The Essex-based direct mail and plastic card processing business installed a multi-array Nordson glue system and an ITW Dynatec multi-channel controller in its factory in Great Dunmow last month.

The multi-jet glue head can be added to the plastic card matching and affixing lines to create sealed edge, Mailmark compliant, one-piece mailers.

Director Paul Brett said: “The machine gives us the flexibility to do glue-dot patterns for one-piece mailers, and cost just shy of £20,000.

“We are still testing to see what we can and cannot do and are trying different glues from different manufacturers to find out the most friendly for ease and feel of opening.”

He said he looked at cold-glue kit, which was good for permanent fixing, but hotmelt gave much better flexibility for opening.

“The new equipment also allows us to do a job in one pass rather than putting paper through multiple passes, saving production costs.”

Abbey Marketing Communications has 25 staff and a £2m turnover. Three fifths of its work is DM, with the rest plastic card processing.

As well as mailing and card processing kit, the firm also runs a number of digital presses including Canon Océ and Konica Minolta machines as well as a Ricoh Pro C9110 digital press, which it bought in 2015.

The flexible glue system enhances our ability to create Mailmark compliant one-piece mailers incorporating plastic cards and the option of a barcoded key tag.

“With rising pack costs mostly due to the postage element, the ability to pass on savings to our clients should result in a win, win. We hope to get more work and the client saves money”.

Abbey Marketing, now in its 15th year, provides direct mail processing, plastic card processing and colour digital print to many blue-chip companies.