Thumb-indexing and coating are among the more interesting press innovations to emerge in the aisled of the IfraExpo in Vienna this week.

Both are ‘why didn’t someone think of that before’ solutions to established problems.

In the case of coating – from German press manufacturer KBA – the reasons are technical, based on the interaction with water, so sadly their overprint coating solution is restricted to users of their Cortina waterless press, sales of which slowed to two this year.

The thumb-indexed tabloids idea comes from Swedish stitching specialist

Tolerans and has been imported from catalogue and dictionary applications. A puncher in the company’s Speedliner inline ribbon-stitching machine does the business.

Chief executive Jan Melin relates a familiar story… the difficulty of finding sections in bulky tabloids easily. "This has been a concern for both publishers and readers, and we’re happy to solve it.”

The thumb-indexes are produced by the stitching machine at full press speed. Two punching cylinders in the stitcher are supported by a suction casing and paper-waste system, with a sharp knife producing the round holes.

It can be placed under the former or anywhere there is a ribbon passage in the folder.

– Peter Coleman