The Watkiss Document Finishing System (DFS), believed to have cost the company around $85,000, has been installed in its Melbourne in-plant with the aim of taking some of the technical burden off graphic design staff.

The company installed the DFS last month, replacing a Nagel bookletmaker that had been at the Coburg factory for around five years.

Tobin Brothers’ printing operations are part of its ‘Memories and Tributes’ department, which produces customised printed matter such as memento cards and tribute books. IT manager Chris Tuttle told ProPrint the department might be called upon to produce a 24pp booklet for a funeral with up to 3,000 guests, and that the company only outsources print work in emergencies.

Tuttle said the company was attracted to the automation of the Watkiss machine, as print staff are more technically oriented in graphic design than printing.

“We were hoping that the Watkiss machine would give them a smoother ride,” he said.

“It’s pretty straight-forward, you just set it up and away it goes. So far we’re very happy with it.”

The DFS features a four-bin Vario sheet feeder along with a Bookmaster Pro, Trimmaster Pro, and Spinemaster unit.

The device can finish up to 5,200 A3 sheets per hour or 6,400 A4 sheets per hour, with stocks weights of 40-240gsm

The company purchased the Watkiss machine through ASAP Repairs, which was the servicing agent for its previous machine.

Tobin Brothers Funerals is based in Melbourne and operates 22 branches across Victoria.

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