The key to efficient paper jogging is to separate the sheets with a cushion of air.  This serves several purposes: 1) It eliminates static charges that will hold the paper together, 2) a cushion of air will reduce friction between sheets and loosen any sheets that are stuck together from clamping or cutting and, 3) it will break any adhesion caused by wet or tacky ink if you are jogging printed material.  To do this you should always fan your paper before jogging.  As it is laying flat, grab the lift of paper from opposite ends.  Bend the edges of the lift in towards each other.  Tightly hold the edges of the bent stack and then straighten it out.  Release the edges of the stack and let the sheets straighten out.  Repeat this procedure two or three times to loosen all sheets.

When jogging large lifts of paper, instead of placing the entire lift on the jogger at one time, proper sheet alignment will be obtained faster if you feed small lifts at a time, gradually building up to the full amount.

Onionskin, tissue, and other types of light paper require painstaking jogging for any type of accurate work, especially cutting.  These types of paper are very difficult to jog and a few hints might make this job a little easier and faster.

• When ordering these types of paper, specify the grain to run lengthwise and jog with this dimension towards the bottom of the table.

• Lay pieces of chipboard above and below the lift when jogging (this also makes it easier to handle and maintain alignment.)

• Smooth out air pockets and waves and add a piece of chipboard (if you haven’t already done so) before cutting.

When jogging checks, data cards, or envelopes, excessive noise can be reduced by gluing pieces of felt inside the bottom edges of each compartment.  Note this will reduce jogging action slightly.