Puurs – Unibind, specialist in binding systems for photo prints and personalization solutions for photo books, is to showcase at Photokina 2010 a raft of innovative new products for the fast developing photo book market. Taking centre stage is the unique Photos & Sounds, a photo book that combines images with music and voice recordings, and is set to transform the photo book market. Other products on show that will help businesses create new commercial opportunities include the HardCoverMaker 650M, an easy-to-use and cost-efficient solution for producing personalized photo book covers in-store. Also present at Photokina is the Foil Xpress digital printer, which enables quick and simple one colour foil printing onto photo books.

Photokina takes place September 21-26 in Cologne. Unibind can be found in Hall 4.1, at booth F040-G049.

Photos & Sounds – photo books that say more than a thousand words
The new and unique Photos & Sounds is the first photo book to incorporate sound into the cover and is set to take the photo market by storm. Users can record a personalized voice message such as a birthday greeting, or use pre-recorded music or popular songs, such as Christmas carols and Happy Birthday tunes. It will surely attract the attention on the shelves and therefore is an interesting new business opportunity for retailers.

This high-quality product combines Unibind's innovative Staple SteelBinding technology with the award-winning 'talking technology' from US company, Dinotalk. The Photos & Sounds PhotoBook integrates this talking technology into the front cover, enabling users to record a personal message matching the securely bound photo prints.

Esmeralda Peleman, CEO at Unibind's headquarters in Belgium, says: "Photos & Sounds responds to the growing trend for personalization and lends photo books that extra touch of personality. We anticipate much interest in this technology as the possibilities are limitless and the technology is easily understood by end users.

Photokina is a perfect backdrop to showcase our innovative new products. We are looking forward to meeting existing and new customers, and helping them find new ways to set themselves apart in a highly competitive market.

HardCoverMaker 650M – Unique, personalized photo book cover solutions
The HardCoverMaker 650M is a user-friendly and cost-efficient in-store system created in response to the growing demand for personalized photo book covers. The system features the patented 'CasePlano', a pre-made, FSC-certified cover from Unibind that is wrapped together with the print for the cover. It is a completely dry concept – no liquid chemicals or glues are required. This environmentally friendly solution requires extremely low maintenance, and helps businesses cut costs by eliminating the need for skilled operators.

The recently introduced CaseMaker 750A offers the same opportunities for personalized, high-quality hardcover production on an industrial scale.

"The HardCoverMaker 650M meets the growing demand for photo books with personalized covers," adds Peleman. "It extends the possibilities of the dry minilabs, and offers retailers and photographers a fast, user-friendly and cost-efficient in-store tool to produce personalized hard covers." 

Shining examples with Foil Xpress
The Foil Xpress digital printer offers another business-enhancing opportunity to personalize photo book covers. Instead of having a full-colour personalized cover, it enables names, titles, logos etc to be printed in a one-colour foil print. The system is ideal for a range of applications, including book covers, dated items, photo albums and business gifts.

Foil Xpress couldn't be easier to install – it simply connects to a computer and is operated like any other printer. No dyes are required, and it eliminates the need for printing tools and complicated set-ups. Plus it is very cost effective, especially for short and personalized runs.

Unibind press conference
You can learn more about Unibind's exciting portfolio at its Photokina press conference on Tuesday September 21 at 14h (Congress Centre North, Room D).