Made in India: Digi on-demand hardcase book binding machine from Megabound

The Digi on-demand hardcase book binding machine from Megabound India is a fully integrated system comprising three servo-controlled machines: a case maker, a casing-in machine, and a joint forming machine.

These units are interconnected and driven through one QR code automation. Once the book and case sizes are entered in the Megabound app, a QR code is generated. Scanning this code on the machine enables automatic set-up and makeready using high-precision servo motors, offering unmatched flexibility and consistency in production.

Srinivasa Reddy, founder of Megabound India, says print-on-demand (POD) is becoming mainstream, thus, book-on-demand as well. “Customisation and personalisation are keys,” he says. “Printers are shifting to low volume, high value segments like photo books, memoirs, and corporate gifting books. The Digi fits perfectly into this evolving model.”

The product
According to Srinivasa Reddy, founder of Megabound India, the machine binds hardcover books of varying sizes on demand. “It eliminates the need for manual adjustments by automatically configuring machine settings based on QR code input. The servo technology ensures each job — regardless of size or quantity — is processed efficiently, making it ideal for small-volume, high-variation orders,” he explains.

The Digi was officially launched at PrintPack India 2025 after successful beta trials across select digital printing presses in India.

The product is targeted at digital and offset printers, photo book publishers, short-run print specialists and corporate and educational publishers. Reddy says since the cost efficiency and time-to-market are critical in India, the Digi ensures zero makeready wastage; fast changeovers between jobs. It also eliminates the need for skilled setup operators. “This leads to significant savings in labour, time, and material, making it suitable for Indian printers competing on thin margins,” he added.

The customers
Since its launch in February 2025, the Digi has been installed in more than six locations across India, with growing global interest from the Middle East and European Markets. The key Indian customers include Ratna Offset in Chennai, Susuma Printers in Kolkata, Noton Press in Chennai and Sridevi Graphics in Hyderabad.

According to Reddy, while choosing such a product, customers typically seek fast setup and automation, support for variable sizes, book on demand, durability and minimal maintenance, and local service support.
He says the Digi meets all these expectations, plus offers Make in India pricing with international quality.

The machine is used for binding short-run hardcover books, including custom photo books, coffee table books, educational hardcover books, corporate reports and trade fiction/non-fiction books.

Reddy shared that in a unique case, a client used the Digi to produce premium wedding albums with gold-foiled hardcovers in under 24 hours, across five different sizes, showcasing the power of zero setup time.

Meanwhile, Chennai-based Ratna Offset installed the Digi to cater to corporate gift books and print-on-demand jobs. After the installation, the company has reduced setup time by 80% and has increased job capacity from 25 to 75 titles per day.

The USP
According to Reddy, the USPs of the product include fully automated QR code set-up, an integrated three-machine system, servo motor precision, and a compact and plug-and-play design. It can also handle variable book sizes.

For example, a print shop receives 10 jobs of different book sizes in a single day. With the Digi, all 10 can be processed back-to-back without any manual resetting, enabling a true on-demand operation.

The components of the product include a case maker unit, a casing-in unit, a joint forming unit, a control interface with QR code scanner, servo motors and electrical panels and an integrated app-based job input system.

Reddy says the difference between the digi and the options available in the market is that most machines are partially automated or manual. It needs skilled labour, manual makeready and longer downtime for setup. On the other hand, the Digi is fully automatic, comprising a QR Code and a servo. It can be set up in under a minute.  

The utility
The Digi can produce up to 200–250 hardcase books per hour, depending on size and operator efficiency, and 60 different-sized books.

Reddy says the previous versions were standalone units needing individual set-up. Now, the Digi is fully integrated, app-controlled, and intelligent, reducing operator dependency and increasing output.

The machine is easy to use. Even a semi-skilled operator can run the Digi after minimal training, thanks to the intuitive interface and app-based automation.

Megabound provides on-site machine installation and demo, operator training programmes, QR code job set-up workshops and video guides and remote assistance.

It also provides 24x7 remote assistance, on-site servicing across India, spare parts availability within 24–48 hours and AMC options and warranty plans.

In FY 2025–26, Megabound plans to expand its installations to 20+ units globally. There are also plans to launch Digi 2.0 with cloud job syncing.

About Megabound
Megabound, founded in Bengaluru, has been at the forefront of innovation in the Indian print finishing industry since its inception. Over the past two decades, it has built a strong legacy of delivering reliable, world-class binding solutions Made in India, tailored for both domestic and global markets.