possibly buying the replacement model, the MBM 93M. They asked me if improvements had been made to make it better and fix previous issues. I was a little taken aback. The MBM 87M was considered to be a decent machine and had a great track record. I decided to ask a few questions.

QUESTION: What type of fold are you creating?

ANSWER: We create a letter fold. This is being used at a university.

I thought to myself, “No problem here.” The 87M was perfect for creating letter folds. I decided to ask another question.

QUESTION: How many sheets do you typically fold in a day?

ANSWER: We will sometimes fold 3,000 to 5,000 sheets a day and then nothing for the rest of the month.

It was then that I discovered the problem. While the 87M was a good machine, it was never intended to fold that many sheets a day. The 87M, a machine that only cost a few hundred dollars, was designed to fold a few hundred sheets a day. Folding 3,000 to 5,000 on the 87M in a single day was like using a 1970 AMC Gremlin to race in a Grand Prix.

I went on to explain that they would probably experience the same issues with the MBM 93M. They informed me that their university was cash strapped and they couldn’t afford much more.  I went on to explain that they needed to at least go with a folding machine like the Intelli-Fold DE-102AF. This folding machine, while not designed for high-volume paper folding, can handle a few thousand sheets in a day every so often without breaking down.

I can’t begin to stress enough how important it is to get a good paper folding machine. Trying to stretch a budget, and go with a cheaper product, will almost always lead to frustration and a short-lived machine.

If you are strapped for cash, and need to find a good machine for your money, please feel free to call us at 1-800-658-8788 and speak with one of our paper folding machine specialists. They are skilled and able to answer your folding machine questions and point you in the right direction. We want to provide you with a machine that is designed to hold up for years, not months.

You can find our entire selection of paper folding machines here.

If you own a paper folding machine, or would like to know how one works, you have come to the right spot. I have 11 years experience using folding machines, both friction and air-suction styles. About a week ago I got an opportunity to use an Intelli-Fold DE-172AF and film it. As part of this video demo, I set up an created each of the 6 most common paper folds. This includes the single fold, letter fold, Z fold, double parallel fold, gate fold and half accordion fold.

Creating folds on a paper folding machine is remarkably easy and saves an amazing amount of time. Folds created on a folding machine are far more accurate, aligned and professional. I also appreciate the lack of paper cuts.

Here is a visual representation of each of these folds:

In the video demo, I go through how to set up each of the folding plates for these types of folds. I have found that once you know how to use one paper folding machine, they are all very similar in setup and operation.

This is a video demo of 6 common folds being created on a paper folding machine:

The Intelli-Fold DE-172AF is a manually setup paper folding machine. This means that each of the folding plates have to be set up by hand. This involves loosening the strike plates and sliding them to the appropriate position and re-tightening them. I have found that this only takes about 30-60 seconds. Folds are clearly marked on the folding plates.

Once you know how to use the DE-172AF, you shouldn’t have a problem using other folding machines like the Dahle 10560, MBM 93M, Martin Yale 1217A and any other machine that uses manually adjustable folding plates.

One feature that I really like about the DE-172AF is the powered exit conveyor. This conveyor helps to slow down paper as it leaves the machine and also helps to keep paper neatly organized and stacked. This, in my opinion, is a nice advantage over other machines that simply spit the paper out into a catch tray. This is also nice for keeping paper in alphabetical order.

So who uses a paper folding machine? Many businesses use them for mailing purposes. I have also seen many people use them to fold brochures, booklets, fliers and promotional material.

At ABC Office we currently over 45 different friction-feed machines. You can find our entire selection of paper folding machines here.

Because we literally have over 30 years experience (company was created in 1980), we have some of the best-trained and skilled paper folding specialists available. Please feel free to call one of them at 1-800-658-8788 with any folding machine questions.

Paper folding machines really find their place in copy centers, schools, non-profit organizations, churches and businesses. If you need to fold paper as large as 11″ x 17″, menus, brochures, pamphlets and other material, you are going to love the Intelli-Fold DE-172AF. This versatile paper folding machine is quickly becoming a customer favorite. There are many reasons for this. I have personally used this machine and this is my review.

The DE-172AF is especially an upgraded Intelli-Fold DE-202AF or an upgraded Dynafold DE-202AF. It is essentially the same machine as the DE-202AF except the DE-172AF features the addition of an extremely useful exit conveyor. This powered exit conveyor helps slow and control paper as it exits the machine. This process also helps to stack paper as it exits the machine. A powered exit conveyor is nice for any folding job, but is especially nice for invoices, bills, statements and other material that needs to be kept in order.

