On Nov 12, 2016, at 2:24 PM, Paul Koning <paulkon...@comcast.net> wrote:
> There are lots of paper manufacturers and lots of grades and thickness of > paper. The thickness we're talking about is one that shows up in a couple I > looked at. So it wouldn't surprise me at all if suitable paper could be had. > The matter of cutting it to the correct shape is a different issue, > admittedly. It may not be all that difficult. Perhaps the right method here is a die-cut, a common method for doing custom cuts of paper — often far more complicated than punch cards. The basic idea is that you build a form up with steel rules that define the edges you want cut. These rules essentially act as a blade. Then you mount this on a press, and run through a stack of paper as if you’re printing, but in fact you’re just cutting. Here’s a basic overview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1NKLPYS0Vo A few years back, while photographing letterpress printers (see http://johnlabovitz.com/projects/letterpress), I met a fellow (Rob Barnes) in Denver who specializes in die-cutting. Like most die-cut operators, he uses mid-20th century Heidelberg letterpress printing presses. I have no idea if he’s interested in a retro-punch card project, but it might be worth contacting him. http://www.vintagepressworks.com Frankly, I think the harder task is to find a good stock of appropriate paper. Best, —John