Mid-State Litho sells and services commercial paper collating equipment for print shops, binderies, and in-plants across Michigan and the Great Lakes. Collators gather multi-sheet sets for booklets, manuals, NCR sets, and mail pieces so the finishing line is not hand-sorting. We size friction, air-feed, and vacuum towers to your sheet size, set count, and downstream stitch or fold path.
This page covers the collators we list: Standard Horizon VAC suction towers and tabletop collators, Plockmatic and Morgana air-feed/feeder-collators, and MBM friction collating. Related collections: bookletmakers and saddle stitchers, paper folders, bindery finishing, and brand pages for Horizon, Plockmatic, Morgana, and MBM.
To size a collator, we talk through bin count, sheet size, stock (coated vs uncoated), and the downstream machine. We will match feed type to your paper, quote trade-in when an older tower still has life, and install with operator training. Availability varies by SKU. Financing and leasing is available through Mitsubishi HC Capital and LEAF Commercial Capital. Call 1-800-343-4231.
What a collating machine does
A collator holds a stack of pre-printed sheets in each bin and pulls one sheet from every bin in order to build a finished set. Friction collators drive the top sheet with a rubber wheel. Vacuum and air-suction collators lift the sheet with air. Coated stock and digital output need this, because a friction wheel slips or marks them.
Bin count sets the longest set the machine builds in one pass. A tabletop unit covers short sets. Production towers link together, so a shop running 20-page sets buys two 10-bin towers rather than one machine. Most collating lines then feed a stitcher, folder, or bookletmaker, which is why bin count and downstream attach get settled on the same quote.
Horizon vacuum and suction collators
- Horizon VAC-1000 air-suction collator
- Horizon VAC-L600H air-suction collator
- Horizon VAC-L1000 air-suction collator
- Horizon QC-S30 tabletop collator
Horizon VAC towers are the production air-suction path for multi-bin commercial collating, often paired with Horizon bookletmakers. QC-S30 covers lighter tabletop work. Confirm bin count, sheet size, and interface on the quote. Full brand line: Horizon print finishing.
Plockmatic and Morgana feeder/collators
- Plockmatic ACF 510 air-feed collator
- Morgana 510 feeder/collator
The ACF 510 and Morgana 510 cover air-feed collating and feeder/collator duty for digital and short-run sets. Confirm feed style and downstream attach on the quote. See Plockmatic and Morgana.
MBM friction collating
The FC10 PLUS is the MBM friction collator for shops that do not need a full vacuum tower. Confirm bin count and stock range on the quote. Brand page: MBM Corporation.
Inline bookletmaking after the collator
- Horizon SPF-200A and FC-200A bookletmaker
Many collating lines feed a stitcher/folder. The SPF-200A/FC-200A is listed here because shops often buy collator and bookletmaker as a system. For the full stitch path, use bookletmakers and saddle stitchers.
How to choose a collator
Four decisions settle most quotes.
Feed type. Friction for many uncoated and mixed short-run jobs. Air/vacuum when coated stock, high speed, or tower duty demands it.
Bin count and set size. Match bins to your largest regular set, with headroom for covers and inserts.
Downstream path. Hand stack, folder, or bookletmaker. Plan the interface before you buy the tower alone.
Brand fit. Horizon for production suction systems, Plockmatic/Morgana for air-feed digital lines, MBM for friction.
Why buy collating equipment from Mid-State Litho
Mid-State Litho is a family-owned print-finishing integrator since 1984 with factory-trained technicians for install, training, preventive maintenance, and repair across Michigan and the Great Lakes.
Complete systems. We sell the collator and the stitcher, folder, and binder that follow it. See bindery finishing.
Service. Setup and common wear items through service and support.
Trade-ins and financing. Written trade-in values when the old collator still has life. Financing and leasing through Mitsubishi HC Capital and LEAF Commercial Capital. Used options: used and refurbished equipment.
Call 1-800-343-4231.
Collating FAQ
What is the difference between friction and vacuum collators?
Friction feeders pull sheets with rollers or belts and suit many short-run and mixed stocks. Vacuum/air-suction towers handle higher speed and coated stock more reliably. We size on your paper, not the brochure label alone.
Which brands of collators does Mid-State Litho sell?
Current models include Horizon VAC and QC-S30, Plockmatic ACF 510, Morgana 510, and MBM FC10 PLUS. Call for other models by quote.
Can a collator feed a Horizon bookletmaker?
Yes. Production lines often pair a VAC collator with Horizon stitch/fold modules such as the SPF-200A/FC-200A. Confirm interface on the quote.
Does Mid-State Litho install and service collators?
Yes. Factory-trained technicians install, train operators, and service collating equipment across Michigan and the Great Lakes. Call 1-800-343-4231.
Can I finance a collator or collator-bookletmaker system?
Yes. Financing and leasing run through Mitsubishi HC Capital and LEAF Commercial Capital. Start at financing and leasing.