Perfect binders & three-knife trimmers
Production deadlines become difficult to meet when a perfect binder or three knife trimmer can no longer keep up with demand. Long make-ready times, inconsistent binding quality or unexpected downtime can quickly affect productivity and delivery schedules.For many printers and binderies, replacing or expanding finishing capacity is therefore not a question of if, but when. A reliable used perfect binder or three knife trimmer can offer the required capacity without the lead times and investment associated with new equipment.
Mekes Graphic Machinery supplies used perfect binders, three knife trimmers and complete perfect binding lines from leading manufacturers. We help customers worldwide find the right machine to suit their needs and support the complete purchasing process.
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What is a perfect binder?
Perfect binders are specialized machines designed to join folded sections using adhesive and a wrap-around cover. This process creates a square-shaped spine, resulting in what is commonly known as a soft cover book.
There are various types of perfect binding, all falling under the category of soft cover books. The main distinctions can be made between sewn soft cover books and regular soft cover books. In the case of a sewn book, the pages are first sewn together and then inserted into the binder to receive its cover.
The used perfect binders we offer at Mekes are renowned for their outstanding performance, reliability and user-friendliness. These machines are meticulously engineered to maximize productivity, delivering high-quality outcomes while minimizing waste and downtime.
Some popular brands of perfect binders are Horizon, Muller Martini and Kolbus.
What is a three knife trimmer?
A three knife trimmer machine is a special cutting device that trims three sides of a book at once. It has two parallel blades and one blade that cuts at a right angle. You can use three knife trimmers to cut brochures, soft cover books and the blocks of pages for hardcover books.
When choosing a three knife trimmer, important things to consider are how quickly you can switch between different cutting jobs and how fast it can cut. To make the process smoother, you can put a delivery belt or a stacker behind the trimmer to collect the cut pieces.
Some popular brands of three knife trimmers are Wohlenberg, Muller Martini and Kolbus.
Why choose a used perfect binder or three knife trimmer?
Used graphic machinery is often chosen for one simple reason: speed. When production needs to grow, waiting months for new equipment is not always realistic.
Used equipment can help your company add capacity faster, replace an older machine or build a more complete production line without the investment level of new machinery. That is especially relevant in print, finishing and packaging, where many machines are built for years of industrial use.
One of our clients, a commercial book manufacturer in the United States, needed additional perfect binding capacity to keep up with growing demand. Waiting for a new machine was not an option due to long delivery times.
Mekes supplied a used Muller Martini MonoStar 3016 perfect binder, carried out the technical inspection, arranged dismantling and coordinated overseas transport. Our customer was able to increase production capacity much sooner while avoiding the investment required for new equipment.
Why buy a used perfect binder machine or three knife trimmer from Mekes?
The responsibility often moves to the buyer when they purchase a perfect binder or three knife trimmer at an auction. Most of the time, after you place your bid, you need to arrange the rest yourself. This can lead to various problems when dismantling or transport turn out to be more complicated than expected.
Mekes focusses fully on used graphic machinery. We understand how these machines are used, how they are moved and what can go wrong if a project is not prepared properly.
Our full service approach is one of the main reasons why customers choose Mekes when they need a new perfect binder or three knife trimmer, often across borders.
Advantages of Mekes:
- Fully focused on used graphic machinery
- Fast response times and project execution
- Worldwide network with local market visibility
- Family-owned company with a personal approach
- Offices in the Netherlands, Spain, Italy and the UK
- Full-service support
- Wide range of machinery from leading A-brands
- More than 40 years of experience in the graphic industry
View the current stock or contact Mekes for direct advice.
Frequently asked questions about perfect binders
What is the difference between hotmelt and PUR binding?
Hotmelt is commonly used for standard softcover production. PUR is often used when stronger binding is required, for example with coated paper, difficult stocks or products that need higher page pull strength.
Can Mekes supply a complete perfect binding line?
Mekes can supply individual perfect binders, three-knife trimmers and complete perfect binding lines. Available configurations vary according to machine specifications and current market availability.
Can Mekes arrange dismantling, loading and transport?
Mekes can support dismantling, loading, relocation and worldwide delivery of used graphic machinery.
How do I know if a used perfect binder is suitable for my production?
Choosing the right perfect binder depends on factors such as book size, spine thickness, glue requirements, production speed and the type of products you produce. Mekes helps customers evaluate these requirements and can recommend suitable machines based on their production needs.
Can Mekes provide spare parts and technical support after the purchase?
We supply spare parts and technical support for all our customers. Our team can assist with maintenance and technical questions to help keep your equipment running smoothly.
Choose Mekes for your next used perfect binder or three knife trimmer
Mekes offers a wide range of used perfect binders, three knife trimmers and complete perfect binding lines. Browse the available machines to find equipment that matches your production requirements.
Can’t find the machine you are looking for? Contact our team with your product specifications, required output and destination country. We can help identify suitable machines from our current stock and international network.