Small, Bold, Digital: Signal Print Captures New Markets with Müller Martini
In the heart of Tel Aviv, Signal Print shows impressively how small businesses can manage digital transformation. With only five employees, the company exclusively produces digitally printed products – focusing on saddle stitching and perfect binding up to this point. But now, Signal Print is venturing the next step with the Ventura MC Digital thread sewing machine from Müller Martini, taking up hardcover production.
The investment in a Ventura MC Digital not only represents a significant milestone for Signal Print, but it also marks the beginning of a new partnership with Müller Martini. With the thread sewing machine, the Israeli print shop is relying on state-of-the-art technology to now also produce hardcover book blocks efficiently and economically. The decision was no coincidence: In Israel, there is quite a market for religious books, which are primary produced as hardcovers. Signal Print would like to establish another pillar in this segment. “After seeing the machine live, I was convinced that it’s the perfect machine for our type of orders,” says Tomer Shir-hen, owner of Signal Print.
Digital printing on a course for growth
The company currently works with four OCE digital presses, set to grow to four soon. At the same time as the transition to hardcover, the production space has been expanded to 700 m², undergoing extensive renovations. Signal Print currently produces runs of up to 2,000 copies – in the future, orders up to 3,000 units should also be possible.
With the Ventura MC Digital, the company can produce thread-sewn book blocks in formats ranging from 120 to 510 mm spine length, both in single and multiple-up production. Many settings are made automatically, and the orders are easy to reproduce. The operator enters the production data practically and quickly on the Commander’s touchscreen.
Technology meets expertise
The new digital thread sewing machine was installed by an experienced service technician from Müller Martini. On site, he not only performed technical startup, but also provided employees, including a local service technician, with comprehensive training and ensured that everyone received a careful introduction to the new technology. Despite the challenging overall political situation, today Müller Martini is able to continue providing the team at Signal Print in Israel with reliable remote support in technical matters or when they are facing issues.
A look towards the future
And Signal Print is already thinking about their next move: A Uno compensating stacker from Müller Martini was also installed, streamlining workflows behind the three-knife trimmer. In addition, Signal Print is planning to purchase a Vareo PRO perfect binder for even more efficient softcover production. The company is turning completely to automation and digital networking, showing that even small businesses can take large strides with the right strategy and technology.
Tomer Shir-hen, owner of Signal Print (right), and Joseph Epstein von Levitt, Müller Martini representative in Israel, are pleased with the startup of a new Ventura MC Digital thread sewing machine in the newly renovated Signal Print production building in Tel Aviv.
