In printing, the term Collate refers to the gathering and arranging of individual sheets or other printed components into a pre-determined sequence. Basically, Collating creates consistent, logical sets from multiple parts.

Diagram A illustrates four sets of documents which have been collated. Diagram B illustrates four sets of documents which have not been collated.

Examples of Collated Documents

A short-run perfect bound book would require its pages to be collated in numerical order before it could be bound. Also, multi-part forms and checks are created from individual sheets collated in a specific sequence.


Bear in mind that the individual parts of a print project can be collated without having to be bound or fastened together. For example, promotional packets – like those used for seminars, sales presentations, trade shows and other marketing purposes – are often collated in advance for easy distribution. Likewise, printed instructional handouts may be collated in a particular order but are not necessarily bound or fastened together.

Several Ways to Collate Documents

Collating can occur as the various components are being created on the printing press (online collation) or it can occur as a separate step after the components have been printed and removed from the press (offline collation).

Depending on the complexity of the project, offline collation can be automated or performed as a manual operation. Generally, if the pieces within a document set have similar characteristics they can be collated with an automated piece of equipment.

However, if the components of a particular document set are dissimilar – such as a saddle-stitched product catalog, two Z-folded brochures, a dozen multi-part order forms and a business card – this would not be a good fit for automated collation and would require collating by hand.

Collating is Often Part of a Fulfillment Program

In our experience, fulfillment programs often involve the collation of print materials. Whether a one-time promotion or ongoing campaign, many assembly and kitting operations generally have a collated subcomponent. This is particularly true for fulfillment programs that require the distribution of literature, info packets, folders or binders.