Today, faster, better, and cheaper are the requirements of printing customers, especially magazine printing and catalog printing. Customers want high-speed binding without increasing costs or lower costs. This trend is determined by the fast, personalized and targeted customer requirements. Today is the age of information explosion. Information is calculated in hours, minutes and even seconds. For printers, speed (rather than web format) has become the basis of competition and the key to ensuring the long-term development of the post-press processing industry.
First, the intelligentization of post-press processing equipment Existing equipment has too many processes. Plug and play doesn't have much value. Intelligent devices are used in smart systems. To make the process smooth, we must eliminate the gap between the processes. In fact, to shorten the cycle, the integration between processes is a must. For example, post-press processing has been extended to the mailing section. Postpress processing is responsible for all mailing information, from the address of inkjet or labeling to sorting and delivery to the postal service. In the past, these delivery-delivery technologies shortened the time the printed product left the press. If the prints are ready to be processed directly, the work cycle will be greatly reduced.
Second, the automation of postpress processing In recent years, many printers invested a lot of money in prepress and printing, and made great progress and reduced costs. But for companies that have little or no investment in binding, they can only get very small output and prices increase. These companies will find that after 2001 they must pay more attention to the postpress and the binding part, as well as automation technology.
First, automation of postpress processing can save money. Most devices have automatic adjustment functions instead of manual labor. The operator can control cutting, sewing, or folding by simply adjusting a few buttons on the console. Of course, old machines can do well, but new equipment is easier to adjust.
For example, the new folding machine has a zero adjustment function to automatically adjust the bending plate. This feature allows the operator to fine-tune the plate simply by turning the knob, without having to remove the roller as before (at least two talents ). The CNC of the console saves a lot of time. Some manufacturers such as Heidelberg, MBO, Manroland have already put the corresponding products into the market.
Outsourcing is also seen as a good way to save money, but a coherent workflow also serves the same purpose. Current third-party systems, such as a QTI product, allow control of printing on a console including stapling. To improve efficiency, future workflows include all printing processes. CIP3 was born for this.
The CIP3 system is based on international standards. This international standard is called pre-press, printing, and post-press integration. CIP3 means pre-press, printing, and post-press integration. It was initiated by Heidelberg and now 33 manufacturers and one printer support this system. This system combines the various parts of the print to shorten job preparation time. In the prepress and printing area, CIP3 has been applied, such as adjusting ink volume and controlling color. Currently Polar's CompuCut, Stahlfolder's CompuFold and MBO's Navigator all support this system.
CIP4 is the next generation standard. It contains all the features of CIP3 plus ADOBE's standard file format, JDF (Job Definition Format). Currently used electronic files contain only print information, and CIP 4 also contains the entire workflow and feature descriptions on different platforms. Doing so can control process variables and improve quality.
The entire printing industry, especially the post-press processing sector, lacks qualified and skilled workers. The binding part is trying to solve this problem. The first step is to use ergonomically designed equipment. It can increase productivity without too much training for employees. We can see that working hours have been greatly shortened and new equipment has been designed to become more and more perfect.
The cutting machine illustrates the development trend of ergonomics. The cutting system reduces the operating time, the overall efficiency is 200% of the individual cutting machine, reduces the overall cost, and stabilizes the operation. Equipment that adjusts paper, such as stackers, bumpers, and waste collection systems, reduces operating time and improves control accuracy. The goal of the cutting system is to increase efficiency and reduce labor intensity. To point out that Europe is now a popular mobile paper feeder. The paper feeding mechanism can be transferred from the printing press to other processes, such as folding machines. It is not necessary to reload the paper onto the folder.
Third, diversified printers in post-print processing are trying hard to provide consumers with more effective processes and equipment, and so are post-press processors. Over the past few years, many post-press processors have added processes, UV coating, laminating, folding/gluing and even printing operations in post-press processing, which has enhanced the competitiveness of post-press processing.
Rotary bronzing and embossed gravure have opened up new markets. There are two main methods of rotating bronzing: narrow web reel bronzing and sheet-fed hot gilding.
Narrow Web Rotary Gold foil stamping unit used in gravure printing machines. With the development and speed of bronzing technology. Gravure printing presses have been able to produce at low cost and high speed. The market for narrow-web roll bronzing is very broad. Especially for instant printing, such as trademark and cartoon printing. Large quantities of labels can be incorporated into decorative processes in narrow printing, such as bronzing and embossing, which require little additional cost. Hot stamping and embossing are no longer expensive for consumers who need to process high-volume prints. Narrow web reel bronzing opened up the market and attracted more attention. At the same time, it also poses a threat to sheetfed printing (such as the trademark printing of wine), but the development of bronzing and embossing will facilitate the development of the printing market.
Sheet-fed hot stamping is performed using a curved die on the drum. Although it does not print and bronze online like the narrow web bronzing, it is still faster than standard pattern printing. This is good for mass production of cartoons, greeting cards, book cases and other similar items. The more mature and familiar the process is, the faster the business rises and the better the position of post-press processing. (To be continued)