Traditionally strip charts have been produced in roll form. This format makes looking back into the record difficult as the roll has to be unwound. Most modern recorders use fan folded charts, or at least offer this as an option. These are easy to read as individual pages can be quickly accessed, and in most cases are page numbered.

This format can provide the chart manufacturer with headaches however. The cross perforations must be 100% uniform across the web and at exactly ninety degrees to it to avoid producing “packs” that lean and may jam in the recorder. Crown Graphic have developed a unique new technology since 2003 which overcomes these problems and removes the arduous task of setting knives, which on traditional machines can take as long as the production run itself!

Fanfold charts are produced on a variety of papers including ink writing, thermal and pressure sensitive (wax).