Finishing – part 4 – Booklet makers and collators
Finishing – part 4 – Booklet makers and collators - 8th June 2009
It is in booklet making and collating where the full implications of digital print have changed the way many printers operate. Once a process reserved for the trade finisher, the demand for short run lengths had a huge impact on job planning and costing. This helped encourage the process to be brought in-house. Not only would firms have to pay to send out the work- often paying a minimum amount regardless of the number of copies produced- but they would then be at mercy of the trade finisher’s production schedule.
At the same time and as digital presses gained popularity, it became clear printers were happy to invest in highly automated equipment that was easy to run and quick to set up. Manufacturers realised if they developed systems that could be run with minimum training they could service the growing interest in bringing this discipline in-house.
Now many firms are looking to further streamline their throughput- and keep operator intervention to a minimum – by considering the need for their booklet makers to operate in line, near line, off line or dual line. Each has its own plusses and minuses. For an in line operation the print engine is hard coupled to the finishing equipment or so closely integrated that the print engine manages the set up and control. This is ideal for companies such as transactional printers producing the same product every day. Speedy and continuous, it eliminates set up times and removes the need for manual intervention between print and finishing. However, the finishing speed is limited by the print engine’s output and the finishing equipment is restricted to use on the one machine. Also, if there is a fault with either system both will be out of action.
To be continued…
Don’t forget we’re still running our Letterheads promotion – 2000 full colour letterheads for £125 delivered!
See Part one of this blog on finishing , See Part one of the Blog on Variable Data Printing – also part one of Publication Printing
Print Buying Direct and School Prospectus Made Easy are both brands of parent company – The Printing House Ltd of Crewe, Cheshire, UK. Keep visiting both websites for details of our latest offers and promotions.
Tags: cheshire, crewe, digital printing, Full Colour Letterheads, Letterhead Printing, print finishing, printers, printing, School Prospectus design, School Prospectus printing, variable data printing