are essential. On top of this, Hudson says Hybrid workflows are another exciting development, with jobs that start digitally and finish inline or nearline with minimal handling, adding that flexibility is now the common denominator across all these growth areas. With this, Hudson goes on to set out what PSPs should look for in a quality bookletmaker if they are to take advantage of the latest trends and demands. He says the focus should be on three primary factors: automation, versatility, and reliability. applications, bookletmaking remains a core and profitable part of the market. “Well-finished documents still deliver a tangible, premium impact, which digital communications can’t replicate,” he says, continuing: “Whether it’s marketing collateral, product manuals or educational materials, printers continue to see strong demand for high-quality, short-run booklets. In fact, as run lengths shorten and job variety grows, bookletmaking is becoming even more critical, because it’s increasingly the point where printers can differentiate on value, speed, and quality.” Growth, Hudson says, is being driven by on-demand digital production and the expanding range of applications being printed on cut-sheet digital presses. He explains that corporate print rooms, commercial PSPs, and in-plant operations all want faster turnarounds and lower waste, while Plockmatic is also seeing strong interest from packaging, photobooks, and personalised print segments, areas where high-quality presentation and fast response “A modern bookletmaker needs to handle diverse job types without complex setup or operator intervention,” Hudson says, adding: “Intelligent automation is key; systems should adjust automatically to sheet size, thickness, and pagination. Versatility is also crucial – the ability to produce everything from small leaflets to thick, squarefold booklets with precise trimming, all at consistent quality. “Finally, reliability matters more than ever in short-run work. Equipment that integrates smoothly with digital presses, switches between tasks at the touch of a button, and delivers predictable results is what keeps workflows moving efficiently.” Plockmatic’s latest platform in this segment comes in the form of the Morgana BM4000 bookletmaker, which Hudson says brings the aforementioned principles together in one intelligent, modular system. Designed for high productivity in digital and litho environments alike, it produces booklets up to 140 pages and adapts instantly between jobs. The BM4000 offers automated setup, squarefold spine forming, and precision trimming, all controlled through a touchscreen interface. “The BM4000 also reflects the direction our industry is heading: smarter connectivity, shorter turnaround times, and higher-value output,” Hudson says, adding: “From a single operator’s perspective, it’s about control and confidence. From a business standpoint, it’s about throughput and profitability. Whether running inline with digital presses, or as a nearline system, it enables printers to deliver exceptional results with minimal waste and downtime.” Saddle-stitched booklets use mechanical binding only and do not require any glue. Pages are secured by formed wire staple, known as stitches, driven through the folded spine Factoid ▲ Ed Hudson, UK general manager at Plockmatic Group, says bookletmaking remains a core and profitable part of the market ◄ Plockmatic’s BM4000 offers automated setup, squarefold spine forming, and precision trimming BOOKLETMAKERS | ROB FLETCHER 64 Issue 359 - March | April 2026 email: editor@printmonthly.co.uk
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