The invention concerns an automated method for manufacturing printed publications, for the flexible production, on demand, of a single publication or small series of publications. To this end, an automated method is proposed for the production of printed publications, each consisting of a content block (425) and a cover (426), according to which: the feasibilities of manufacturing the content blocks (425) of the publications are determined (414), an order of priority is established for the manufacture of the publications, the covers (426) to be assembled with the content blocks are manufactured, the manufacture of the content blocks (425) is ordered according to descending order of priority subject to feasibility, which takes precedence over manufacturing priority, and the content blocks (425) are assembled with the corresponding covers (426).

The invention concerns a process and a system for the digital printing of printed publications, for the flexible production, on demand, of a single publication or small series of publications. The process of the invention is an automated process for the manufacture of at least one publication printed from at least one sheet, comprising the steps wherein: a plurality of pages (1, 4, 5, 8) of the publication is printed (A) on the sheet (10) that is moved through a series of stations wherein, subsequently, the sheet (10) is folded (C) in half perpendicular to the direction of travel; the folded sheet (10) is pivoted (D) by 90 with respect to the direction of travel, and the edges (18, 19) of the folded sheet are trimmed to obtain separate, superposed leaves (16, 17).

Methods and apparatus for use with a trimmer to produce a plurality of books having different trim sizes are disclosed. An example method includes obtaining recipient data; based on the recipient data, generating an order to produce first books and second books, the first books having a first size and the second books having a second size, the second size different from the first size; and producing the first books and the second books in accordance with the order by: actuating a first backstop to enable a first book of the first books to engage the first backstop; trimming the first book with a cutting device; and actuating a second backstop to enable a second book of the second books to engage the second backstop; and trimming the second book with the cutting device, the first backstop at a first distance from the cutting device and the second backstop at a second distance from the cutting device.

Methods and apparatus for use with a trimmer to produce a plurality of books having different trim sizes are disclosed. An example method includes obtaining recipient data; based on the recipient data, generating an order to produce first books and second books, the first books having a first size and the second books having a second size, the second size different from the first size; and producing the first books and the second books in accordance with the order by: actuating a first backstop to enable a first book of the first books to engage the first backstop; trimming the first book with a cutting device; and actuating a second backstop to enable a second book of the second books to engage the second backstop; and trimming the second book with the cutting device, the first backstop at a first distance from the cutting device and the second backstop at a second distance from the cutting device.

A layout editing apparatus capable of editing a layout of a plurality of sheets in a layout editing area displayed on a display unit in a case where the plurality of sheets is to be book-bound after being printed includes a determination unit and a layout unit. The determination unit determines, in the layout editing area, a layout-inhibited area where a layout of an object is inhibited, at a position corresponding to a portion at which the plurality of printed sheets is to be bound, with a size according to information about bookbinding. The layout unit lays out the object so as not to overlap with the layout-inhibited area determined by the determination unit.

A layout editing apparatus capable of editing a layout of a plurality of sheets in a layout editing area displayed on a display unit in a case where the plurality of sheets is to be book-bound after being printed includes a determination unit and a layout unit. The determination unit determines, in the layout editing area, a layout-inhibited area where a layout of an object is inhibited, at a position corresponding to a portion at which the plurality of printed sheets is to be bound, with a size according to information about bookbinding. The layout unit lays out the object so as not to overlap with the layout-inhibited area determined by the determination unit.

This system is provided with: a conveying device 1 that conveys paper P along a conveying path F; a sheet paper supply device 2, paper-folding device, or cutter connected to an upstream end of the conveying path; a gathering device 3 disposed midway through the conveying path; a saddle stitch device 7 connected to a downstream end of the conveying path; and a management unit 13 that collectively controls the conveying device, the sheet paper supply device, the paper-folding device, the cutter, the gathering device, and the saddle stitch device. The gathering device can switch operation between a non-operating mode, a first operating mode for operating as a primary gathering device, and a second operating mode for operating as a paper insertion device.

A sheet processing device that bonds sheets to one another and then folds a resultant sheet bundle. The sheet processing device includes a stacker section that sequentially stores sheets moved thereto, an adhesive-binding unit that applies an adhesive onto sheets sequentially stored in the stacker section one by one in a sheet moving direction to bond the sheets to one another, a moving member that moves the sheets to an application position of the adhesive-binding unit, and a folding processing section that folds a sheet bundle formed by the bonded sheets at a predetermined folding position. When the number of sheets to be bonded by the adhesive-binding unit applying the adhesive onto the sheets exceeds a predetermined number, the adhesive is applied at two positions separated from each other across the folding position.

A sheet processing device that bonds sheets to one another and then folds a resultant sheet bundle. The sheet processing device includes a stacker section that sequentially stores sheets moved thereto, an adhesive-binding unit that applies an adhesive onto sheets sequentially stored in the stacker section one by one in a sheet moving direction to bond the sheets to one another, a moving member that moves the sheets to an application position of the adhesive-binding unit, and a folding processing section that folds a sheet bundle formed by the bonded sheets at a predetermined folding position. When the number of sheets to be bonded by the adhesive-binding unit applying the adhesive onto the sheets exceeds a predetermined number, the adhesive is applied at two positions separated from each other across the folding position.

A printing system comprises: a printing unit configured to print an image on a sheet; and a control unit configured to control to perform creasing at a first pressure at a portion, corresponding to an edge of a spine cover, of the sheet on which the printing unit has printed the image, and perform creasing at a second pressure different from the first pressure at a portion of the sheet that corresponds to a hinge.