Printers have been using guillotines to cut and finish print for the best part of 200 years. While modern solutions are a far cry from their ancestral machines, their purpose and end goal is very much the same – to cut printed pieces ready for full finishing and distribution to the customer. Of course, modern-day guillotines bring with them all manner of special attributes that make the whole finishing process easier for the print service provider (PSP). Whether this is automation to reduce manual touchpoints or userfriendly features like touch-screen controls, guillotines have come a long, long way over the past two centuries. In this feature, we catch up with several manufacturers active in this sector to not only learn more about their latest offering to the market, but also what printing companies should be looking for when they come to invest in a new guillotine machine. Automation Equation Eric Keane, managing director of Intelligent Finishing Systems (IFS) is first up to comment. He sets out how a guillotine is a vital component of any printing operation or in-house bindery, and that as fast-turnaround, short-run jobs increasingly define production demands, investing in a system that is simple to operate and quick to set up is key to maintaining smooth, efficient workflows. “Before making a purchase, printers should assess how the latest technology can enhance performance and deliver measurable productivity gains,” Keane advises, continuing: “For instance, from the cutting process to integrated quality-checking systems that eliminate operator errors, every stage of production can now be highly automated – delivering consistent, repeatable, high-quality results. “Intuitive technology enhances both setup and operation, enabling a dynamic bindery environment with streamlined production. Touch-screen controls allow for One of the most tried and tested finishing tools available to printers, we look at the latest advancements in guillotine technology, analysing how these new solutions can help print companies become more efficient SHARPEN YOUR FOCUS AND MOVE AHEAD GUILLOTINES | ROB FLETCHER 50 Issue 358 - January | February 2026 email: editor@printmonthly.co.uk
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