The module creates mail pieces in-line from pre-printed sheets that are aligned, glued, folded, scored and fed to the standard envelope feeder on the CMC 150 to be inserted in the same manner as conventional envelopes.

Italy-based CMC has branded the combined system - including the CMC 150 inserter and the self-mailer - the CMC 150 Twin and said that existing CMC 150s can be field upgraded to the Twin format.

Once fitted with the module, CMC 150 users will have the option of using conventional envelopes or ones that have been created in-line.

The CMC 150 Twin was developed in response to a request from Israeli print firm Orda Print Industries for a paper wrapper that could handle short runs.

Previously the firm had relied on its CMC JWR Paper Wrapping system, which creates envelopes from a reel (either pre-printed or digitally printed on the fly) and inserts them in-line at 30,000 pieces an hour.

By comparison the CMC 150 Twin runs at 8,000 pieces per hour using the self-mailer or 10,000 per hour with conventional envelopes, making it much better suited to lower volume personalised mailings.

Orda Print Industries vice president of business development Yaron Assael said: "With this new technology, digital printers like Orda are able to create personalised high quality envelopes, during the inserting process and in the same time co-mingle and sort different customer's envelopes to achieve optimal response rates at the best postal rate."

CMC said that pricing for the CMC 150 Twin was available on request and will depend on a range of factors, including the input channel, number of stations and inspection systems.