The firm’s Kolbus PE 312 Foil Embossing Press was installed at the group’s Dalkeith factory last month.

Bindery manager Rob Landells said he was “very happy with the machine”.

“It is well built and will comfortably achieve the targets we have set.”

The group is using the press to produce desk and pocket-sized hard case-diaries and Landells said that the PE 312’s flexibility was a key draw.

It can blind, relief or film emboss a wide range of cover stocks, including rigid, flexible and plastic cases. Production speed is dictated by cover material and format, but it has a top speed of 85 cycles/minute, which typically equates to 10-80 embossings per minute.

Cover formats are from 155x100mm to 660x405mm for hardcovers and 135x100mm to 400x300mm for flexible materials.

According to Kolbus, the PE 312, which has a list price starting at €180,000 (£160,000) dependent on configuration, can be adapted for optimal processing of different materials by stepless adjustment of temperature and embossing pressure and by adjusting embossing time in steps of 10 seconds.

“The quick setup enables us to run big and small volumes too,” said Landells.

“Kolbus operator training is excellent and Kia Austin, one of six apprentices at the plant, is being trained on this machine to ensure continuity of operator skill.”

The Dalkeith site has run a number of Kolbus machines over the years, including perfect binders and three-knife trimmers, although this is its first Kolbus PE embossing press.

Greg Bird, Kolbus UK managing director added: “It was a thrilling project to install a Kolbus Embossing Press into such a highly skilled and historic book production site as FLB.

“Whilst providing increased production output possibilities, it was pleasing to be part of continuing to improve the quality of products that this business has developed and produced for many years.”

The group’s Letts brand is credited with developing the world’s first commercial diary in 1821.

As well as producing products for its in-house brands, FLB manufactures diaries and organisers for other brands and its customers include Amazon, John Lewis, Staples and WH Smith.