Describe your business

We’re a jobbing digital printer and we’ve co-operated in this new photobook venture with Paul Saxby, a professional photographer, who has a studio in our building.

What does the machine do?

It produces lay-flat, edge-to-edge photobooks with a superior rigid card feel to the page. Photographic or digitally printed sheets are printed as spreads, creased and then folded ready for the FotoMount. It builds the page block by inserting a self-adhesive card-mounted sheet (200 or 850 micron) between each folded spread. Page blocks can be produced up to 8cm thickness and in sizes from CD to 460x460mm.

Why did you make the purchase?

We are always looking for innovative solutions to grow our business. Wherever possible we try to add value to the services we offer, such as personalisation, hand finishing, large-format posters, etc. We have the in-house facilities to meet our clients’ requirements from concept to delivery. High quality photobooks and wedding albums were a natural progression, particularly as we can call upon Paul Saxby, who does some wedding photography himself and is also a member of the Master Photographers’ Association. As we were outsourcing large-format poster work, we decided to invest in a Canon IPF 9100 12-colour wide-format press, which would also print the book block and other print jobs.

Why did you choose this particular machine?

We wanted to source equipment that could offer us the versatility to make a range of album sizes. We also wanted to manufacture lay-flat albums to satisfy the current trend.

Did you look at similar machines?

Yes, but none could give us the flexibility, the lay-flat feature and the quality at the same price point as the Fastbind.

What features do you like?

We like the fact that we can offer photographers the facility to sell high-quality albums at different sizes and, therefore, different price points.

How fast is it?

Speed is not the issue when you are selling top of the range albums. It’s the quality that counts. We complete about four albums a day, mostly with hardback silk covers.

Is it reliable?

Yes, it does exactly what Ashgate said it would.

What is the quality like?

Exceptionally good. Very consistent. We are producing albums that retail at around £500 so the quality of the print, book block and cover is paramount.
How easy is it to use?
Ashgate showed us how to use it and since then we have had no problems.

How much time or money has it saved?

This is a new venture. We will be able to save our customers a lot of time in having their albums produced in the UK.

Has it won you any new business?

Yes, our silk covered albums are proving popular at wedding fairs. We are also trying to make it easy for our customers and their customers by offering a no quibble guarantee as long as they buy a proof copy. We also produced sample albums of photographers’ own work, providing them with their own marketing tools.

Does it offer value for money?

The Fastbind kit is very affordable, but to do our sort of work you also need other high-end kit.

What about pre- and after-sale service?

We can’t fault Ashgate. It gave us a first-class service, including several samples before we ordered.

Who do you think the machine is right for?

It’s suitable for all types of printers depending upon the application they are going to use it for.

Would you buy another?

Yes. If we fill the capacity of our existing line, then buying more Fastbind equipment is a no-brainer because it has been a profitable investment.