RBC Ministries in Michigan has been using an Autobond spot UV varnisher inline with a thermal laminator to produce book covers since last September.

Last year Autobond started shipping the hybrid lamination and spot UV varnishing system it announced a couple of years ago at Ipex. The first UK user was Sense Creative in Darlington (Digital Printer July 2011). The second one went to the USA, to RBC Ministries in Michigan, which uses it for spot varnishing of book covers. This is Christian publisher that produces Bible study materials for worldwide distribution. In 2010 the ministry decided to bring its printing and binding inhouse.

To handle this it added two HP Indigo digital presses to its plant, which already included two offset presses and a range of post-press equipment, including a Horizon BQ470 perfect binder, Horizon HT80 three-knife trimmer, a Horizon StitchLiner5500/6000 saddlestitching system, and an embossing/foil stamp press.

Mark Hendricks, who was responsible for setting up the inhouse digital print centre, said: ‘When we made the decision to bring the production of perfect bound books inhouse, we knew right from the outset of the project that in addition to printing and binding the books, we would also need to laminate and spot UV varnish the covers. A solution that would allow us to do this in-house was essential, so we ordered the Mini 36 SD T laminator with inline 36 SUV inkjet spot UV.’

This can produce single or double-sided thermal lamination in one pass, with spot UV on one side of the sheet. Autobond’s managing director John Gilmore said: ‘The Mini 36 SD T and SUV can print gloss varnish over matt film in line at either 360 or 720 dpi, and from one to seven droplets per dot, with such accuracy that all seven drops can be printed exactly onto a period. The machine is environmentally friendly, using LED UV technology, which uses 80% less electricity than conventional UV, produces no ozone, lasts 12 times longer, and also runs cold, removing the fire risk.’

The Mini 36 SD T laminator was originally installed at RBC Ministries in February last year and the 36 SUV inkjet unit was fitted inline to this as an upgrade in September. Mr Hendricks said that he and his team are very pleased with the quality produced, using the two machines in line: ‘The laminator produces great quality, and we have been especially impressed with the accuracy of the registration. Another key benefit is that laminating and spot coating in line saves both time and money. Most importantly though, having the two machines has enabled RBC to do something we have never been able to do inhouse before.’

Mr Gilmore added: ‘RBC Ministries is a great example of the sort of organisation that can benefit from our inkjet spot UV technology. The SUV machine makes this process cost effective for short runs, opening up the possibility of spot UV varnishing for short run book printers, and enabling other digital printers, like Sense Creative in the UK, to offer spot UV on everything from brochures to business cards.’

Contact: www.autobondlaminating.com