US firm unveils fully automated on-demand book printing line

On Demand Books has created the Espresso Book Machine, which can automatically print, bind, trim and laminate a paperback book "in minutes".

According to On Demand Books chief technical officer Thor Sigvaldason, the machine uses standard laser printers for printing the colour cover and the black and white book block.

He said: "The printers are integrated into the machine, paper goes through the printing mechanisms and into the book assembly process in a completely automated way."

The Espresso is aimed at organisations that include book retailers, libraries and publishers. The machine can handle print runs of as few as one, with no mechanical set-up time or adjustment. Sigvaldason claimed that the unit cost of a book with a run of just one would be "exactly the same as the unit cost in a print run of 100".

Customers will be able to order a book over the web and On Demand Books' proprietary software will transmit a digital file of the book to a machine. The machine is designed to eliminate shipping and warehousing costs.

Beta testing of the machine has begun at the World Bank InfoShop in Washington, with further installations to come in the New York Public Library and the Bibliotheca Alexandrina in Egypt.

Sigvaldason added: "We are looking at the UK market and have been talking to a number of parties, including several large libraries. Based on the test at the World Bank, we are finishing engineering work on the final commercial design, which will begin production in two months."

On Demand Books was founded by US publishing executive Jason Epstein and Dane Neller. The firm's long- term strategy is to link its distribution network with worldwide digital repositories.

On Demand Books
- Founded by publishing executive Jason Epstein and business partner Dane Neller
- Espresso Book Machine can print, bind, trim and laminate paperback books "in minutes"
- The machine automates the production process
- The World Bank in Washington is beta testing the machine
- Further installations to come at the New York Public Library and the Bibliotheca Alexandrina in Egypt
- On Demand Books is looking to break into the UK market
- Final commercial design of the machine set to go into production in the next two months