Plockmatic International, Sweden, announces the release of its BLM5000 series production booklet maker for inline integration with Canon’s imagePRESS V1000 and V1350 digital toner presses.

Designed for customers with mid- to high-production volumes, the device offers the scope to produce A4 and “letter” landscape format booklets, in addition to regular sized, portrait format booklets. It allows for square-back folding and full-bleed three-side-trimming to remove feathering on the outside edge from folding multiple nested sheets. Available with staple or stitcher heads in 50- or 35-sheet versions, the BLM5000 will extend the application capabilities of print businesses, especially those producing long-sheet “banner” prints with the imagePRESS. The stitcher unit can include two to four ISP stitch heads. The new range of applications include landscape format, with jobs two-up and more.

Whilst the BLM5000 can be installed inline with a Canon printer, it can also be supplied with an optional Plockmatic VFX feeder to create an offline or nearline configuration. The VFX is a high-capacity Vacuum Feeder capable of efficiently feeding a wide range of paper types and weights, with speeds of up to 15,000 sheets per hour.

The BLM5000 booklet maker joins the Plockmatic BLM 550+ and BLM 50/35 systems among the range of high-performance third-party finishing devices offered by Canon, enabling the creation of tailored and highly automated end-to-end production solutions. The integration of these systems also allows print service providers to produce a broader application mix, generating more business growth opportunities.

“We are really excited to expand and solidify our business relationship with Canon adding the new BLM5000-series into our joint portfolio of solutions offered to customers. The BLM5000-series will broaden the offerings to customers allowing for a wider range of applications and drive volumes for the printing community. Fulfilment is more important than ever – allowing for printers to provide end-to-end solutions to their customers and with the launch of the BLM5000-series more finishing options are available and adding to the business opportunities”, says Johan Mikaelsson, VP Business Unit Inline, Plockmatic Group.

Jennifer Kolloczek, European Planning, Marketing & Innovation Senior Director, Production Print at Canon Europe commented: “Our digital print customers continue to look for new ways to produce professional-looking documents at shorter run lengths, while maintaining or increasing profitability and productivity. This calls for more seamless end-to-end workflows, making cost-effective inline finishing solutions a critical success factor. The latest Canon imagePRESS production printing systems can manage an unprecedented range of substrates and sheet sizes, while delivering exceptional image quality levels, so we’re pleased to be able to offer a productive and reliable booklet maker that is equipped for our customers’ production demands.”

The BLM5000 series is available via Canon sales offices throughout EMEA, for inline configuration with an imagePRESS V1000 or V1350. Four stitch-head configuration, 50-sheet option for stitcher version, and offline configuration are not available in EMEA region.

The BLM5000 series is available via Canon sales offices throughout US, for inline or offline configuration with an imagePRESS V1000. V1350 support will be confirmed in the future.