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).

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).

To facilitate permeation of water when water is applied to the crimping range of a sheet made of a water-permeable paper material. A binding unit applies water to placed sheets and then crimp-binds the sheets. The binding unit includes a pair of pressure teeth (pressure teeth and receiving teeth part) provided on both the front and back sides of the sheets and configured to crimp-binding the sheets, a water reservoir provided on the back surface side of any one of the pressure teeth and configured to store water to be applied to the sheet, and a pressurizing member (piston) that pressurizes the water in the water reservoir to apply water to the sheet crimping range.

To facilitate permeation of water when water is applied to the crimping range of a sheet made of a water-permeable paper material. A binding unit applies water to placed sheets and then crimp-binds the sheets. The binding unit includes a pair of pressure teeth (pressure teeth and receiving teeth part) provided on both the front and back sides of the sheets and configured to crimp-binding the sheets, a water reservoir provided on the back surface side of any one of the pressure teeth and configured to store water to be applied to the sheet, and a pressurizing member (piston) that pressurizes the water in the water reservoir to apply water to the sheet crimping range.

A printing apparatus capable of producing a product having the optimum image layout dependent on a discharge destination even when saddle-stitching is canceled due to input of image data for sheets in excess of a limit of a saddle-stitchable number of sheets. The number of output sheets per one copy is calculated based on image data. When the number of output sheets per one copy exceeds a saddle-stitchable number of sheets, it is selected whether to perform the center folding processing on the sheets on which images are printed without performing the saddle stitching processing thereon or to perform neither the saddle stitching processing nor the center folding processing on the sheets on which images are printed.

A printing apparatus capable of producing a product having the optimum image layout dependent on a discharge destination even when saddle-stitching is canceled due to input of image data for sheets in excess of a limit of a saddle-stitchable number of sheets. The number of output sheets per one copy is calculated based on image data. When the number of output sheets per one copy exceeds a saddle-stitchable number of sheets, it is selected whether to perform the center folding processing on the sheets on which images are printed without performing the saddle stitching processing thereon or to perform neither the saddle stitching processing nor the center folding processing on the sheets on which images are printed.

A binding method of a perfect-bound booklet includes the steps of folding each leaf of sheets forming a body to obtain multiple signatures; pressing creased parts of the multiple signatures in a thickness direction thereof; jogging a one-book bundle formed of a predetermined number of signatures forming a body, a front cover, and a back cover, or a multi-book bundle formed by stacking a plurality of one-book bundles on top of one another; applying a first adhesive that remains flexible upon curing, in a layer in a middle area 5 to 10 millimeters from both top and bottom ends of a rear face of the one-book bundle or the multi-book bundle; applying a second adhesive on the entire rear face; and drying and curing the second adhesive for a predetermined drying time.

A binding method of a perfect-bound booklet includes the steps of folding each leaf of sheets forming a body to obtain multiple signatures; pressing creased parts of the multiple signatures in a thickness direction thereof; jogging a one-book bundle formed of a predetermined number of signatures forming a body, a front cover, and a back cover, or a multi-book bundle formed by stacking a plurality of one-book bundles on top of one another; applying a first adhesive that remains flexible upon curing, in a layer in a middle area 5 to 10 millimeters from both top and bottom ends of a rear face of the one-book bundle or the multi-book bundle; applying a second adhesive on the entire rear face; and drying and curing the second adhesive for a predetermined drying time.

Method for binding a bundle (5) of leaves (1) in a binding back (7), whereby the bundle (5) is placed in the binding back (7) with an edge (2) of the leaves (1) and fastened therein, characterised in that for the binding use is made of a bundle (5) of leaves (1) of which a strip (4) of each of the leaves (1) has been separately double folded beforehand along the same line to form a fold line (3) that extends parallel to and at a distance (A) from the aforementioned edge (2).

Method for binding a bundle (5) of leaves (1) in a binding back (7), whereby the bundle (5) is placed in the binding back (7) with an edge (2) of the leaves (1) and fastened therein, characterised in that for the binding use is made of a bundle (5) of leaves (1) of which a strip (4) of each of the leaves (1) has been separately double folded beforehand along the same line to form a fold line (3) that extends parallel to and at a distance (A) from the aforementioned edge (2).