The Intelli-Fold DE-172AF (by Intelli-Zone) may be one of the best 11″ x 17″ paper folding machines around. It is certainly one of the most affordable. While it can easily handle larger 11″ x 17″ paper, it can also be used to handle paper as small as 3.5″ x 5″. This makes the DE-172AF extremely versatile. Acceptable paper thicknesses range from 16# up to 24#. This is about the thickness of a sheet of copy paper.

Setting up the DE-172AF is extremely easy. It uses a series of 2 folding plates to complete the job. Both plates need to be manually set prior to folding. Folds, based on the paper size, are clearly marked on the folding plates. While the plates are manually adjusted, they are really easy to handle. I can personally adjust the plates in less than a minute.

Unlike many folding machines in this price range, the DE-172AF does not require paper to be pre fanned prior to being placed in the machine. Simply make sure the paper is squared up and put it in the machine. Because the DE-172AF can hold up to 500 sheets of paper, it doesn’t require much babysitting. Paper feeding is extremely smooth, accurate and aligned.

Having used this myself, I can tell you that the folded edge of the paper is extremely crisp and professional. Paper doesn’t look like it was manually folded, rather, it looks like it has come right out of a printing press. A variable speed dial lets you easily slow down or speed things up.

Many people ask me about the build quality. This is understandable as a lot of “plastic” folding machines have a bad habit of easily breaking down. The DE-172AF features a high-end build. Much of this machine is made out of metal. Not saying all Chinese stuff is low quality, but I think the fact that the DE-172AF is not made in China really helps iron out the fine wrinkles and electronics that plague other machines.

The DE-172AF can create 6 of the most common folds used today. These folds include:

• Single (Half, V) Fold
• Letter Fold (C Fold)
• Z Fold (Accordion Fold)
• Double Parallel Fold
• Gate Fold
• Half Accordion Fold (Engineering Fold)

Because the folding plates are manually adjusted, it is also very easy to create custom folds on this machine. I personally like using this machine. As long as you aren’t folding heavy card stock, this machine is probably perfect for you. You can find the Intelli-Fold DE-172AF here and our entire selection of paper folding machines here.

Please feel free to contact one of our paper folding machine specialists at 1-800-658-8788 with any questions.

Paper folding machines are remarkable pieces of machinery. They have just one task….to fold paper. That almost sounds too simple. While folding machines do fold paper, they are efficient, meticulous, professional and accurate. They literally save you hours of time and untold amounts of money. One heck of a deal, not to mention a customer favorite, is the Intelli-Fold DE-102AF automatic paper folding machine. I recently had a chance to break it out of its box, set it up in our showroom and play around with it.

The DE-102AF is about the best paper folding machine you can buy for folding standard letter-size paper. It can be used to fold invoices, statements, brochures, pamphlets and more. While it really finds its stride with letter-size paper, it is also a great little machine for folding paper anywhere from 3.5″ x 5″ up to 8.5″ x 14″. As far as paper thickness is concerned, it can handle 16# up to 24#, which is about the thickness of copy paper.

What really impresses me about this machine is the build quality. The fold plates and the bulk majority of the components are made out of metal. The silicon rollers are designed to hold up with continued use and the electronics do a great job. It is easy to maintain, clean and takes just minutes to set up.

This is a video demo of the Intelli-Fold DE-102AF in use:

I can safely say that the Intelli-Fold DE-102AF (formerly known as the Dynafold DE-102AF) will impress you as long as you are aware of the machine’s capabilities. We also offer a great selection of other folding machines (found here) if you need something that handles thicker paper or larger sheet sizes.

You will find the DE-102AF used in churches, schools and many other businesses and organizations. It can be used create the most common folds used today such as letter folds, Z folds, half folds, gate folds and much more.  Feel free to call one of our specialists at 1-800-658-8788 with any questions.

If you’re familiar with paper folding machines, you probably know that they typically use 2 folding plates. Two-plate machine can create common folds like letter folds, Z folds, half folds and more. What if you want to create more than 2 folds in a sheet of paper? You will need to use a 4-plate paper folding machine.

