What Petratto does

Petratto S.r.l. is an Italian manufacturer of post-press and paper converting industrial machinery, headquartered in Pianezza (Torino), Italy. Founded in 1938 as Petratto Bookbinding and Converting and rebranded as Petratto Machines in 1976 under current owner Giorgio Petratto, the company has operated for over 80 years engineering bookbinding, die cutting, laser die cutting, folding-gluing, creasing, and taping equipment at a single Italian facility. Its product portfolio spans three categories: bookbinding machines (Cordoba 4, Photo BAT, SB80/SB100, SAB 100/100C Digital, Eclipse Junior, D-Sig thread sewing, poster folding, and stacking/pressing units); paper converting machines (Metro and Mini Metro modular folding-gluers, Geco 160 and Mesmeter tape applicators, PDF60/76/106 traditional die cutters, PDF74 digital die cutter, and Eclipse B1/B2/B2 Plus/B3 laser die cutters); and special machines (SKY automated mask-making, Metro Napkins cutlery envelope line, MaDò placemat dispenser). Its proprietary Eclipse laser die cutting platform eliminates the need for traditional dies and operates at speeds up to 3,000 sheets/hour on the B2 Plus, and the Cordoba 4 line has over 1,500 units installed since 2000.

Petratto's business model is direct B2B equipment sales with quote-based pricing tied to configuration, format size, and customization. The company targets commercial printers, book manufacturers, packaging converters, and specialized manufacturers in hospitality, healthcare, and PPE sectors. Sales are conducted through direct enterprise engagement, supported by custom machine engineering services for non-standard requirements. Revenue is generated primarily through one-time machinery sales, with supplementary income from accessories, add-on modules, and modular upgrades. The company sells globally from its single Italian manufacturing site, with marketing reach through its website, LinkedIn, and YouTube channels. Its IP base consists of a substantial portfolio of Italian and international patents covering die cutting, creasing, and folding technology, and it pursues global distribution of standardized product lines alongside bespoke engineered solutions.

Name

Petratto

Legal name

Petratto S.r.l.

Website

https://petratto.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1938

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Petratto is an Italian manufacturer of post-press and paper converting industrial machinery, founded in 1938 and headquartered in Pianezza, Italy. It sells die cutters, laser die cutting systems, folding-gluing machines, and bookbinding equipment directly to commercial printers, packaging converters, and specialized manufacturers worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Printing & Finishing Machinery

NAICS

Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing (3333)

SIC

Printing Trades Machinery & Equipment (3555), Special Industry Machinery, Nec (3559)

akta.pro primary industry

Finishing, Converting & Die-Cutting Services (IMALAKAN)

Keywords

• Post-press machinery
• Paper converting equipment
• Die cutting machines
• Bookbinding machinery
• Folding-gluing machines

Headquarters

HQ city

Pianezza

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Industrial Machinery Sales: Petratto generates revenue through the sale of post-press and paper converting machinery, including bookbinding machines, die cutters, folding-gluing machines, and special/custom machines. The company sells standard product lines as well as custom-engineered solutions tailored to specific production requirements.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Petratto manufactures and sells industrial post-press and paper converting machinery for the printing, packaging, and bookbinding industries. Its product portfolio includes traditional die cutters, digital die cutters, laser die cutters (Eclipse series), folding-gluing machines (Metro/Mini Metro), creasing and folding machines (Cordoba 4), thread sewing machines (D-Sig), tape application machines, and special/custom engineered machines for applications such as non-woven mask production and automated placemat dispensing. All machines are engineered, assembled, and tested at the company's facility in Pianezza, Italy.

