The trend toward smaller runs is continuing inexorably. The book market is continuously being supplied with new titles. The desire for individuality and topicality with books – as already evident with other print products – is increasing too. Unsold copies are being removed from book store shelves after ever shorter periods of time. Simultaneously, there is demand for older titles to be available for a longer time. Since sales figures, in general, remain virtually unchanged, this multitude of titles leads to an even lower demand for individual titles. Until now, smaller runs could not be produced cost-effectively. The reason: Initial costs for conventional web-offset-printing methods.
Muller Martini has the answer to this challenge: SigmaLine – the unique total solution for digital book production. The SigmaLine makes systematic use of the advantages of digital printing. It networks digital printing and finishing in one unique overall system, enabling fully-automated production in one operation – from the roll to the completed book. Only this consistent integration and linking of all component processes enables short runs to be produced extremely quickly and economically. |