The new Plasti, the third model in the Plasti 350 range, is aimed at printers handling low- to mid-volume applications and features a fully automatic bursting system for double-sided lamination and a high-pile suction feeder able to handle stocks up to 400gsm.

It can laminate stocks up to 350mm wide and its top speed is 5m/sec.

According to Watkiss sales director Paul Attew, its big attractions are its £13,500 price, its ease of use and precise control over functions such as the gap or overlap between sheets.

“This really is a set-up-and-go machine designed for unattended operation,” said Attew. “It combines performance, ease of use and an enhanced feature set at an affordable price.”

Each of the two laminating rollers boasts independent adjustable temperature settings, in order to preserve the quality of the back print when laminating on one side only. The wide-diameter rollers provide consistent lamination adherence even at high speeds. The whole machine is controlled through new software operated by a single, intuitive, touchscreen control panel.

Watkiss communications director Jo Watkiss said the launch of PrintWeekLive! came at the perfect time for the UK debut of the new Plasti.

The company, which is the exclusive UK distributor for Italian finishing kit manufacturer Mamo, will also demonstrate a wide range of equipment at the show including a PowerSquare 224 bookletmaker for square-backed books, a Mohr guillotine and a Mamo perfect binder.

Previous Plasti models were the 350 FR with friction feeder and 350 ASP with suction feeder.