What a friction feeder is for
A friction feeder pulls one piece at a time off the bottom of a stack and hands it to whatever comes next: an inkjet base, a folder, a tabber, a conveyor, a shrink wrapper. The reason shops call about friction feeders is almost always a product the standard feeder will not take. Streamfeeder builds the V-710SS and the P-Series for exactly that problem, and the setup question is answered by sending us the piece rather than by reading a specification sheet. Mid-State Litho quotes every feeder on this page against the actual product you need to run.
How to choose a feeder
Feeders are quoted rather than priced because the machine is selected against the piece it has to move, not against a category. Four questions decide it, and having the answers ready shortens the quote to a phone call.
What is the piece? Flat sheets, folded pieces, booklets, envelopes, cartons, and polybagged items all behave differently on a feed belt. A friction feeder handles most flat and semi flat work. A vacuum feeder handles stock that a friction belt cannot grip or would mark. Streamfeeder builds the friction line, and the Plockmatic VFX is the vacuum answer.
What is it feeding into? A stand alone feeder that hands off to a conveyor is a different specification from one integrated into a folder or a bookletmaker. The Baumfolder 20 ICF and 20 IPF are built to feed folders. The Horizon HOF-400 and HSF-50 feed Horizon finishing lines. The Streamfeeder V-1400IJ and V-900IJ are built to feed inkjet addressing.
How deep is the pile, and does the operator want to walk away? A deep pile feeder runs unattended longer. The Baumfolder 20 IPF is the independent deep pile version of the 20 ICF for that reason. If someone is standing at the machine anyway, the shallower feeder is the cheaper answer.
Does the job need reading or verification? Barcode reading, integrity checking, and sequence verification are options, not defaults. If the mail piece has to be provably correct, say so at quote time, because it changes the machine.
Send us a sample of the piece. That is the fastest path to a real quote on any feeder here, and it is the only way to be certain a feeder will run your stock before you buy it.
Streamfeeder
Streamfeeder is the friction line and the one to start with. The catalog covers the C-1250, the P-Series friction feeders, the Reliant 1500, the V-1400IJ continuous feeder, the V-710BC and V-710BC-EX, the V-710SS friction feeder, and the V-900IJ inkjet feeder. The P-Series and the V-710SS are the two built for non standard product, which is why they answer most custom feeding questions. See the Streamfeeder collection for the brand range and model detail.
Baumfolder
Baumfolder builds feeders sized to feed Baumfolder folders: the 20 ICF independent continuous feeder, the 20 IPF independent deep pile feeder, the 20 IPFSS, and the 20 independent pile feeder. The deep pile versions are the ones to specify when the operator needs to load and walk away. See paper folders and commercial automatic folders for the machines these feed.
Horizon
Horizon feeders are built into Horizon finishing lines rather than run standalone. The HOF-400 is a high speed offline feeder and the HSF-50 is a high speed sheet feeder. See collating and bookletmakers and saddlestitching for the lines they feed.
Plockmatic and Morgana
Plockmatic and Morgana cover the vacuum feeding answer. The VFL feeder and the VFX are the two units in this catalog. Vacuum is what you buy when the stock is coated, slick, heavy, or would mark under a friction belt, and it is worth specifying early because it changes the machine rather than the accessory list.
Straight Shooter
Straight Shooter builds the R-12D demand feeder and the R-Series feeders. A demand feeder releases a piece when the downstream machine asks for one rather than running continuously, which is the right behaviour when the receiving machine sets the pace.
Rena
Rena builds the EASYFeed 140 for mailing work, feeding addressing and inserting equipment. See mailing equipment for the rest of that lane, and continuous feed for roll-fed handling.
Graphic Whizard
Graphic Whizard builds the PT330PF feed unit for the PT finishing line. It is the feeder to specify when the receiving machine is already a PT.
## Frequently Asked Questions - Universal Paper Feeders **What is the difference between a friction feeder and a vacuum feeder?** A friction feeder uses rubber rollers to advance sheets through light contact - ideal for standard coated and uncoated stocks, envelopes, and everyday production work. A vacuum feeder uses suction to individually lift sheets without physical contact, protecting delicate, specialty, or thick substrates from marking or double-feeding. Mid-State Litho carries both types: StreamFeeder and Straight Shooter for friction, Morgana VFX/VFL for vacuum, and dual-mode systems that handle both. **What brands of universal paper feeders does Mid-State Litho carry?** Mid-State Litho stocks universal feeders from StreamFeeder, Morgana, Baum, Straight Shooter, Rena, Standard Horizon, and Graphic Whizard - one of the broadest feeder selections available from a single dealer. **Can a universal paper feeder integrate with my existing digital press or finishing equipment?** Most universal feeders are designed with standard output heights and interface options that integrate with common digital presses, addressing machines, folders, bookletmakers, and other finishing equipment. Compatibility depends on your substrate type, throughput speed, and input/output configuration. [Contact Mid-State Litho](/pages/contact) for a consultation. **What substrates can universal paper feeders handle?** Universal feeders handle a wide range of substrates depending on the model. Friction feeders handle standard cut sheets, envelopes, card stock, and coated paper. Vacuum feeders handle heavier board, foil sheets, laminated stock, and specialty media that friction rollers may mark or double-feed. Some dual-mode systems handle substrates from 60gsm to 400gsm+ in a single feeder. Call Mid-State Litho to discuss your specific requirements. **Does Mid-State Litho offer service and support for paper feeders after purchase?** Yes. Mid-State Litho provides factory-trained on-site service across Michigan and the Great Lakes region for the feeder brands we sell. We stock replacement parts and can source OEM components for StreamFeeder, Morgana, Baum, Rena, Straight Shooter, Standard Horizon, and Graphic Whizard feeders. Call 810-238-7370 or visit our [Service and Support](/pages/service) page to schedule service.Can a friction feeder run my product?
Usually, and the way to be certain is to send us the piece. Streamfeeder builds the P-Series and V-710SS specifically for non standard products, and setup is specified against the actual item rather than from a specification sheet.
Why are there no prices on this page?
Feeders are configured to the product being fed and to the machine receiving it, so the price depends on the setup. Every feeder here is quoted. Send a sample or a description of the job and we will quote the machine and the freight together. Contact us to start that, and ask about financing and leasing, since a feeder is usually bought alongside the machine it feeds.