Newsletter Archive: Fall 2009
Finish Strong
FULL SPEED AHEAD
Fall 2009
In This Issue
Crystal BallDigital Binding Capabilities
Easy Way to Impose Oblong Books for Mechanical Binding
It's Calendar Time!
CRYSTAL BALL
I just returned from spending a day at the PINE Management Conference where, among other speakers, Michael Makin, president of the PIA, spoke about what's to come in the next few years for us graphic arts professionals. I have always thought the PIA to project overly rosy forecasts that only the elite could hope to achieve. But this time Michael was straight forward in the PIA's assessment.
The PIA forecasts a continued decline in the overall level of printing shipments. The forecast projects a decline of about 3% in total printing shipments for 2010 continuing right on through to 2014. The figure for Ink on Paper is -4% for 2010. Digital has a growth factor of 1%, as do printers' ancillary services.
This was a surprise to me as I have felt that a pickup in the economy might return some media to the print side, as well as boosting the amount of existing print. However, all media are getting more sophisticated in the way they reach the customer. So perhaps that portends well for all media, including print.
The good news is that most of us who are still here are probably well positioned to prosper as this recession works its way out. We have seen a dramatic increase in business since August and printers that I talk to seem to be on the bullish side.
I just returned from spending a day at the PINE Management Conference where, among other speakers, Michael Makin, president of the PIA, spoke about what's to come in the next few years for us graphic arts professionals. I have always thought the PIA to project overly rosy forecasts that only the elite could hope to achieve. But this time Michael was straight forward in the PIA's assessment.
The PIA forecasts a continued decline in the overall level of printing shipments. The forecast projects a decline of about 3% in total printing shipments for 2010 continuing right on through to 2014. The figure for Ink on Paper is -4% for 2010. Digital has a growth factor of 1%, as do printers' ancillary services.
This was a surprise to me as I have felt that a pickup in the economy might return some media to the print side, as well as boosting the amount of existing print. However, all media are getting more sophisticated in the way they reach the customer. So perhaps that portends well for all media, including print.
The good news is that most of us who are still here are probably well positioned to prosper as this recession works its way out. We have seen a dramatic increase in business since August and printers that I talk to seem to be on the bullish side.
DIGITAL BINDING CAPABILITIES
Although we are known mostly for our traditional offset binding capabilities, digital printers need not be afraid of us. We are able to bind most anything that digital printers have to offer:
Specifically:
Perfect binding collated book blocks: We will trim your 1 up, 2 up or 4 up book blocks to singles and hand feed them into our binder. The key to good digital perfect binding is having the right glue. For most digital print engines, the right glue usually is PUR, the only glue able to bond to the toners and oils prevalent in digital printing. We at Seaboard have two machines that run PUR glue.
Mechanical binding (wire-o, plastic coil): With hand punches, hand inserters and quick set up semi automatic inserters /closers for any quantity, we can take finished book blocks or do the collating ourselves in our 30 bin Horizon collator. We stock most coil sizes, all wire-o sizes, clear acetate and have overnight access to vinyl covers and most any other supply typically needed with short run mechanical binding.
Index tabbing: We can tab cut or die cut any size or shape. Our tabbing machine can also apply mylar to the tab as well as reinforce the spine. Digitally printed tabs are no problem.
Film laminating: Our one sided machine is perfect for book covers and for short run two sided work. We work with all types of films, including the latest in high tack films for digital work.
Die cutting: pocket folders, CD sleeves: We make our own dies, and specialize in pocket folders and other small format items. Automatic folding and gluing is available for longer runs. Handwork options for short runs and complicated box pockets and multi-panel pockets.
We can combine film laminating, die cutting, tabbing and any kind of binding. Think about mechanical bound presentation flipcharts and reference guides.
Although we are known mostly for our traditional offset binding capabilities, digital printers need not be afraid of us. We are able to bind most anything that digital printers have to offer:
Specifically:
Perfect binding collated book blocks: We will trim your 1 up, 2 up or 4 up book blocks to singles and hand feed them into our binder. The key to good digital perfect binding is having the right glue. For most digital print engines, the right glue usually is PUR, the only glue able to bond to the toners and oils prevalent in digital printing. We at Seaboard have two machines that run PUR glue.
Mechanical binding (wire-o, plastic coil): With hand punches, hand inserters and quick set up semi automatic inserters /closers for any quantity, we can take finished book blocks or do the collating ourselves in our 30 bin Horizon collator. We stock most coil sizes, all wire-o sizes, clear acetate and have overnight access to vinyl covers and most any other supply typically needed with short run mechanical binding.
Index tabbing: We can tab cut or die cut any size or shape. Our tabbing machine can also apply mylar to the tab as well as reinforce the spine. Digitally printed tabs are no problem.
Film laminating: Our one sided machine is perfect for book covers and for short run two sided work. We work with all types of films, including the latest in high tack films for digital work.
Die cutting: pocket folders, CD sleeves: We make our own dies, and specialize in pocket folders and other small format items. Automatic folding and gluing is available for longer runs. Handwork options for short runs and complicated box pockets and multi-panel pockets.
We can combine film laminating, die cutting, tabbing and any kind of binding. Think about mechanical bound presentation flipcharts and reference guides.
EASY WAY TO IMPOSE OBLONG BOOKS FOR MECHANICAL BINDING
Oblong (landscape) books are more difficult to process than upright books. The smaller spine is more apt to tip over in the course of maximizing the machine speed. I would like to suggest that oblong books destined for mechanical binding be imposed to fold on the long side, enabling the machine to process the material faster.
This does not work for perfect binding, only for mechanical binding. Oblong (landscape) formats should be gathered and trimmed as an upright book, then turned on its side for punching and binding.
Here is an illustration:
Designing the signature to fold along the long edge allows for much easier and faster gathering of the text and reduces spoilage.
Oblong (landscape) books are more difficult to process than upright books. The smaller spine is more apt to tip over in the course of maximizing the machine speed. I would like to suggest that oblong books destined for mechanical binding be imposed to fold on the long side, enabling the machine to process the material faster.
This does not work for perfect binding, only for mechanical binding. Oblong (landscape) formats should be gathered and trimmed as an upright book, then turned on its side for punching and binding.
Here is an illustration:
Designing the signature to fold along the long edge allows for much easier and faster gathering of the text and reduces spoilage.
IT'S CALENDAR TIME!
Now is the time to get your calendar clients down to business. It's just 6 weeks until the end of the year and based on what we have seen so far it has been a strong calendar season.
Seaboard offers several kinds of calendar styles from the basic saddlestitch with drill hole right up to 18" x you name it large format calendars with thumb cuts and hangers. Our website blast from the past at www.seaboardbindery.com/tips-jobplanning.html shows illustrations of each style.
TIP: Be sure you proofread your calendars! Every year we seem to find at least one double date or skipped date. Needless to say, those mistakes can make your calendar OUT of date.
Now is the time to get your calendar clients down to business. It's just 6 weeks until the end of the year and based on what we have seen so far it has been a strong calendar season.
Seaboard offers several kinds of calendar styles from the basic saddlestitch with drill hole right up to 18" x you name it large format calendars with thumb cuts and hangers. Our website blast from the past at www.seaboardbindery.com/tips-jobplanning.html shows illustrations of each style.
TIP: Be sure you proofread your calendars! Every year we seem to find at least one double date or skipped date. Needless to say, those mistakes can make your calendar OUT of date.