Addressing the Future

The latest envelope printing and inserting equipment has a focus on variable data printing. But is this right for your in-plant?

By Kristen E. Monte

The in-plant staff is now more frequently made responsible for overseeing the mail operation too," says Kerri Renshaw, marketing manager at Gunther International. In fact, IPG data shows that 50 percent of in-plants now have mailing responsibilities.

As a result, envelope printing and inserting systems are becoming key components of many in-plants. But as those in-plants produce more variable data jobs, what effect is that having on the mail operation?

"Organizations that invest time and money to personalize documents devalue that investment when documents are mismatched or inaccurately processed," Renshaw continues. "An increased use of variable data printing requires more accurate mail finishing."

Having the latest automated mailing equipment, says Jeff Brewer, general manager of GBR Systems, lets in-plants "improve job turnaround times and reduce product waste, and thus re-prints."

Direct mail is on the rise, adds William J. Longua, manager of Marketing Services at RENA Systems.

"With e-mail becoming more of a challenge and the 'Do Not Call Registry' limiting options, many are returning to the old-fashioned mailbox," says Longua.

But there's nothing old-fashioned about the technology needed to handle these mailings.

"The demands on production mailers today, are far greater than they have ever been," says Doug Cowles, senior vice president of mailing systems at Gunther International. "The requirement to provide 100 percent error-free mailings, while controlling costs, requires advanced inserting technology that offers complete mail integrity and high throughput."

Here's a look at some of that advanced technology:

Presort From One Window

The PC-based Mail Manager 2010, from BCC Software, sorts and encodes. Users can make all presort choices from a single on-screen window by choosing multiple SCF, BMC and DDU discounts, and printing the documentation required to finish one mailing and move on to the next. Streamlined database maintenance, minimized mailroom production costs and built-in features, like BCC Data Services, help users stay on top of recipient moves by using the latest address correction utilities.

www.bccsoftware.com

Have An IMPACT

Böwe Bell & Howell's IMPACT Document Factory, one of the three major components of IMPACT Open Solutions, is a manufacturing automation system. Categories include IntellaCtr, an integrated suite of applications for managing inserting operations; JETS, which provides up-to-the-second job-level data about each process in the operation; WinSort, which streamlines complex tasks like USPS compliance, mail tracking and zip code sort schemes for maximum postal discounts; and TransFormer, a print-image and data manipulation software.

www.bowebellhowell.com

Envelope-filling System

GBR System's autoSET 18 is a modular, high-performance envelope-filling system designed to meet demands for simpler operation, higher performance, variable processing and intelligent control of machines. autoSET handles 18,000 inserts per hour, with an envelope loader capacity of 3,000 and an insert loading capacity of 4,000 sheets. It is easy to operate, requires minimum setup time, has an operator-friendly system layout and is modular.

www.gbr.com

Intelligent Mail Inserting

Gunther International's MS-6000 flexible and intelligent mail inserting system is modular, allowing for multiple system configurations that can accommodate various mail piece designs. With the convertible option, an operator can quickly switch the MS-6000 from folded to flat document inserting in minutes. The MS-6000 can support a range of corner stitching, nesting and subsetting applications. Even with the most complex applications, the MS-6000 reportedly maintains accuracy within any bar code environment and ensures error-free communications.

www.GuntherIntl.com

Variable Data Choices

inc.jet, Inc.'s versatile "jet.engine printer" combines HP ink-jet print technology with variable data printing technologies. jet.engine's applications also include address printing, imprinting, tickets and tags. The jet.engine print head provides personalization printing capabilities, giving envelope printers variable data choices.

www.incjet.com

Seven Envelopes Per Second

The K3000 Mega Mailer, from Kern International, produces 26,000 filled envelopes per hour, with a production speed of more than seven envelopes per second. Whether documents are printed on continuous forms or cut sheet, the K3000 is available with corresponding input devices. The K3000 can handle envelopes from C6 to C6/5, cut sheets ranging from A6 to A4 up to 1 station, continuous forms ranging from A6 to A4 up to 1 station and continuous forms ranging from A6 to A6/5 up to 6 stations.

www.kerninc.com

Envelope Addressing

Kodak Versamark offers a range of printing systems for envelope addressing. Its D-series products can accommodate a variety of addressing print widths and are easily integrated into hardware applications that move paper, such as inserters, folders or mail base systems. Kodak Versamark's newest addition is the DS4350 UV printing system. It provides 300x600-dpi resolution for any substrate, like glossy stock paper or UV-coated paper, with an output of 20,000 envelopes per hour.

www.kodakversamark.com

Inserts 6,000 Envelopes An Hour

The KAS Mailmaster 465HS flexible inserting system, from Mail Right, handles #10 to 10x13˝ envelopes, inserting up to 6,000 completed envelopes per hour. It offers quick changeover between jobs, durable construction, packing thickness up to 1⁄2˝, a pivoting touch screen control panel, sequential start up/clear down, simple top load, bottom feed, envelope low sensor and miss/double/jam detectors on insert feeders. This comprehensive, modular envelope system offers flexibility, durability and ease of setup.

www.mailright.com

Up To 4,200 Mail Pieces Per Hour

The Pitney Bowes DI800 Fastpac Inserting system brings the advanced technology of high-volume production systems to mailers of every size, by folding and inserting with cycle speeds of up to 4,200 mail pieces per hour. With the DI800, you can control and customize every mail piece, with the added flexibility to configure up to five modules to feed, collate and insert material. With optional Optical Mark Recognition (OMR), mail can be customized for billing and direct marketing applications.

www.pb.com

Digital Imaging System

The XPS-90, RENA's tabletop/console digital imaging system, is designed for long production runs. Features include automatic head positioning, a synchronized AF-635 feeder option, ultra quiet Tri-Channel AccuTrak vacuum transport, automatic cartridge cleaning and capping stations, production speed of 34,000 postcards per hour and production rates of 26,000 # 10 envelopes per hour. The XPS-90 prints addresses, attention lines and postal barcodes on mail pieces up to 11⁄16˝ thick and prints all major postal and industrial barcodes, including new 2-D barcodes.

www.renausa.com

True Synchronization

The Secap Jet 1 addressing and imaging system can be configured with 3˝, 4-1⁄2˝or 6˝ of print. The system improves productivity by offering true synchronization between the feeder, base and conveyor, reducing operator intervention. Combine the heavy-duty vacuum transport base with the high-capacity feeder to process large volumes of media, eliminating the need for additional operators. The high capacity feeder can easily handle 2,000 #10 envelopes at one time and output up to 30,000 envelopes per hour in super draft quality. Jet 1 is compatible with Windows 95, 98, 2000, NT, ME and XP.

www.secap.com

Separates, Singulates & Presents

The Reliant 1500 inserter/feeder, from Streamfeeder, precisely separates, singulates and presents virtually any type and size material to your inserter's gripper jaw. Job setups and changeovers are easily and quickly accomplished with the turn of a knob. The brushless and clutch-free motor provides dependable feeding performance up to 10,000 pieces per hour. The large-capacity hopper can be loaded from the front or from the back. The rugged Reliant 1500 is built to last with quality precision components.

www.Streamfeeder.com