Product overview

Petratto is an Italian manufacturer of post-press and paper converting solutions founded in 1938, offering a comprehensive portfolio of industrial machinery. The product lineup consists of three main categories: (1) Bookbinding machines including Cordoba 4 (high-speed creasing/folding/gluing), Photo BAT (photographic paper processing), SB80/SB100 (scoring/cutting), SAB 100/SAB 100C Digital (integral cover production), D-Sig/D-Sig Plus (digital thread sewing), Eclipse Junior (tool-free creasing), Poster Folding Machine, PICCOLO/PGN/BAT Pile (stacking and pressing); (2) Paper Converting machines including Metro and Mini Metro (modular folding-gluing), Geco 160/Mesmeter (tape application), PDF60/PDF76/PDF106 traditional die cutters with various configurations (hot foil, stripping, blanking units), PDF74 digital die cutter, and Eclipse laser die cutters (B1/B2/B2 Plus/B3); (3) Special Machines including SKY (automated mask-making), Metro Napkins (cutlery envelope production), and MaDò (placemat dispenser). The company also offers custom machine building services. Products serve markets including packaging, e-commerce, hospitality, and PPE production.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Cordoba 4 High-speed creasing, folding and gluing machine for paper and cardboard (80-600 g) with integrated knife and matrix creasing unit, digital programmer, and optional perforating and gluing add-ons; designed for short runs including book-of-one production.
• Photo BAT Precision creasing and folding machine for photographic paper designed to convert printed photos into high-quality photo albums and children's books; supports format 52 x 120 cm with optional high pile feeder and side lay.
• SB80/SB100 High-speed scoring, perforating and cutting machines that combine scoring, perforating and cutting in a single step while keeping sheets flat throughout the process.
• SAB 100 Two-step machine for integral book cover production with an innovative digital system for total logical control of all speeds; can be upgraded to the SAB 100C configuration.
• SAB 100C Digital One-step machine for integral book cover production that creates integral covers in a single step with automatic length and quantity control.
• Eclipse Junior Tool-free die cutting and creasing machine that uses innovative creasing technology to create a grid of linear creases without traditional dies; ideal for short runs and micro production, and doubles plotter productivity.
• Poster Folding Machine Large format folding machine for posters and billboards handling up to 2,000 advertising posters per hour with six adjustable rolled-up folds and optional inkjet printing modules.
• D-Sig / D-Sig Plus Digital thread sewing machines that bridge digital printing and traditional bookbinding with a modular design for customization; performs precise 1/4 or 1/8 folds for strong, long-lasting sewn books.
• PICCOLO 46/66/94 Compact vertical stacker for folded signature pressing and stacking with 1,800 kg pressing rollers, stacking up to 40 cm height with precise alignment; in production since 1979.
• PGN 46/66 Flexible pressing group with 1,800 kg pressing rollers; mobile, independent unit that can be installed after folding machines or integrated between different machines.
• BAT Pile High-speed die creasing machine for paper and cardboard (80-600 gsm) with vacuum pile feeder, precision creasing for covers, leaflets and gate folds at 52 x 120 cm format.
• Metro Modular folding-gluing machine (78/105 format) for envelopes, folders, boxes, calendars and packaging with a digital management system and extensive accessory options.
• Mini Metro Compact modular folding-gluing machine with a base length of 1.3 metres, expandable with additional modules; designed for limited spaces and small cases, folders, envelopes and double-sided tape applications.
• Geco 160 Semi-automatic tape application machine with maximum working width of 1,600 mm, supporting up to six applicators simultaneously for adhesive and double-sided tapes on paper, plastic, wood and leather.
• Mesmeter Automatic tape application machine for adhesive and double-sided tape with up to four applicators working simultaneously, touchscreen control panel and belt feeder.
• PDF60 Traditional die cutter for formats up to 450 x 600 mm, suitable for paper and board from 150 to 450 g/m², performing die cutting, creasing, perforating and kiss-cutting.
• PDF76 Traditional die cutter for 500x700 mm format handling stocks from 80 g up to corrugated cardboard E-Flute; high-speed production at low investment cost.
• PDF106 High-speed die cutting machine for 700 x 1000 mm formats and stocks from 80 g/m² to 5 mm thick including B-Flute corrugated board; feeds up to 125 sheets per minute.
• PDF74 Digital Digital die cutter for short and medium runs on offset and digitally printed sheets up to 50 x 70 cm, performing die-cutting, creasing, kiss-cutting, hot foiling, embossing, braille and hologram application.
• Eclipse B1 Top-tier laser die cutter for B1 format with up to four creasing cameras, automatic barcode recognition, and a powerful laser-cutting system for cardboard, corrugated, and plastics.
• Eclipse B2 Laser die cutter for B2 format with two creasing cameras, handling up to 1,500 sheets/hour with barcode-driven job changeovers.
• Eclipse B2 Plus High-speed laser die cutter for B2 format with processing speeds up to 3,000 sheets per hour, four creasing cameras and format changes as quick as 10 seconds.
• Eclipse B3 Compact laser die cutter for B3 format with automatic barcode recognition, laser cutting, creasing, and stacking; speed up to 1,000 sheets/hour with 1-10 minute changeover times.
• SKY - Automated Mask-Making Machine Fully automated dual-line system for producing flat non-woven face masks up to 4 layers (17.5 x 9.5 cm), engineered and assembled in Italy with CE conformity.
• Metro Napkins Automated line for producing cutlery envelopes with folded napkins inside in a single step, eliminating the need for pre-folded napkins with double-line robotic feeding.
• MaDò Automated Dispenser Automated placemat dispenser for self-service dining areas with stainless steel lid that dispenses placemats one at a time without folds or creases.
• Custom Machine Building Custom machine engineering service for non-standard production requirements, building machines for unique formats, unconventional materials and creative applications when standard solutions do not suffice.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Horizon (Horizon International): Japanese manufacturer of post-press and print finishing equipment including bookbinding, folding, and trimming systems. Directly competes with Petratto in bookbinding and finishing machinery.
• Standard Finishing Systems: US-based supplier of bindery and print finishing equipment including creasing, folding, and bookbinding machinery. Directly comparable to Petratto's product categories for commercial print finishers.
• Bograma: Swiss die cutting machinery specialist focused on flatbed and rotary die cutters for packaging and labels. Direct competitor in die cutting technology alongside Petratto's PDF and Eclipse series.
• Kolbus: German specialist in bookbinding machinery and hardcover production systems. Closely comparable to Petratto in the bookbinding/cover production space, including digital and sewn binding.
• Müller Martini: Swiss-German manufacturer of bookbinding, saddlestitching and perfect binding systems, plus post-press equipment. One of the closest direct competitors to Petratto in the bookbinding and finishing segment.

Broad incumbents

• Koenig & Bauer (KBA): Major German printing press manufacturer with finishing and post-press capabilities. Competes in the broader print finishing value chain where Petratto operates.
• Bobst: Swiss-based global leader in packaging and printing machinery, including die cutting, folding-gluing and finishing equipment. Competes with Petratto in paper converting and packaging finishing, but at vastly larger scale and broader product portfolio.
• Heidelberger Druckmaschinen (Heidelberg): Major German printing press manufacturer with a substantial post-press and finishing portfolio. Overlaps with Petratto in commercial print finishing solutions, though Heidelberg's primary focus is upstream press equipment.

Emerging players

• Highcon Systems: Israeli developer of digital cutting and creasing systems for folding cartons and corrugated packaging. Comparable to Petratto's Eclipse laser die cutting strategy — a more recent entrant into digital finishing.
• Zünd: Swiss manufacturer of digital cutting systems including for packaging, signage and graphics. Comparable technology overlap with Petratto's digital/laser die cutting trajectory.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@petratto
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/petratto

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Petratto