• Modular, integrated solutions prove their mettle in a changing marketplace.
• Digital finishing options at Graph Expo and in the pipeline.

Kennesaw, Ga., – Heidelberg's flexible approach to postpress operations will be on full display at Graph Expo 2011. Visitors to Booth 1200 not only will learn about Heidelberg's extensive portfolio of commercial postpress solutions-the largest in the industry-but also will see Heidelberg finishing solutions handle materials printed on conventional Heidelberg presses and output from its toner-based Ricoh and VUTEk digital inkjet devices.
 
As You Like It
As the market moves toward shorter print runs and faster delivery times, printed materials arrive ready for finishing off a variety of output devices. Finishing requirements are met with a variety of in-, off- and near-line solutions, depending on run length and volume. In this new environment, postpress solutions that add value, improve performance, ensure quality and reduce costs will rank high on any list of commercial printers' must-have investments.

Heidelberg finishing solutions are engineered to meet printers' need for equipment that will help them navigate today's challenging and competitive landscape. At Graph Expo 2011, visitors can expect to see the Ricoh Pro C901 Graphic Arts Edition press with in-line Booklet Maker and Cover Imposer; the versatile KAMA ProCut 74 platen die cutter and foiler, and the equally flexible KAMA ProFold 74 specialty folder-gluer, both for small- to medium runs; the Stahlfolder TH 56 6/4 pile-fed folder with vacuum table, card-tipper and HHS in-line gluing and camera inspection system; in addition to the new POLAR 92XT Plus with Compucut and bar code scanner.
 
Special Handling
In addition, now, and in the coming months, Heidelberg will bring several new digital finishing solutions to market in the areas of scoring, slitting, perfing, cutting and trimming, as well as perfect binding, packaging, in-line solutions, mailing, and feeding and delivery products.
 
Among three new knife- and rotary slit/score/perf devices designed to promote the gentle, expeditious handling of digitally printed output, for example, are the DG Creaser and the 20" USA B20 SPS rotary device. For folding, Heidelberg's new 714 folder series is available in manual and automated versions, as well as in a unique mailing version with integrated gluing.
 
Another exciting area is digital, or short-run, packaging. Interested visitors should be sure to check out Heidelberg's multi-purpose KAMA ProFold folder-gluer and KAMA ProCut die-cutter. Each of these machines is designed to yield a production-quality product with the speed for longer runs, as well as the ability to set up in minutes for short runs. At Graph Expo, the new 714 XA folder with gluing for mailing applications also will be available for inspection in the Ricoh booth (#2600).
 
Seeing Is Believing
Heidelberg postpress experts will be on hand in Booth 1200 throughout the show to discuss how Heidelberg can help printers improve their finishing operations, expand their postpress expertise, and make their businesses more efficient and profitable. Of special note will be daily demonstrations showing the finishing of materials for a hypothetical integrated marketing campaign produced using both conventional and digital equipment. Examples include integrated cutting on Heidelberg's new POLAR 92 XT PLUS cutter equipped with bar code reader and networked via Compucut; an 8-page glued booklet with tipped-on product using Heidelberg's Stahl TH56 flexomailer system; a die-cut pocket folder with inserted letter; and a short-run golf ball box finished on the KAMA ProCut 74 and KAMA ProFold 74 folder-gluer.