ANDOVER, MA – Standard Finishing Systems marked the close of the six-day Print 09 event by announcing strong sales results across their feeding and finishing product line, productive engagement on large customer projects, and a "worth-a-look" award presented to the new Standard Horizon StitchLiner 6000 system-for producing in-line saddlestitched booklets from a continuous-feed roll-as one of the most valuable post-press solutions to debut at the show.

"We felt Print 09 was well attended by key decision makers from all segments of the print industry" said David Reny, Executive Vice President, Standard Finishing Systems.  "Our VIP appointments were productive, and we recorded some major wins, but just as important was the opportunity to spend concentrated time with key customers, prospects and partners discussing their application requirements."  

Standard reported strong interest in the two in-line finishing solutions that premiered at the show, producing saddlestitched documents and complex direct mailers directly from a pre-printed roll.  Each line employed Standard Hunkeler core-driven unwinders and rotary single- or double-cut technology.  The direct mail line was paired with the new Standard Hunkeler FM6 plow-fold/web-merge module and the Standard Horizon AF-566F Digital in-line folder, featuring a slide-away register table that also lets the folder be used off-line.  These end-to-end solutions help fill the void for tightly-integrated paper handling and finishing that serves the fast-growing inkjet and digital color continuous-feed print markets.  

Each of these solutions brings substantial productivity gains with fewer human touchpoints.  "The new StitchLiner 6000 Digital is out-producing current saddlestitching solutions by a factor of two or more, depending on physical sheet count," asserts Standard Hunkeler Business Manager Johan Laurent.  "Our first StitchLiner 6000 Digital customer has been processing nearly one 50" roll per hour, with an average realized throughput of over 5,000 booklets per hour.  The complete technical integration of Horizon and Hunkeler technology has attracted attention, and is helping us address specific high-volume applications for our customers."  
 
A slate of other new product introductions included the new Standard Horizon BQ-470V (for "Variable") four-clamp perfect binder, equipped with a digital caliper that allows efficient EVA or PUR single-edition perfect binding; the new PSX-56 high-speed presser/stacker, for operation behind Standard Horizon AFC folders and SPF-class saddlestitchers; the new AF-566T4F buckle-buckle production folder with intelligent touchscreen automation; and the new Standard Horizon HCB-2 Case Binder, which allows hardcover book production with more automation and less operator skill than ever before, with a professional finished quality that is equivalent to the look-and-feel of commercially case-bound books.

"Standard's business today is helping our customers turn press sheets or digital rolls into value-added documents in an efficient, reliable, scalable and cost-effective fashion" commented Reny.  "The Standard Horizon post-press line is gaining market share in graphic arts, despite the slow economy, because we've demonstrated that we can help printers increase productivity, lower labor costs, and add to their bottom line."

In addition to the integrated solutions shown on the Standard booth, Hunkeler pre/post equipment could be seen in action across the show with continuous-feed digital print vendors HP, InfoPrint Solutions, Océ, Screen and Xerox.  According to Laurent, "We are making steady inroads in continuous-feed, working together with the leading digital print suppliers to offer best-of-breed Standard Hunkeler paper handling and integrated finishing solutions.  These efforts are bringing measurable benefits and return-on-investment to our partners and customers"