Examining the State of the Bindery

The impact of JDF on postpress processes, in its role as an automation enabler, is a matter of debate. According to Mason, the biggest impact has been felt in folding and cutting areas. Cuts and folds, he notes, are easy to program. But an issue arises with legacy equipment.

“Folders and cutters do not wear out or become obsolete in terms of their basic functions,” he says. “And while these machines can be retrofitted to streamline programming, many companies find it difficult to commit funds to what may seem like aged, inconsequential machines or only one step in a long, complex chain of postpress processes. To an extent, modernizing one or two postpress machines seems like strengthening only one or two links in a chain; the strength of the overall chain remains defined by the weakest link.