Binding & Finishing

These days, it seems that there are almost as many brands, types and models of finishing equipment available in the printing industry as there are droplets of water in the ocean. It is a vast market that includes everything from cutters, slitters, creasers, gluers, stitchers and perforators, all the way to die makers, perfect binders, collators, laminators and embossers. While each and every one of these products are vitally important for the finished printed product, the fact is that many of them haven’t changed too drastically in recent years.

With the growing popularity of digital short-run book production, however, more and more automatic book-binders and booklet makers are cropping up from manufacturers all over the market. Offering all-in-one capabilities, these products are creating new revenue streams for printing businesses in the industry. In this section of Featured Markets, we’ll take a closer look at some of the different options available and what they have to offer.

Standard Horizon BQ-470 Perfect Binder

This machine from Standard produces up to 1,350 perfect bound books per hour. Ideal for the professional-quality mid-range binding market, the BQ-470 can produce books of up to 2.5” thick.

Both EVA and PUR hot-melt adhesives can be used on this bookbinding machine. The interchangeable glue feature means that a wider range of applications can be produced, including digital colour books. The BQ-470 has clear sliding windows that provide a good view of operations inside the device.

The Standard BQ-470 is best suited for short- to medium-run lengths and is fully automated. The four-clamp perfect binder is easy to operate and has a large LCD touch-screen control panel. Standard says that this product “fills a sweet spot” in short-run professional-quality book production.

C.P. Bourg BME Booklet Maker

On a smaller scale, C.P. Bourg’s BME device is a commercial booklet maker that can automatically stitch, fold and trim booklets of up to 30 sheets at a time to create 120-page booklets.

Within the device, the paper path is visible and straight from start to finish – an important aspect for many printers. It is fully automatic and features a full-colour touchscreen control panel. The Booklet Maker BME can also be controlled from a remote source, such as a collator or printer, increasing workflow efficiency. Because of its special feeder, the machine allows for mark-less handling of digitally printed sheets.

An ideal choice for digital printers and finishers, the BME can handle a wide range of formats for any collator or online accessory. It has speeds up to 5,000 sets per hour. Both coated and uncoated paper is possible, from minimum 60 gsm to maximum 350 gsm. With an input size of up to 370mm x 600mm, it can take production from an iGen3 and even handle landscape A4 brochures.

Duplo DFS-3500 Bookletmaking System

This near-line system from Duplo is designed to completely finish full-bleed booklets in a single pass. It is ideal for short-run applications and can slit, crease, stitch, fold and trim all in one pass.

The finishing process on the DFS-3500 is totally automated, and setup is completed from a control panel that can save up to 30 jobs. Variable data processing is possible with this machine using an End Mark Reader. This allows booklets with different sheet counts to be produced for one-to-one marketing applications. The End Mark Reader recognizes a mark on the booklet’s cover, and automatically begins the stitch, fold and trim cycle without manual adjustments.

The DFS-3500 can handle booklets up to 20 sheets at a time. It is compatible with coated, uncoated and UV coated paper from 110-350 gsm, at sizes up to 12.6” x 18.11.” At speeds of up to 1,320 booklets per hour, this device from Duplo is an all-in-one bookletmaking system.

Muller Martini Diamant MC 60 Bookline

The Diamant MC 60 from Muller Martini is what you might call a book production system that’s got the “big guns.” At speeds of 3,600 cycles per hour, books as small as 4” x 4” and as large as 10 5/8” x 15” can be produced.

It is designed to produce standard hardcover books, as well as books with integral, full-flap or even plastic covers. Books up to 3 1/8” can be made on the device. The Diamant can create PUR perfect bound books, complete with long-lasting rounding. Infrared heaters will warm up the spines of incoming books, meaning that they can be perfectly rounded. Backed in two full wipes, the MC 60 produces very stable and secure joints.

