Abstract: A method and apparatus for perforating a sheet of paper in an offset printing process is provided. The method includes producing a perf plate, which creates the perforations, by printing an image onto a printing plate. The image is produced by a desktop publishing application. The printed image produces guidelines on the printing plate, to which a selected perf rule is applied. The perf rule is selected according to the style of perforation that is desired for the specific application. The perf rule is attached to the printing plate within the guidelines by an adhesive backing of the perf rule, as well as a layer of tape over the perf rule to ensure the perf rule stays in place.