My method is very similar (even to using the same printer), except that I staple first and then fold. I've got the paper guide on my long-arm stapler carefully set so that the staples enter precisely at the midpoint of the booklet (8.5" in my case, as I use 11"x17" paper for booklets). Folding is much easier when the part is already stapled, and I'm very picky about the precision of the fold (BTW, at one time I used 3 staples per booklet, but have found that 2 staples, placed appr. 1.75" from the top and bottom edges, are far superior).
I use this format for most parts, and reduced scores up to 36 pages (9 sheets of heavyweight 105 g/m2 paper, plus a heavy stock cover, which is about the limit my stapler can handle). As you mention, a heavy duty precision rotary trimmer is a must, though I find that trimming isn't really necessary until the part reaches maybe 16 pages, as page creep isn't particularly objectionable on smaller parts. Most of my full scores are 11"x14", which I bind myself using an Akiles Coil-Mac and a supply of 36" plastic coils; so far, 3 different sizes of coils (8mm, 10mm, and 12mm) have been adequate to handle all my scores from smallest to largest (140+ pages -- no operas yet). There are several advantages to investing in the equipment to bind your scores yourself instead of taking them to a place like Kinko's, not the least of which is that they typically only carry 12" coils -- not ideal for larger conductor's scores. For other reasons not to go to Kinko's, fill in your favorite horror story here: _____________ (everyone who's been to a Kinko's has one). I am intrigued by your method of stapling, as my stapler (like many) turns back the legs of the staple so they're curved, and I'd really prefer them to be flat against the paper. Or I could look into a heavy duty saddle stapler, but they tend to be kind of expensive (starting at $150-$200). One other tip on folding: to ensure that a part lays flat on a music stand, it's critical to fold and crease the pages in the opposite direction to the original fold. I also go through the part page by page and crease each fold. Lee Actor Composer-in-Residence and Assistant Conductor, Palo Alto Philharmonic Assistant Conductor, Nova Vista Symphony http://www.leeactor.com > > I wonder whether there would be interest to start a discussion about > printing, binding and finishing scores and parts. > > Just to start this let me describe what I typically do. > > I have a HP 5000 printer, so I can print large sheets pretty easily. So > I prepare all my scores and parts as PDF booklets (I use CocoaBooklet, > but I believe this would even work through Acrobat itself, it is just > easier using this Mac Application). > > I fold the sheets over. I have started to do this in bunches of four. > I'd love to hear how others do this. I use my paper cutter as an > alignment tool. > > I then staple using a long arm stapler, and I have recently modified it, > so that the staples are not bent but instead go through the paper and > two holes in the stapler (which I drilled), then I bend them over > myself. This works much better in my experience, especially with thicker > booklets. > > Eventually I trim the front. I just bought a rather big and sturdy paper > cutter for this purpose. If I don't do this, in addition to the > unprofessional look, page turns can become difficult at times. > > I'd love to hear from others about some tips they have accumulated over > the years. I am especially interested hearing about better methods to > fold the sheets. > > Johannes > _______________________________________________ > Finale mailing list > [email protected] > http://lists.shsu.edu/mailman/listinfo/finale > _______________________________________________ Finale mailing list [email protected] http://lists.shsu.edu/mailman/listinfo/finale
