The new machine, installed on 15 March, has helped the Northampton litho and digital printer speed production, according to director Max Bishop.

“We had an older system in place, but wanted something faster, easier to set up, that ran smoothly,” he said.

“We also wanted something that would complete landscape work so we could offer that as a service knowing we could complete it in-house. It was important that the new system enabled us to support the extra production from [our 2021 acquisition] Print Projects too.” 

Futureprint considered other options, but settled on the Horizon for its quick set up time and smooth operation, he said, adding that supplier Intelligent Finishing Systems’ (IFS) overall package and service contract had appealed to the team.

The Horizon SPF-200L itself is a JDF-ready bookletmaker that collates, jogs, stitches, folds and trims, handling sheets up to 640mm long.

Futureprint runs a five-colour Sakurai B2 litho press, and Xerox Versant 4100 and 3100 presses for its digital work.

Bishop added: “So far, the jobs we have run on it have been completed quickly and efficiently. We don’t have an expected return on investment. We needed a reliable bookletmaker in the bindery and it is working really well for us.”

Futureprint also bought a Petratto Metro folder-gluer from IFS in early 2022 after its acquisition of Print Projects.