Commercial printer KopyKat has moved into on-demand niche book production after installing a Horizon BQ160 PUR perfect binder from Intelligent Finishing Systems.
The Shoreditch-based company also bought a Kirikko SK21m card cutter.
It said it has received a noticeable increase in requests for PUR adhesive, which offers a superior bind to traditional hotmelt glue, while digital print has also increased.
Founder and director Phil Moretti-Greene said: "We wanted to be able to offer an on-demand binding service. We were doing the odd ‘walk-in’ job but the market for this is now opening up and we wanted to be able to capitalise on the opportunity.
"We are getting more students coming in asking for their work to be bound and we also do a number of ‘fashion-look’ books. These were being wire bound before but perfect binding gives a more professional result – and the PUR means they can still lie-flat without fear of the spine breaking."
The BQ160 has multiple operation modes, including cover, without cover, tape bind, padding, notching and without notching. It features increased nipper strength and variable settings as well as stand-by mode to prevent the glue breaking down.
Thirty-year-old KopyKat offers an array of services including corporate stationery and large-format posters. The £1.2m-turnover company, which employs 12 staff, runs a selection of digital and litho machines including a Screen Truepress 344, five-colour Komori Lithrone 28 press, Xerox Docucolor 700 and 5000 and Epson Stylus Pro 9800 and 11880 large format inkjet presses | 
