While print service providers (PSPs) are constantly being encouraged to look at new markets and explore opportunities for expansion, it is important that they continue to deliver a high-quality service across their prime offerings. Be it leaflets or booklets, demand remains for this type of print and should certainly not be overlooked completely in favour of other ventures. For this reason, PSPs need to keep a handle on finishing for this type of work, which often requires some form of creasing, folding, and collating. There is certainly no shortage of new options to those companies seeking to evolve and improve their finishing. Here, we pick out some of the newest solutions available to the market and speak with manufacturers and suppliers about how new investment can help PSPs in the long run. Advance with Automation First up is Duplo, which offers a wide range of specialist print finishing equipment to the industry. Craig Harry, sales manager for Duplo UK, says automation, consistent high quality, lower power usage, built to last, and purchasing from an organisation that is continuously investing in themselves, are all factors to look for when investing in new kit. “As with any investment on finishing, it is hugely important to invest in creasing, folding, and collating technology,” Harry says, continuing: “Duplo automatic multi-finishers have saved customers hundreds of hours of manual work on simple everyday print jobs. “Automating this laborious task means that not only are you freeing up valuable time for your production team to get on with other more highly skilled work, but also all your products will be of a consistent high quality. Duplo have partnered with Fiery and Ultimate Impostrip to automate the production of simple finished items from start to the finished product. “With the increase in national insurance contributions in the latest budget it means companies are less likely to increase headcount even when their capacity is stretched. Thankfully Duplo multi-finishers help to lighten that load, with single operators able to work multiple machines at a time, due to bar code automation.” Harry says that Duplo invented the multi-finisher, a device that slits, cuts and creases in one pass. The Duplo range also perforates and folds in one pass, all tied in through Fiery and Ultimate automation. CREATING A STRONG FINISH With many key parts of the finishing process evident in printed applications, Print Monthly analyses the latest solutions in creasing, folding, and collating, speaking with manufacturers about the benefits of new investments in this field CREASING, FOLDING, AND COLLATING 37 January / February 2025 - Issue 352 www.printmonthly.co.uk
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