So what is this thing pictured above, anyway?
A true workhorse in the bindery, this manual contraption has been going strong for an untold number of years. While there is no information on the piece to date it, the instruction panel on the underside does include “celluloid” as one of the materials that can be processed by it! To my knowledge, it has also never needed any major maintenance or parts replacement, and is still used in our shop today for small jobs… no internet or digital hookup needed. Heck, there’s not even any electricity needed – just a strong arm!
This is a manual corner cutter or rounder. Less expensive than a custom die cut, rounded corners can add some style to business cards, invitations or other print pieces by smoothly rounding off the corners after printing. This machine can be set for different degrees of roundness. On small quantities of a quick turnaround job, it is still earning its keep today in our bindery. In some cases, hand-finishing print is still the way to go!
This particular model, which has no doubt paid for itself many times over through the years, is a Lassco “CorneRounder®”. Lassco-Wizer in Rochester, NY is still in the business of making quality industrial bindery tools like drills, paper joggers, perf-score-numbering equipment, staplers and press equipment. New models of their corner rounding machinery operate pneumatically on large quantities, yet they still produce a manual model very similar to this one above – though it appears to have a few more plastic parts these days.
True quality design and construction stand the test of time.
Strive to buy your print locally! A community printer will understand communication and design, with a special emphasis on your local market. They should be able to provide you with the latest information, inspiration, technical advice, and innovative ideas for communicating your message through print, design and typography, signage, apparel, variable data printing and direct mail, integrated marketing and environmental responsible printing with FSC certified products. If they can’t, you have the wrong printer! The best advice, always, is to ASK YOUR PRINTER!