While 4 plate paper folding machines are more rare, they still play an important roll in the folding of paper. A 4-plate machine can create a lot more folds than a standard 2-plate machine. With 4 plates, you can take a large sheet of paper and fold it down into a tightly compact size. While a 2 plate machine typically creates 6-8 common folds, a 4 plate (multi-plate) machine can create up to 16 common folds and multiple custom folds.

Four plate folding machines are typically used to fold instructions down for use in packaging. Have you ever purchased a piece of furniture, an automotive part or opened a box of medicine? These items often include a tightly folded instructional sheet or documentation. These instructions are typically folded down on a 4-plate paper folding machine.

What if you are folding an 8 ½” x 11″ sheet of paper and need it to fit in a box that is only 4″ wide by 5″ long? Many multi-plate folding machines have built in paper scoring wheels. With a 4 plate machine, you can fold the 8 ½” x 11″ sheet of paper down to something that is only 1 or 1 ½” long. This leaves the document at 8 ½” x 1″ in size.

An 8 ½” x 1″ document is too big to fit into a 4″ x 5″ box. For this reason, the built in scoring wheel scores the 8 ½” wide document in half, allowing it to be easily folded in half into something that is 4 ¼” x 1″. That can now fit into your 4″ x 5″ box.

What if you need to create a standard letter fold size, Z fold size or half fold size document? You can disable to of the 4 folding plates, allowing you to treat your 4-plate machine like a 2 plate machine.

Most 4 plate folding machines (aka pharmaceutical folding machines) can handle a wide range of paper. We currently offer two models that can handle paper ranging in size from 2 3/8″ x 2 ¾” up to 11 ¼” x 11 ¾”. Can you imagine taking a 2 3/8″ x 2 ¾” size piece of paper and multi folding it on 4 folding plates? That is small stuff and pretty amazing!

We currently offer two 4 plate folding machines:

Intelli-Fold DF-304C 4 Plate Folding Machine
Intelli-Fold DF-304VC 4 Plate Folding Machine

The biggest difference between these two models is that the DF-304C uses a standard powered conveyor in the exit tray where the DF-304VC uses a powered vertical stacker.

You can find our entire selection of paper folding machines here.

I know this can all be a little confusing, so please feel free to call one of our experts with your questions at 1-800-658-8788. We are more than happy to help you out. Have a great day!

I recently had a customer ask me if Intelli-Fold and Dynafold where the same company. I can understand the confusion. Many (at least 50%) of the Dynafold machines available are duplicate clones (although built to different standards) than Intelli-Fold paper folders. The parts are even interchangeable on most of our models. I personally consider the Intelli-Fold to be a far better value. I’ll explain why.

As I earlier mentioned, many of the Dynafold machines are clones of Intelli-Fold machines. Here are a few examples:

Intelli-Fold DE-102AF – Dynafold Clone Model: DE-102AF
Intelli-Fold DE-202AF – Dynafold Clone Model: DE-202AF
Intelli-Fold DE-322AF – Dynafold Clone Model: DE-322AF

So why should you consider an Intelli-Fold over a Dynafold? I’ll give you a few good reasons.

• Support – At ABC Office we back up and support every Intelli-Fold paper folder we sell. We can service them, provide you with replacement parts and give you customer support on every model. If you have an issue, call our Service Department at 1-800-658-8788 x129. We are literally more than happy to help you out!
• Quality - While the Dynafold machines and Intelli-Fold machines are visually identical, don’t be tricked into thinking they are the same thing. I’ll be blunt. Dynafold has moved operations to China, which I can only assume is to save money. Intelli-Fold paper folders are still made in the original plant where the classic Dynafold machines used to be built. Intelli-Fold machines, in my opinion, are built to higher-quality standards.
• Decor – Our line of Intelli-Fold paper folding machines use an office-friendly color scheme where many Dynafold machines use a circa 1970s brown and orange color layout.
• Price – Intelli-Fold paper folding machines, built to the highest quality standards, are available to you at a lower price than the Dynafold counterparts. Why pay more when you can get something better for less?

So there you have it! Several good reasons why you should buy and Intelli-Fold paper folding machine over a Dynafold paper folding machine. You can find our entire selection of Intelli-Fold paper folding machines here and all our paper folding machines here.

Feel free to call us at 1-800-658-8788 to speak with one of our paper folder specialists. They should be able to answer all your questions.

