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Q We are a printing company looking into the possibility of producing Post-it style sticky notes. We have the printing capability – I just need to source the finishing kit. I’ve had no success in finding a supplier for this type of equipment. Are you able to help/advise?
Name and address supplied

A I don’t think the type of equipment required is available off-the-shelf. As I’m sure you’re aware, Post-it notes are a trademarked product of 3M. The company patented the process and, after the original patent expired in the 1990s, rival sticky note products arrived on the market. The fact that there are still only a handful of other suppliers is indicative of the specialist production requirements for these deceptively simple little pads. I did find an interesting website, madehow.com, that explains the manufacturing process thus:

1 The special polymer-based adhesive is mixed and placed into the machine, which applies the glue to the paper
2 For pre-printed pads, the design is printed on to sheets in the normal way. The paper is then placed into the [finishing] machine and prepared to be fed through the priming device
3 As the paper passes through the machine, continuous rollers prime the back side of the paper with a substrate. Next, the polymer glue is applied on top of the substrate
4 As the paper passes from the glue application, another device stacks the sheets of paper on top of each other to form large pads. Attached to the bottom of the pad is a piece of paper listing the company and brand names
5 The pads are cut into smaller square/rectangular/shaped pads. They are then wrapped individually or in bulk packs

Here’s a shortened link to the relevant page, which includes an illustration, too: bit.ly/bnxUpZ.
Via the Help Line forum at printweek.com, ‘Ivor Binder’ also chipped in with this recollection: "I looked into this several years ago, the Post-it note is protected better than the average head of state. I did do a visit to a site whose name escapes me now and even the machine applying the gum didn’t have an obvious maker’s name on it. From what my fuzzled mind can remember the technology is basic but the application is tricky though obviously, not impossible." Of course, if there is anybody out there with a machine (or two) that can do the job, please get in touch.