Finishing & Screen Printing
A PERFECT INVESTMENT FOR PRINTWISE
Thursday 13. March 2008 - Suffolk-based printing company, Printwise, has increased the efficiency and flexibility of its finishing department with the installation of a new PLANAX Perfect-Binder FII, from leading UK finishing equipment supplier, Total Print Finishing Services (Total PFS).
Says Paul McGerty, managing director, Printwise: “We purchased the PLANAX FII binder from Total PFS late 2007 to meet demands for a low-run, high quality, perfect binding service in our newly established digital print division. Prior to installing the PLANAX FII, we could only stitch bind short-run work. However, it was becoming increasingly apparent that we needed a solution to produce short-run perfect bound books economically, but with a quality finish to match those produced on our two high volume production binding machines.
“Our business, especially on the digital side, is continuing to grow well, so we needed a binder that could accommodate both digital and litho stock and would be versatile enough to meet our needs both now and in the future. The PLANAX FII Binder is very straightforward to use and its speed and quality means its a very welcome addition to our finishing department.”
Built to meet the rigorous demands of the high-production litho and digital print house, the PLANAX Perfect-Binder FII is a small, compact cold glue binder. Cold glue dispersion is used to provide perfect binding of high-quality books and brochures in editions of 170 units per hour. Short set-up time, ease of operation and the flexibility to perfect bind litho and digital stock, due to its unique cold glue application, are all key features of the FII Perfect Binder.
Continues Mr McGerty: “As the FII is a cold glue binder the bound books have excellent lay-flat characteristics which our clients value. In the past we have also experienced problems binding digital paper with hot glue machines, which can often result in wavy edged books. The more flexible cold glue binding system enables the document to be finished to an exceptionally high standard with reduced paper distortion.”
Mr McGerty says he considered a range of equipment from desktop solutions to hi-spec machines and the PLANAX Perfect-Binder FII binder came out as not only the most effective in its class, but also producing a quality product that is on par with the companys more expensive production binders. “We had known about the PLANAX FII binder for some time and did a lot of research on the various options,” continues Paul. “The desktop options we explored didnt offer us the speed, flexibility or quality we required and were simply not tough enough to give us the confidence that they would last in a demanding commercial print environment. The PLANAX FII however, is robust with excellent engineering which is critical in an always-on print production house.”
“We were also very impressed with Total PFS and the service they provided us right through the sales and installation process. Total PFSs Dave Peters was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic and understood our business and the market we operate in. The team was also very helpful in terms of delivery, ensuring the machine was up and running to meet an urgent job we had to perfect bind at very short notice,” added Paul.
Says Dave Peters, joint managing director, Total PFS: “The PLANAX Perfect-Binder FII is a great solution for those litho and digital print houses that are looking for an off-line perfect binding machine that offers the highest level of binding quality but without the level of investment required to purchase a large in-line machine. Having the machine off-line also offers the flexibility to bind from multiple machines rather than being tied to one press. Were very pleased the FII has already performed so well at Printwise and is providing the company with the level of quality and versatility they expect.”
Founded in 1972, Printwise has been designing, printing and binding a wide range of printed materials over the last three decades resulting in consistent growth and a move to new premises in 2002. Based in Haverhill, Suffolk, Printwise is committed to a programme of continuous investment and improvement to offer that extra level of conscientiousness, enthusiasm and service that its clients demand.