The machine’s high degree of automation allows for shorter changeover times. The Diamant MC 60 features an automatic make-ready system that is controlled via a touchscreen. CIP3/CIP4 integration is also possible.

Large-Format Digital Printers

In this section of Featured Markets, let’s take a look at some of the best large-format digital printers on the market. The ones we’ve discussed make no secret of their power and capabilities. You’ve seen them at the trade shows, proudly on display. The large-format digital printers always draw a crowd and seem to get bigger and wider every year. Will they ever stop coming out with bigger models?

We’ve looked at two roll-fed and two flatbed options, to cover both bases. Though you’ve probably seen and heard of these four printers before, each one is unique in its own way. Each one has its specific advantages and capabilities. Let’s dig in!

HP Designjet L65500

This large-format printer from HP offers its users versatility, with the ability to print for both indoor and outdoor applications. Prints can achieve up to three years display permanence unlaminated, and up to five years laminated because of the unique water-based latex inks. Products printed on the Designjet L65500 are scratch, smudge and waterproof.

Further benefits of the latex inks include a lessened impact from print on the environment. Solvents are not used, therefore no special ventilation is necessary and the prints are odourless and aren’t toxic. Products also dry inside the printer so there is no extra wait for drying time or off-gassing.

The Designjet L65500 produces prints up to 1200 dpi at a top speed of 1691 sq. ft. per hour. It has six ink cartridges, including light cyan and light magenta. The printer handles roll-to-roll substrates on media such as banners, self-adhesives, films, fabric, paper and also mesh.

EFI VUTEk GS5000r

The GS5000r from EFI is a super-wide format printer that is capable of printing products up to five metres wide. According to the company, it “redefines five-metre printing” and combines Point-of-Purchase quality with billboard production level speeds.

This printer is absolutely massive and produces products for applications such as exhibition graphics, digital textiles, billboard signage and also commercial graphics. At output speeds up to 3100 sq. ft. per hour, the finished product can be either sheet-cut or rolled onto the core.

The machine has dual resolution capabilities at both 600 dpi and 1000 dpi. EFI’s flexible inks are water-resistant, fade-resistant and contain no VOCs. The product also offers instant UV curing and can be optimized for use with the EFI Fiery XF RIP.

Fujifilm Acuity Advance HS

Earlier this year, Fujifilm announced its latest developments in the Acuity line: The Advance HS (High Speed). The machine prints high quality at production speeds over 430 sq. ft. per hour, and the HS model has a new express mode that allows for printing over 650 sq. ft. per hour.

Ideal for graphic display POP printers and even commercial photo labs, the HS printer builds on the strengths of Fujifilm’s Acuity. The flatbed table uses vacuum suction to hold rigid media stationary so that unusual items such as canvas, doors and even ceiling tiles can be printed on. The system supports full-bleed printing and prints edge-to-edge at a maximum image area of 4 ft. × 8 ft.

This Acuity Advance flatbed printer also has a roll media option, expanding the flexibility of substrates it can print on. It can utilize Fujifilm’s Uvijet inks that reportedly deliver good adhesion, vibrancy and durability. The HS model also comes equipped with a white ink module that can be used to intensify colours. The white ink can be printed in-line and up to three distinct layers thick for complete opacity.

Agfa :Anapurna M2

The :Anapurna is an industrial UV inkjet system that is designed to produce wide-format output on a variety of rigid and roll-to-roll media. At top speeds of over 248 sq. ft. per hour, it can print for both indoor and outdoor applications.

Well suited for graphic screen printers, photo shops and sign shops, this :Anapurna can print up to 720 × 1440 dpi. Agfa’s :Anapurna UV-curable inks provide a large colour gamut with outdoor resistance. Inks are cured instantly and products are ready to handle right after leaving the device.

Substrates of just over 1 ¾” thick can be printed. Each of the six print heads (including a light cyan and light magenta) has 1024 nozzles. A set of shuttle safety sensors prevents the print heads from touching the substrate to avoid possible damage.