Graffix Digital has installed a raft of new finishing kit from Ashgate Automation to bring more work in-house.

The Chesham-based business, which has recently relocated to new premises, installed the Ideal 5560 hydraulic guillotine together with a Kasfold Sprint 3000 bookletmaker and a TR 2 trimmer in April.

Managing director Michael Boyle said: “We used to have a three phase Polar 76 guillotine which we left behind on the understanding that there would be a perfectly adequate single phase machine in the new building.

“This did not prove to be the case so we looked at what was available on the market.”

The company, which runs a Canon imagePress C850 digital printer, specialises in short-run manuals, brochures, and booklets and offers a range of print, promotional, fulfilment and distribution services.

“As our print runs can be as few as 40 to 50 copies, machine speed was not the issue. We needed an easy setup which would enable us to produce quality products quickly in-house. Jobs often have to be turned round the same day,” said Boyle.

“We had built up a good relationship with Ashgate having bought several pieces of equipment from them over the years, so we asked their advice. We wanted to bring as much work in-house as possible.”

Ashgate recommended the Ideal 5560, an advanced programmable guillotine with a 560mm cutting length. Boyle said that while it was not the cheapest option, the kit gave the business the precision cutting, intuitive controls, and digital functions it required.

“Its programs allowed us to set up repeat work from day one. Operated by a seven-inch touch screen display, it provides faster cutting and clamping than previous models.

"Setup is fast and easy. Business cards and other repeat work fly through it and, most importantly, it is much more accurate than the previous guillotine.”

The new Kasfold Sprint 3000 bookletmaker produces A4, A5, and A6 finished quality booklets and is much faster and more accurate than Graffix Digital’s previous machine, Boyle said.

Each collated set is fed into the bookletmaker by hand, jogged from both sides, centre stapled, folded and front edge trimmed, if required. The device takes up to 25 sheets plus a cover which can be laminated.

The business recently produced 2,000 A5 booklets using the kit; a job it would previously have outsourced.

“We trust Ashgate. There is no hard sell,” said Boyle.

“They were on hand throughout the process from advice to installation and training. They are only a phone call away if we need their help or a service call out.”