Have you ever wondered how those tiny little instructional sheets get folded up prior to placement in a bottle or box? This is done using a special type of machine commonly referred to as a pharmaceutical folding machine. As a kid, when assembling a new bicycle or other toy, I actually thought people manually folded those tiny instructions. As an adult, I realize that highly complex machines are used to do the job. If your business or manufacturing plant needs a machine, consider using the Intelli-Fold DEF-304VC pharmaceutical folding machine with vertical stacker. This is my review.

Most paper folding machines utilize two folding plates to create anything from a letter fold to an engineering fold. Machines with two folding plates are limited to 2 total creases the folded document. Additional folds can be created, on some machines, by running the material through twice.

Pharmaceutical folding machines have 4 folding plates. This dramatically increases the folding possibilities. The folding process, created by 4-plate machines, is often referred to as miniature folding or mini folding. This is because these machines can take a larger sheet of paper and fold it down into something small for placement in tight places or small packages. This includes pharmaceutical bottles and packaging.

While many standard folding machines create 6-8 common fold jobs out of the box, the Intelli-Fold DF-304VC can create 16 common folds along with a wide range of custom folds. You can disable 2 of the 4 plates, however, to create common folds as well.

The Intelli-Fold DF-304VC can take a sheet of paper at fold it down into something that is only 1″ wide. It folded down in another direction by utilizing the built-in scoring wheel. The end results are tiny instructional sheets that can conveniently be placed in a box or bottle.

The DF-304VC literally takes just seconds to complete a folding operation, versus minutes that it would take someone to manually do the same job. The motor on the DF-304VC runs at a whopping speed of 12,000 sheets per hour. To the best of my knowledge, there are no other 4-plate pharmaceutical folding machines capable of running at those speeds.

Each of the four folding plates is manually adjusted. It only takes about 30-60 seconds to adjust each plate (by a trained individual), making setup pretty fast. Once set, up to 500 sheets of 20# paper can be placed in the tray and the machine can be turned on. A friction roller is used to pull in paper and fold it. It can even be set up for batch folding purposes.

The Intelli-Fold DF-304VC uses a vertical stacker to take folded paper and tightly stack it for organizational purposes. The stacker is pretty impressive and far more efficient than a traditional exit conveyor. Be aware that the vertical stacker, with its own independent motor, must be turned on prior to turning on the folding machine itself.

One thing that really impresses me about the DF-304VC is the wide range of paper sizes it accepts. It can take paper ranging in size from 2 3/8″ x 2 3/4″ up to 11 ¼” x 17 3/4″. Again, few other pharmaceutical folding machines can do this.

As is the case with Intelli-Fold folding machines (by Intelli-Zone), the DF-304VC features an excellent build quality. All materials are designed for continuous operation. The folding plates, machine frame and many other components are made out of metal. The blue-gray design looks classy and blends in well with existing office equipment.

If you own a pharmaceutical manufacturing or distribution company, something like the DF-304VC is probably just what you need. This machine is dependable, reliable and available at a great price (considering what it does).

You can find the Intelli-Fold DEF-304VC pharmaceutical folding machine here and our entire selection of paper folding machines here.

Considering this is a family sophisticated machine, you may have questions that this article doesn’t cover. Please feel free to speak with one of our paper folding specialists by calling 1-800-658-8788.

We also offer setup and training on this machine (optional). To check on setup and training rates and availability, please feel free to contact our Service Department by calling 1-800-658-8788 x129 or by filling out this form.

Happy folding!

We are proud to announce the addition of the Intelli-Fold DE-112AF and DE-172AF paper folding machines (from Intelli-Zone) to our site. Both of these machines are perfect for office use and are available to you at an extremely affordable price. Featuring durable metal construction, multiple fold types and easy-to-use controls, we expect these new machines to be a hit with our customers.

For years Intelli-Fold paper folding machines have been popular with our customers. Formerly known as Dynafold, the Intelli-Fold DE-102AF and DE-202AF have been extremely popular for their durability and accuracy. The Intelli-Fold DE-112AF and DE-172AF are slightly updated versions of the popular DE-102AF and DE-202AF.

The DE-112AF is the successor to the DE-102AF. They are both essentially the same machine except the DE-112AF has the addition of a powered output conveyor. The same goes for the DE-172AF (with conveyor) and DE-202AF (no conveyor). A powered conveyor allows both of these machines to fold paper, while keeping organized and in order. This is ideal for businesses that do a lot of mailing or need to keep documents in alphabetical or numerical order.

