Enfield-based commercial printer Print4UK has installed a new Duplo DBM-600 Digital Booklet System to automate its booklet production operations, particularly for A4 landscape format books.

The winner of the 2022 Digital Printer Awards Supreme Award, Print4UK has been exceeding its growth targets in recent months. Managing director Chris Brady said, ‘I knew it was the right time to introduce a booklet system that complemented my business model. Prior to installing the new machine, the production of A4 landscape booklets was not as efficient as it could be. Since purchasing the Duplo PFi Blade, our state-of-art digital die-cutting table, almost two years ago, I was conscious we also needed to re-evaluate our booklet production and Duplo had proved to be the perfect partner.

‘With an increase in the number of jobs, we really needed the automation and faster turnaround that the DBM-600 gives us. What’s more, with the acquisition of an automatic booklet maker and the accompanying efficiency savings, we were able to retrain and redeploy our valued workforce into other areas of the business.’

Print4UK opted to include the DSF2200 long-sheet feeding mechanism for A4 landscape booklet production. This supports formats from 90 x 75 to 300 x 300mm and paginations from 30 sheets to 120-page booklets. ‘The addition of the DSF2200 long sheet feeding mechanism was a no-brainer,’ said Mr Brady. ‘The eight-belt feeding system with active air management is dependable, reliable and accurate. Feeding a wide variety of paper types and weights, the first booklet is always as good as the last.

‘Once set up, the system runs extremely well. It’s easy to use, and our operators love it. The training delivered by Duplo was comprehensive and we were producing live jobs almost immediately. It’s only been a few weeks but the main operator has built up a lot of confidence using the Duplo booklet-maker. It delivers exactly what we needed and more. We’re now putting folding jobs through the system because it’s so much fast than our current folder,’ he added.