Vintage Chic
Throughout my career, I’ve toured many
binderies. I’ve seen the latest and
greatest in technology, and it’s always
exciting and impressive. However, I
can’t think of a single bindery I’ve toured where
I didn’t, at some point, say “What’s THAT?!?” as I
pointed at a weird, oft en dust-covered, contraption
in the corner.
I love the history of the bindery, the craft smanship,
and the amazing machines that have
been involved in the process—machines that
are sometimes still in use today. So I decided
to do something diff erent. As a starting point,
I reached out to 15 well-known trade binderies
across the US and Canada, and asked them a
question they were not expecting to hear:
What is the most interesting piece of vintage equipment in
your shop that is still actively in use?
I’m starting this series with four of the stories that came
out of the survey, and I want to be clear that every bindery I
reached out to also has modern bindery equipment in their
shop. I’m fi nding that today’s trade bindery is a wonderful mix
of olde world tradition and craft smanship, and more current
technology and effi ciencies.
I hope you enjoy this trip back in time!
Diane Newel, Case Binding Specialist,
On Line Bindery (Richmond, Calif.)
“Th e manual rounder, hydraulic backer, and sewing machine
in this video were originally from Shuberth Bindery in
San Francisco. Th e sewing machine was made by Muller-Martini,
and I think it is from the
1950s. We use these machines
for special editions, one-off
books, and for small runs of
books that need to be handfed
or are impractical for the automated
machine. Th e rounder
is used primarily for large
casebound law books that we
produce.
In contrast, we have a stateof
the-art Muller Martini Ventura
fully automated Smyth
Sewer, which produces longer
runs at impressive speeds. We
really have the best of both
worlds here.”
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Marty Anson, President,
Bindagraphics (Baltimore)
“Th is eyeletting machine is
occasionally used to make samples. It was made by Fifi eld
Shoe Machine Company (1930?), and is foot-powered with a
wooden base.”
Chad Dillon, Vice President of Operations and
Sales, BindTech (Nashville) and Finish Line
Binderies (Cleveland)
“I have the perfect piece of equipment for you, and it lives
at our BindTech facility in Nashville. Th is machine feels
like something out of a Frankenstein movie—it’s called the
Sheridan 4 Post Embossing Machine. We believe this was
built in the 1950s or 60s, but we are not 100% sure about
that. If you are looking for some of the highest quality in
embossing, debossing, stamping, or die-cutting, this is
your machine. We run it throughout the year because of
the defi nition this machine can apply due to the amount of
pressure it uses.
Th ere is a place for the new, shiny toys and we have plenty of
them. But, there is still a craft and an art that some of our legacy
equipment provides us. We have found a way to melt the
two together to be an industry leader in book manufacturing.”
Kevin Rickard, President, Rickard Bindery (Chicago)
“Our 1940-something Christianson hand-fed saddle-stitcher
will handle a 22-inch backbone and a 19-inch drop—which
is 4 inches more backbone and 5 inches more drop than
any modern machine. It was originally used for multiple-up
stitching formats, before trimmers were introduced in-line
with saddle-stitchers. Th ese days, it is ideal for large format
stitched books, such as real estate and corporate promotions,
school booklets, rock band tour brochures, and other oversized
products.”
What’s Hiding in Your Bindery?
I hope you’ve enjoyed this fi rst wave of vintage bindery chic.
If you’ve got something fun to share, I’d love to feature it on a
future edition of this series. Please send me a note at trish@
whattheythink.com.
By Trish Witkowski
Trish specializes in creative solutions
and engagement strategies for
direct mail and marketing. She
frequently travels and speaks to
print organizations and their clients
to illustrate the power of print.
PrintingNewscom August 2018 Printing News 17
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