Digital Print Finishingfor digital printers

Nathan Broughton

Product Manager - Finishing

Ferrostaal Australia Pty Ltd

Agenda

• Market conditions

• Technical challenges

• Business challenges

• The technology

• Where the technology is applied

The future of digital print will be decided in the finishing department…

Frank RomanoSchool of PrintingRochester Institute of Technology

The document finishing market has changed

New methods of printing require new finishing techniques to overcome post-print challenges:• Curling paper

• Image cracking

• Static

• Reduce wastage

• Increase efficiency

• Save costs and increase profitability

Problem #1

Curling stock

• High toner fuser temperatures can cause stock to curl

• Stock becomes difficult to feed for finishing equipment

• Requires special techniques such as low-pressure suction to hold the substrate

• Accurate sheet alignment of the finisher is critical

Problem #2

Cracking ink / toner

• The crease ensures the ink/toner is embedded into the fibres / stock

• The crease enables easy folding

• The finishing process is fast and efficient

• The quality is professional

Problem #3

Static

• Printed stock is typically electro-statically charged

• Finishing techniques must overcome the problem

• Low pressure air suction must be used to handle & separate the sheets

The legacy of rotary scoring

Traditionally, rotary scoring machines used circular blades…

•Creates a ploughing action that actually cuts through the top fibres of the paper in order to create a score.

•This weakens the paper and encourages cracking.

Traditionally >> only two choices

Printers and finishers faced with the problem of cracking.

1.Use a platen or cylinder press – effective, but very slow to set up and demanded high skill levels.

2.Rotary scoring, which inevitably damaged the material. Resulting in white show-through on the spine of the folded document.

Overcoming the problems

Patented creasing technology

• “Crease & matrix” patent

• Embosses the paper

• Fibres are compressed, not cut

• 6 tonnes of pressure applied

• The crease is even across the sheet

• Unlike a rotary scorer this does not tear the surface, so there is no white show-through, even when the fold is made in an area of solid colour.

Overcoming the problems

Patented paper folding technology

• The “flying knife”• Folds…

– delicate digital stocks– cross-grained materials– heavy weight stocks

• No scratching and marking as seen with conventional folders.

Customers expect fast throughput…•Improve turnaround times

•Must be simple to use

•Bring the work back in-house

•No need for couriers or lost time

•Less wastage (spoils)

Increasing profitability

No need for specialist bindery staff•Lower cost of training

•Operators can be skilled in many concurrent print & finishing processes

•Common to see one operator for both print and finishing

•Add print engines without the need for further investment in finishing equipment

Reducing business costs

Where-ever there’s a digital printer

•There’s a need to crease & fold…

• Brochures, flyers, menus

• Creasing and folding covers

• Can be used for traditional offset printed work

Where are they used?

Summary

Digital print requires…• Specialised creasing and folding

equipment• Increase profitability• Bring the work in-house• Get a professional finish• Reduce waste• Minimal training• Ease of use

Questions?

Digital finishing for digital printers

Morgana products distributed byFerrostaal Australia