Perfect Perforation: The Practical Finishing Touch That Makes a Big Difference

When it comes to printed materials, it’s often the smallest details that make the biggest impact—and perforation is one of those unsung heroes of finishing work. Whether you’re designing a direct mail piece, a ticket, or a tear-away coupon, perforation adds both functionality and finesse to your print project.

What is Perforation?

Perforation is the process of creating a line of tiny, evenly spaced holes in paper or cardstock. These holes can run along a straight or curved line and are designed to make it easy to tear off a portion of the printed piece cleanly and precisely.

Why use Perforation?

  • Easy Tear-Offs: Perfect for reply cards, order forms, coupons, event tickets, or raffle stubs
  • Professional Appearance: Clean, uniform lines that don’t compromise the look of your design
  • Functional & Versatile: Adds convenience for your recipients while keeping your branding intact
  • Cost-Effective: Enhances usability without significantly increasing your printing cost

Common Uses for Perforation

  • Coupons on direct mail postcards or flyers
  • Tickets for events, with stubs that are easy to detach at the door
  • Order forms or reply cards that are returned by mail
  • Gift certificates with a removable receipt
  • Multi-part brochures where one section can be torn and saved
  • Packaging, such as the “tear off” section of a box of crackers or the slits on a pizza box

Design Tip:

Keep at least a 1/8″ margin around perforated areas to ensure clean separation and readability. We’ll help guide you through the best placement and spacing during the design phase.


Need Perforation for Your Next Print Project?

Whether you’re creating a promotional mailer, a set of tickets, or a tear-off feedback form, we’re here to help. At Executive Printing, we’ll make sure your materials are not only beautifully printed—but also thoughtfully finished.

Contact us today to request a quote to include perforation in your next project!

The Executive Printing team is amazing! They are always quick to answer any questions. We have used them for many years and their products never disappoint and their service is second to none! Jeremy Madden