Printondemand Worldwide will open its revamped BookVault for the London International Bookfair at Olympia 5-7 April.
The Peterborough digital-only book printer has spent more than two years revising and updating the system to make it easier for publishers to upload titles and order printed copies and to automate what happens when a book is ordered.
At the same time the company has strengthen its message on sustainability through partnership with Ecologi to offset the carbon generated in book production. It has planted more than 2,200 trees to date and with every BookVault order automatically accounts for more trees. Other carbon offsetting projects are also being supported.
During the pandemic period the company has stood back and reassessed its operations, altering the production flow around the factory and increasing automation to be just as productive with fewer staff. The company runs Screen TruepressJet 520 HD linked to a Hunkeler line and on to Muller Martini Infinitrim and Vareo binder for book of one capability.
“The refreshed BookVault is designed as a complete online print solution for publishers and self publishing authors,” says a spokesman for the business. “It integrates technology and improved print processes with new digital features focused on publisher needs, such as built in self management and seamless integration into systems. Feedback from customers already using the Open Beta version is encouraging and we are fine tuning it before its official release when it will feature a new look and user friendly features.”
Managing director Andy Cork has also changed the way the business operates in order to reduce its environmental impact. Holding larger levels of stock reduces the number of paper deliveries needed, investment in further finishing equipment reduced the footprint from shipping to trade suppliers, and implementation of a dispatch control system to be more efficient in shipping, sharing deliveries where possible.
“Being green and sustainable is very important. It impacts our entire business,” says Cork. “For our customers, the good news is that apart from revising our business practices with the introduction of the BookVault, we are doubling our efforts to offset carbon emissions for our printing. Our pledge to match our customers’ contributions means that we will plant more trees, moving us ever closer to a greener, low carbon printing future.”
