82 email: editor@printmonthly.co.uk Issue 362 - September | October CREASING, FOLDING, AND COLLATING | DAVID OSGAR by printers, for printers”. The company looks to solve challenges within automated laser finishing such as cutting, engraving, creasing, micro-perforation, and variable data finishing. Scheffler says that creasing in particular remains essential for applications such as greetings cards, packaging, and direct mail, but the process no longer needs to rely on conventional tool-based processes. “That’s why we developed our Motioncutter laser digital finishing systems in the first place,” says Scheffler, adding: “Having been printers ourselves, we understood the need for a platform that makes it possible to perform multiple finishing processes, including creasing, at the same time, with the option of job-to-job variability. “Digital finishing complements existing workflows by reducing the number of separate finishing stages required and making them better suited to today’s digital production environment. For example, with Motioncutter it’s possible to cut, crease, and personalise a greetings card or piece of packaging, all in one step, with customshaped labels able to be kiss cut on the same machine in one automated workflow.” Regarding relevancy, Paul Davidson, managing director of Encore Machinery agrees with Scheffler: “Creasing, folding, and collating equipment remains as relevant as ever in today’s print environment. While digital printing technology has advanced significantly, the need for high-quality finishing has become even more important. Customers expect professionally finished products, shorter turnaround times, and greater flexibility, which places increased demands on finishing departments.” When it comes to recommendations, Davidson says: “The Bacciottini Pitstop creasing and folding machines are particularly relevant because they address one of the biggest challenges in digital print – cracking on digitally printed and mailing houses, and packaging companies enhance productivity and improve finishing quality,” adds Davidson. What to Consider When it comes to what to consider when purchasing a creaser, folder, or collator, Jack Harris, managing director of Tech-niFold, a designer, manufacturer, and supplier of print finishing equipment, says these solutions are extremely important. “For any printer that needs to add a finishing capability it’s important that they can do so at a cost level that suits the amount of work they will be taking on so they can grow with that work. Without the availability of stand-alone finishing equipment there is no opportunity for smaller companies to grow.” As mentioned above, Harris stresses that printers should only consider equipment if it provides a solution that enables them to take on a bigger quantity or wider range of work. Tech-ni-Fold says it can provide businesses with a variety of options such as folding machines, saddle stitchers, and perfect binders. “We also have our own range of entry level print finishing machines that crease, micro-perforate, and cut up to 8,000 sheets per hour,” says Harris. When it comes to the biggest pitfalls Eindhoven University of Technology says creasing is a process which indents a section of corrugated board along fold lines to facilitate a neat fold. The most common failure site in a box made from corrugated board is at the folds, where the stiffness is reduced by the creasing operation Factoid heavier stocks. They enable printers to produce high-quality brochures, booklets, leaflets, and folded products quickly and efficiently, making them ideal for short-run and on-demand production.” Davidson also points to the GUK folding systems, which he says continue to play a vital role across the commercial print, direct mail, and pharmaceutical sectors. “Their precision, reliability, and ability to handle complex folding applications make them indispensable for businesses that require consistent accuracy and high production speeds,” says Davidson. Established in 2001, Encore Machinery is an independent supplier of printing and packaging equipment in the UK. “We specialise in providing reliable, high-performance solutions that help commercial printers, digital print providers, The number of sheets per hour a Tech-ni-Fold entry level machine can crease, micro-perforate, and cut 8,000 Customers expect professionally finished products, shorter turnaround times, and greater flexibility, which places increased demands on finishing departments ▼Encore Machinery’s options include the GUK K74 crossfold machine with pallet-feeder
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