The new machine, installed and operational on 23 October, can stitch booklets up to 60 sheets thick with square spines, as if perfect-bound; maximum one-up A5 booklet speed (up to five sheets) is 5,200bph.

“It’s flying already,” Phil Klieve, Chapel Press’ estimator, told Printweek.

“It’s really good, and the team is very happy.”

The new flat-spine booklet was a real attraction for the team, as it helps take even more short-run work off the firm’s Muller Martini stitching line. Booklets are a major breadwinner for the company, which prints largely for the academic sector, so the time saved in collation and setup of shorter run jobs on the Muller Martini is of direct benefit to the firm, Klieve said.

“The Duplo is just plug-and-play, no folding – it’s less preparation and a quick turnaround,” he added.

“The demand from customers is for shorter and shorter turnaround, and the new machine is able to meet that instant service requirement.”

Matt Green, Chapel Press works manager, added: "The new 700 has been a big help with work scheduling, especially given the nature of the projects we handle and their short lead times. Every advantage we gain improves overall efficiency. 

“Ultimately, it’s all about meeting customer needs, and the Duplo is a fantastic addition for Chapel Press."

Training was quick and thorough, Klieve said, with the team booked in for further instruction. Having experience on its predecessor machine helped operators get to grips quickly.

Chapel Press prints conventionally on a pair of Heidelberg Speedmasters, a five-colour CX 75 and a 10-colour XL 75, and digitally on its Konica Minolta AccurioPress C6100 and C12000 colour presses, employing nearly 30 at its Bredbury factory just east of Stockport.