What Is a Booklet Maker & How Is Booklet Creation Done?
June 13, 2025
In a busy print environment, a single misfeed can derail the entire schedule. Folds misalign, staples go astray, and finishing lines gr...
Col-Tec Overseas
In print finishing, confusing collating with gathering can cause more than just frustration. It can halt your production line, create rework, and waste valuable stock. At Col-Tec, we’ve spent over 50 years in global print operations. We have seen firsthand how misunderstandings can lead to extra costs and delays, even on the most organised floors.
So, what is the difference? Collating assembles pages in repeated sequences – 1, 2, 3, repeat – while gathering collects all pages together once, like 1, 2, 3, ready for binding.
Knowing when to collate or gather keeps workflows smooth. It reduces operator errors and helps you choose the right machinery for your tasks.
In this guide, we’ll discuss document collating and gathering and show how they differ. Knowing these terms can help you prevent costly errors in your print process.
In industrial printing, collating is the process of putting together printed sheets in a specific page order for several sets. For instance, if you are producing 500 manuals, collating ensures each manual is printed page 1 through to 20 before starting the next set.
Without this process, operators could face stacks of page 1s and then page 2s, turning the task into a costly, error-prone manual job. This would disrupt your production schedule, increase labour costs, and risk delays for your customers.
Print rooms can handle complex mixed-stock projects with high-performance systems like Col-Tec’s collating machines. We provide systems for art paper, plastics, and heavy stock, and ensure order accuracy from the first set to the last. This reduces human touchpoints, boosts operator safety, and provides precision on tough runs.
For more information, head over to our in-depth blog on What Is a Collator?
Gathering works differently. It involves collecting all the required pages or folded sections – known as signatures – into a complete set once, ready for binding. This method is typical in bookbinding workflows. Gathered sets form the whole book block before stitching or glueing.
Gathering plays a crucial role in many publishing and catalogue projects. It helps manage pre-folded or variable sections that require careful stacking. This is particularly important for heavier stocks, tabbed inserts, or personalisation elements.
Col-Tec’s signature collators are designed for tough challenges. They combine flexible set programming with simple switching between collating and gathering, helping print teams handle different jobs quickly and efficiently.
For more information on the history of collators – including the gathering process in the 15th century – read our blog on The Complete History of Collating.
Both processes aim to assemble documents in order. However, they handle sheets differently, which can affect your production floor in important ways.
Assembles pages in sequence for each set and is the best way to make many copies of manuals, reports, or info packs. Each set is created individually, ensuring they are ready for immediate distribution or binding without manual sorting.
Collects all sections together at once. It is essential for bookbinding, catalogues, or any project that gathers pre-printed or pre-folded sections into a complete set for binding.
Choosing the wrong method can lead to misassembled jobs, rework, and delays. Col-Tec’s custom collators guarantee your setup fits your job needs. This includes pure collating, pure gathering, or a blend of both for complex projects like plastic card packs or mailers.
For over 50 years, Col-Tec has supported the print industry. Our British-engineered, industrial-grade collating systems have been installed throughout the UK and the rest of the world. The machinery is built for challenging production lines. It can be customised to suit your workflows, stock types, and output requirements.
However, choosing the right collating or gathering system is more than just picking a machine. It is also about ensuring your operators, workflows, and quality control can run smoothly and without issues.
If you want to increase your capacity or reduce sorting issues on tough jobs, Col-Tec’s team can help. We provide expert advice to make smart, long-lasting choices, thanks to years of experience in print finishing. Contact Col-Tec to arrange a workflow review or send us your samples when you are ready.
Misunderstanding document collating vs gathering does not just slow down jobs. It can create avoidable rework, stock wastage, and costly errors that ripple across your production floor. When operators know when to collate and gather, they can improve workflows. This approach minimises touchpoints and ensures high output quality at every stage.
At Col-Tec, we know that choosing the proper process is only part of the equation. That is why our team partners with print managers to review job types. Based on these insights, we can recommend the right machinery and configure setups that meet your needs. Best of all, our systems are engineered in Britain, installed worldwide, and designed to keep your line running smoothly.
Call +44 ( 0 ) 1425 627755, explore our collating machines or book a workflow consultation with our team today.
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