We are very excited about these two new machines. Both are made from solid metal construction and are designed from the ground up to be used continuously throughout the day. You can find both of these machines here:

• Intelli-Fold DE-112AF
• Intelli-Fold DE-172AF

These machines are in stock and ready to ship today. If you have any questions, or would like to see one demonstrated online via your Web browser, please feel free to call us at 1-800-658-8788. You can find our entire selection of paper folding machines here.

Getting a nice paper folder can be tough, especially for businesses that are strapped for money. Having used dozens of different models of machines, I can attest to the fact that higher end paper folding machines tend to hold up better, get the job done faster and produce more professional results. So how do you get a nice paper folding machine for less?

I can’t even begin to tell you how many times people have called us, after having ordered a $300 folding machine, when really they needed a $2,000 machine. Using a cheap “low end” folding machine for thousands of documents per day simply doesn’t cut it. It’s like trying to travel dozens of miles to work on a bicycle.

The only problem is that not everyone has $3,000+ to spend on a high-end paper folding machine. What if you could get you a $3,000-$4,000 folding machine for less than $1,000-$2,000? That’s essentially what you get with Intelli-Fold paper folding machines. The best thing….you aren’t loosing quality with the lower price.

A while back, Dynafold decided to cut costs (and quality) by moving their operations to China. Seeing the opportunity, Intelli-Zone decided to continue the “Dynafold” quality by building paper folding machines in the same factories that Dynafold previously used years earlier. The end result is a high-quality folding machine.

To date, there are about 7 different Intelli-Fold paper folding machines. This number will increase by about 5 new machines in the next few months. You can keep tabs on current (and future) Intelli-Fold paper folding machines here.

Why purchase an Intelli-Fold folding machine? Well….it all boils down to quality. Many “cheap” paper folding machines utilize cheap gears, belts and components that cause the machines to slip, lag and jam. Intelli-Fold machines use a time-tested manufacturing process that produces high-quality machines. Apart from the IF300, most Intelli-Fold paper folding machines are made from metal components.

Here are some of our best Intelli-Fold folding machine deals:

• Intelli-Fold DE-102AF
• Intelli-Fold DE-202AF
• Intelli-Fold DE-322AF
• Intelli-Fold DE-302AF

All four of these machines have proven themselves time and time again to produce absolutely professional results. Registry is accurate, setup is easy and jams are extremely rare. To be honest, there are few comparable folding machines that equal the value you find in Intelli-Fold.

Stop hassling with cheap folding machines and get something that will last you for years. That’s my professional advice on paper folders. You can find our entire selection of paper folding machines here.

Are you looking for a paper folding machine and have been considering a DE-102AF, a DE-202AF or a DE-322AF? Before you consider getting a Dynafold, I highly recommend you consider the Intelli-Fold line of folding machines from Intelli-Zone. There are several reasons for this.

To begin with, Dynafold paper folders have been around for some time and have established a great reputation. While currently available Dynafold paper folders have since moved manufacturing plants (perhaps in an effort to save on building costs), Intelli-Fold paper folders are still made in the original manufacturing plants using the same high-quality process.

If cost is an issue, you may want to consider the Intelli-Fold line. Intelli-Fold paper folders almost always cost less than Dynafold paper folding machines.

Dynafold and Intelli-Fold paper folders are so similar that parts can actually be swapped between models. Here is a quick guide to help you determine the Intelli-Fold equivalent of a Dynafold folding machine.

Dynafold to Intelli-Fold Guide

Dynafold DE-102AF –> Intelli-Fold DE-102AF
Dynafold DE-202AF –> Intelli-Fold DE-202AF
Dynafold DE-322AF –> Intelli-Fold DE-322AF
Dynafold DE-262AF –> Intelli-Fold DE-262AF
Dynafold DE-302AF –> Intelli-Fold DE-302AF
Dynafold DE-8 –> Intelli-Fold DE-8

Intelli-Fold paper folding machines are customer favorites and some of our best-selling paper folding machines. The build quality is excellent, they have a great track record and folds continue to be clean, crisp and extremely professional.

I personally recommend using Intelli-Fold for all your folding needs. They can be used to create letter folds, accordion folds, single folds and a wide variety of custom folds. These machines are easy to setup and should easily last you for years to come.

You can find our entire line of Intelli-Fold paper folding machines here.