Innovative Digital Finishing Solutions  
www.ibis-bindery.com
December 2008

Nine critical steps when selecting a digital print finishing system

1/ What type and quality of finished output is needed ? The IBIS Smart-binder system was developed specifically for producing books/ booklets from digitally printed sheets . Smart-binder models SB-1 or SB-2 produce only saddle wire-stitched booklets. The SB- 3 provides the choice of traditional saddle-stitched or saddle cold-glued books (cold gluing is becoming the preferred method due to increased book strength, better lay-flat and easier operation). The SB-4 can also produce ‘perfect-bound’ books up to 60mm thick, in addition to thinner saddle-bound booklets.
High quality books require side-trim (in addition to front-edge trim) which is a standard feature of all Smart-binder models (except SB-1 where side-trim is optional).

2/ Will the number of pages in the book be changed ‘on-the-run’? If the system is to be used for short job runs, or ‘personalised’ books then it must be able to produce varying book thicknesses without having to stop for adjustments to be made. The Smart-binder range is unique in that it can produce varying thickness books ‘on-the-run’.

3/ How many different format sizes are needed?This will determine how flexible you need the system to be, and to whether additional sheet folders or turners are needed. If the system needs to be changed frequently to produce varying book formats, then this may mean an off-line finishing system is preferred.

 

 

4/ Are there any book security or integrity issues? Security and page integrity can be vital, for example when producing exam papers or insurance documents. This may influence your choice of system towards an in-line or near-line system where the continuous web offers a higher degree of document integrity than cut sheets. Special extra sheet-tracking (bar code reading or cameras) may be needed. Gluing may be preferred instead of wire-stitching to ensure sheets cannot be easily removed from the finished document.

5/ Are separately-fed covers, or ‘insert’ sheets, needed? The option for additional cover or insert feeders needs to be considered. The Smart-binder can be fitted with additional feeders, if required.

6/ Printer operating speed ? If finishing in-line then the printer speed will dictate the minimum number of pages in the book and whether any additional modules are needed (such as the optional F-100 folder for printer speeds higher than approx. 300 sheets/min)

7/ Is in-line finishing the right option ? For finishing with high-speed (continuous forms) digital printers, then it is often preferred to link the Smart-binder in-line to the printer and web cutter. In-line finishing usually provides the lowest cost and most efficient operation by reducing manual intervention and minimising time from printing to book output.

Another option for CF systems is to use a “near line” finishing system, where the printing process is roll to roll. The printed roll is then unwound through a web cutter directly into the Smart-binder. This has the advantage of being able to optimise running speeds independently for printing and finishing, but greatly extends the time between printing and book output. It also breaks up book sequence which may be important for long-run personalised document production.

Off-line finishing means producing piles of printed sheets which are then loaded into a sheet pile feeder connected to the finishing machine. This is ideal for finishing sheets produced from multiple printers, or when format sizes are changing frequently, due to the extra system flexibility. Pile feeding also results in a loss of book print sequence unless the piles are turned over in between stacking and re-feeding.
When finishing using the IBIS Smart-binder then some users prefer an in-line system, with an optional sheet-feeder on the side, which also allows off-line feeding (Smart-binder option SB-096).

8/ What paper weights will being used? The Smart-binder is best suited to weights between 60 and 110 gms (18 and 24-Lb. Bond). For lighter paper weights the use of the F100 folder (to pre-fold the sheets before entering the Smart-binder) and the anti static option ASS-100, are needed. Pre-folding requires 8-pages per sheet (instead of 4 ) and requires an extra glue system (in the folder) if using the ISG cold-glue binding.

9/ Do you need any additional options such as cut outs, perforations, loop stitching, hole punching, stacking ? The Smart-binder option list is extensive; allowing the end-user to produce many different booklet types. Examples include different types of binding (cold glue, wire stitch) the use of cut-out ‘windows’ in the cover, dynamic sheet-perforation for page tear- out, hole punching or drilling, book stacking and pile banding etc.

For more detailed information see our Smart-binder Application Guide booklet, available to download at: www.ibis-bindery.com/downloads.htm

yours sincerely

John Cracknell

Managing Director

IBIS Bindery Systems

www.ibis-bindery.com

Sales N. America :
Sales General :   

Don Piontek

tel +1 952 937 5100  

Don.Piontek@ibis-bindery.com

 

CP Bourg Inc.

Chuck Taylor

tel +1 508 998 2171 

c_taylor@cpbourg.com

John Cracknell

tel +44 (0) 1494 561950 

John.Cracknell @ibis-bindery.com