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Q I am looking for parts for a Golding series three 8x5 hand platen. It’s of 1890 vintage. I need rollers, chases, quoins, and some furniture. Would very much appreciate some help in sourcing these parts. Thanks.
Bruce Chave, via email

A Two mentions of this venerable printing machinery name within the month – what a coincidence. Please get in touch if you happen to have the bits Bruce is searching for, or if you can offer any pointers.

Q I’m trying to develop a range of greeting cards that have designs stencil-cut through the card. I want to source a manufacturer abroad that can do this at a cost of less than 50p per card. I’ve found a couple of places that can do this through laser-cut, but the quality is not great. Does anyone have any advice on this? I’m also not sure if laser-cutting is the best option and am wondering if die-cutting is a better alternative.
Damion Viney, via printweek.com

A Why abroad? I can help with UK suppliers, but if you’re just after a cheap overseas source then I suggest you look elsewhere. I’m also somewhat mystified about your comments regarding the quality of laser-cutting. The work I’ve seen produced this way has been of an incredibly high standard, especially for intricate designs – the caveat being that you have to be able to put up with a bit of singeing on the reverse of the sheet. Try Trilogy Lasercraft (01480 412227, www.lasercraft.co.uk).

Sticky note suggestions #2
Some follow-up info following a request from a reader searching for the kit to produce Post-it style sticky note pads. Arthur Heaps, from Print2day in Australia, believes there is a company down under producing variable sticky notes digitally and reckons the paper comes on reels with the glue already applied. Meanwhile, other readers have kindly provided various pointers. I’m informed that the original 3M sheet-to-sheet line was designed and developed in the UK by Pantech Engineering. It no longer exists but the same kit and know-how is available from Auto Feeders (01268 571394, www.autofeeders.co.uk). Other recommendations include Visatac for material in different colours and weights, with special ultra removable adhesive (+34 972 23 20 23, www.visatac.com ), converting machinery from GIC (+33 (0)164 03 97 97, www.gic-online.com) and low-tack pressure-sensitive glue from Dowell Enterprises (01895 811422, www.glue-4u.co.uk).