There are plenty of finishing options that can be used either inline or offline on a digital press and, while previously most printers went for an offline or nearline option, evidence suggests that many are now opting for inline systems, according to Ibis Bindery Systems managing director John Cracknell.
"In the past, people have been uncomfortable with inline production, but now they are not so nervous," he says. Cracknell reckons that around 70% of Ibis machines are sold inline.
This shift is partly down to inline systems being more efficient and able to deliver saleable print faster; falling run lengths mean the price per copy is now a major concern for printers and the ability to finish a job inline eliminates damage that might occur in transferring printed sheets from one machine to another.
In addition, a lot of digital presses use toner or electro-statically applied inks, which are more prone to scratching, cracking and rub-off, so most digital printers opt for suction-fed machines, rather than friction-fed machines.
Economic impact
Although they haven't escaped the fall-out from the recent economic troubles, digital printers have generally fared better than their litho counterparts. And there are signs that the market is improving.
"There has been a bit of turmoil; it's been a bit up and down," says Cracknell. "We are at the top end of the market dealing with the largest, most expensive systems. But digital seems the only part of print that has been growing."
Since more finishing is being performed in-house by printers these days, many machines are adapted to on-demand operation, with automation being a key component. Flexibility is also important when buying kit, according to Cracknell. "You need a finishing system that will be able to handle all types of documents," he says.
There are some things to be aware of when buying this kind of kit. Lightweight paper of around 30-40gsm will cause problems with any finishing machine and while a high-speed finishing line can adapt very quickly to job changes, constantly changing format sizes at high speeds can be an issue.
"Printers expect to be able to change jobs every half an hour, which is fine, but for format size, constantly changing from A4 to A5 and back to A4 is not without its difficulties," says Cracknell.
WHAT'S NEW IN INLINE DIGITAL FINISHING
? In January, litho and digital printer Inky Little Fingers invested in a new DuBinder DPB-500 from Duplo to increase the speed of digitally printed perfect-bound book production, replacing a manual system
? Lake Image Systems unveiled a number of improvements to its IntegraVision Custom Bar Code in February. According to the manufacturer, the changes ensure that users of the product comply with the Royal Mail's Cleanmail and Cleanmail Plus services' dimensional tolerances and readability requirements. The unit can be installed on inserters, stitchers and polywrappers
? Lonsdale Print Solutions upped its mono capacity by investing in an Océ VarioPrint 6250 in August. The press came with a Watkiss PowerSquare, which allows the company to finish work in-line
? Finishing kit distributors Duplo International and Friedheim International announced a tie-up in May. The Finishing Alliance means that Freidheim and Duplo products are available from both suppliers
