Q We produce stamps for a famous fantasy author and have, until recently, had a stock of gummed paper that had the look of a proper postage stamp. The big paper merchants now only seem to stock the particle gummed powder-coated type. So I am now trying to source a supply of 100gsm gloss paper with a glazed gummed side. We just missed a stock of the right material from one of the merchants. I have two questions: Are there currently any mills or stockists of this type of paper? Among the thousands of printers nationwide is there some old stock sat on a shelf that could be for sale (2,000 to 5,000 sheets of SRA3/SRA2 or any odd size perhaps), so that we can start printing on the right material again. Any help will be gratefully received.
Terry Wright, Rose Mills Print Finishers, Ilminster

A As you seem to have explored all the conventional routes, Terry, I shall throw this open in the hope that someone does have those sheets your desire sitting around in a warehouse somewhere.

Q I have a high-profile customer who needs some binder covers glued, the covers will be pre-printed and laminated to the client's specific design/corporate identity. What I need is for the covers to then be scored and have a glue spine inserted so that when client inserts their specific information into the covers and heats in a desktop binder the glue melts and sticks everything together. The client is looking at about 3,000 a month and the deadlines are normally very tight. Any help would be well received.
Lee Moore, via www.printweek.com

A An answer comes via the magic of printweek.com, where Michael Shier of Dayfold spotted Lee's plea. Dorset-based Dayfold has been manufacturing thermal folders for nearly 30 years, and this job is right up their street. The FSC-approved firm could do the whole job, including printing, in-house if required. Contact: 01202 827141 or www.dayfold.com

‘Printroductions' #3
I'm in trouble with Andrew Wilson at Unity Print & Publishing, as I should of course have included a reference to Unity's extremely useful publications in the info given to Yan Beviss, the rookie print buyer (Help Lines passim). Unity's Print Manager's Handbook and Print & Production Manual could both be a great help. Visit: www.unity-publishing.co.uk. Both cost £34.95 including P&P.