System and method for selective assembly and imaging of books

A system and method for assembling and binding books and for printing an address or a personalized message in accordance with coded information. The system includes a main control with a data processor and a memory for coded address and message information. One or more bindery lines each has means for gathering and assembling sections to form a book and for imaging the book with a personalized image. A line control has a data processor connected with the bindery line to control selection and assembly of signatures and imaging in accordance with the control information. Operator terminals at the main and line controls have visual display with touch screen operation input. A communication network connects the main control with each of the line controls. Address and control information from a magnetic tape is transferred to disk memory at the main control. This information is later transmitted over the communication network to the line controls. The vacuum valves of the bindery line signature delivery units and the operation of ink jet units to position message fields on the book are timed by observation of the operation of the line at slow speed and the entry of timing control information through an operator terminal.