Florjančič Tisk – on Course for Growth with a Diamant MC 60

In 2025, Florjančič Tisk began optimising its processes and workflows in the bookbinding department. The focus was on investing in the Diamant MC 60 hardcover book line from Muller Martini. With this step, Florjančič Tisk has repositioned itself in book production, is benefiting greatly from the gains in quality and productivity, and is well equipped for further growth.

The company is located in the heart of Europe, in Maribor, Slovenia, and has been producing books for renowned publishers throughout Europe since 1992. Today, it is managed by the second generation of Rok and Nac Florjančič. The two grew up in the printing company and learned a lot from their father. ‘Our father always told us that we had to stay on top of the latest technology,’ says Nac Florjančič. A tour of the production facility makes it clear that the two managing directors have followed their father’s advice.

From left: Frank Uhlemeyer, Regional Sales Manager at Muller Martini, the two managing directors Nac Florjančič and Rok Florjančič, and Rudolf Staffler, Head of Sales REE at Muller Martini Eastern Europe.

The printing company employs around 100 people and has a production area of 11,000 m². In order to respond to enquiries at short notice and meet increasingly tight delivery deadlines, 2,000 tonnes of material are kept in stock at all times. Another point that Florjančič Tisk attaches particular importance to is reliability throughout the entire production chain. Every step of the process is backed up. ‘This enables us to guarantee our customers absolute availability even at peak times,’ emphasises Rok Florjančič.

Wide range of print runs
Florjančič Tisk prints 11 million books annually – 5 million hardcover and 6 million softcover. Main markets are Germany and Austria, but it also supplies high-quality books to France, Italy, Spain and the Benelux countries. The average print run is around 2,500 copies, although there is a very wide range. Even for small print runs of 300 copies and above, the company is absolutely competitive in offset printing. At present, there is no immediate need to transition to digital printing. Instead, the company has addressed the growing demand for higher-quality finishes by introducing a digital solution for book cover finishing, including UV spot varnish and digital hot foil.

The printing room houses three Speedmaster XL 106 presses from Heidelberg – two eight-colour and one four-colour press. Nine folding machines, most of which are fixed to a specific folding pattern, then bring the sheets into the required format. This means that the folding machines are designed for efficiency, and the targeted use of robots has further increased automation. Florjančič Tisk is well positioned in the area of thread sewing with three inline systems – one being a Ventura Connect from Müller Martini – and two machines are used for perfect binding.

The Diamant MC 60 from Muller Martini is equipped with an automation package that ensures quick changeovers.

Successful investment in hardcover production
The management saw a need for action in hardcover production, which was no longer economically viable in the long term with the existing machines. Even the newest of which had been in use for 17 years. In addition, the supply of spare parts was becoming increasingly difficult. During a visit to the Muller Martini factory in Rahden, the two managing directors recognised the potential of the Diamant MC 60 and decided to go ahead with the investment. Installation of the new hardcover book line began on 30 June 2025, and just eight working days later, the first order was already being produced at a maximum speed of 60 cycles per minute.

From Rok Florjančič’s point of view, the Diamant MC 60 is optimally equipped and has the necessary flexibility to produce even unusual books with flexible or asymmetrical book covers. The book line is equipped with an automation package that ensures quick changeovers. Among other things, the format and contact pressure are set automatically. A camera monitors the cover feed, ensuring that there are no mix-ups. Thanks to its high degree of automation and the latest machine technology, the system is also competitive for smaller print runs.

Assistance from the service and support team
In addition, the book line is equipped with two headband stations, which also has a positive effect on set-up times. While the first is in use, the second can already be prepared for the next job. The quality achievable with the Diamant MC 60 is also significantly better, which is evident in the perfectly round book spines, among other things. Employees appreciate the intuitive user-friendliness of the machine and, at the same time, the active support provided by Muller Martini’s service and support team, especially during the start-up phase.

The integrated BLSD book stacker for gentle stacking and buffering of books.

The two brothers summarise their experience with the Diamant MC 60 as follows: ‘We are now significantly faster and more efficient. We operate both book lines, the Diamant MC 60 and the Kolbus BF 527, in single-shift operation only. This has given us the necessary reserves and allows us to cope with production peaks at any time in two-shift operation.’ The next step for the company is to invest in perfect binding. To this end, a 6,000 m² hall will be built in the first half of 2026 to create the necessary space.