“We have always been satisfied with our two AlphaLiner machines in the last 14 years,” emphasizes Jurica Galić. “This also applies to reliability as well as user-friendliness and service from Muller Martini. However, both inserting systems are now beginning to show signs of age, which is why we decided to make the investment in the new machine.”

According to the production manager, there were three main reasons why Slobodna Dalmacija decided in favor of the most recent generation of the AlphaLiner featuring four feeders: “First, we were impressed by its high production performance and security, which will enable us to improve our productivity. Secondly, only few machine operators are needed to run the machine. Thirdly, we expect great synergies for our machine operators, since they already have extensive experience with the previous model.”

17 Newspaper Titles

At its plant that was brought into operation in the industrial zone on the outskirts of Spilt just four years ago, Slobodna Dalmacija not only publishes its own flagship newspaper under the same name (with three editions daily and an overall circulation of 45,000 to 65,000 copies), but it also prints 16 additional newspaper titles. A typical print run of these daily, weekly and monthly newspapers ranges between 3,000 and 50,000 copies, and some of them are printed for other publishing houses.

The number of commercial inserts has remained constant at two to three inserts per newspaper for several years. Conversely, according to Jurica Galić, preprinted sections in the form of specialized inserts (TV, homes, garden, culture) printed in house have grown continually in recent years. “This has allowed us to make our newspapers more attractive,” says Jurica Galić.

Slobodna Dalmacija has trusted in solutions from Muller Martini at its plant in Split for decades, not only in newspaper production but also for its commercial printing. For example, in addition to two perfect binders, a Pantera and an AmigoPlus, they also have a BravoPlus saddle stitcher in operation.

AlphaLiner Inserting System: High Level of Flexibility with Maximum Operational Performance

For newspaper printers in small to mid-range markets and mailing houses with a wide range of products and formats, the AlphaLiner Inserting System offers a high degree of flexibility. It boasts a broad range of formats and also processes inserts that are larger than the main jacket. Up to 30 products can be inserted with a maximum operating capacity of 18,000 copies per hour. Thanks to its modular design, it can easily be extended. The AlphaLiner can be loaded by hand, or semi-automatically using streamfeeders, or fully automatically using FlexiRoll.

The AlphaLiner enables automatic addressing of the main mailing jacket for address-specific inserting with subsequent copy-specific bundle building. The range of offers made possible by insert products is increased significantly with the Promo feed station. High process reliability ensures correct inserting and a high level of product quality.

An integrated inkjet module enables the single or double-sided online labeling of mailings covers or main jackets. This allows specific information about the recipient such as address, title or specific offers to be printed directly on the cover.