Abstract: Recumbent stacks of printed products are produced and strapped by supplying the printed products from above onto a conveying surface (2) where they are lined up in an upright position forming a continuously growing stack (6), separating discreet stacks (7) from the growing stack, stabilizing the discreet stacks with endplates (4), and conveying the stabilized stacks to a strapping position (12), in which a loop of strapping material is tightened around the stack (7). For conveying and strapping, the isolated stack (7) is gripped between two compression jaws (10, 11) that extend into the stack area (16) from a first side. In the strapping position (12), a strapping device (30) is situated on the side opposite the stack area (16). For strapping, at least part of the strapping device is moved horizontally in relation to the stack, and transverse to the stacking direction (S), thereby placing a loop of the strapping material around the stack.

Abstract: For being stacked, flat articles, in particular printed products, are supplied to a feed point in an imbricated stream, in which they overlap one another and are arranged standing substantially upright. In the feed point, their leading edge is pushed against an aligning element arranged transverse to the supply direction and thereby they are redirected at right angles and arranged in a stack-like arrangement. The stack-like arrangement grows in the stacking direction into a receiving device, being laterally guided and being supported at its downstream end by a supporting element. Distanced in the stacking direction from the feed point a condensing means is provided for accelerating the articles in the stack-like arrangement towards the supporting element in such a manner, that a downstream part of the stack-like arrangement is condensed and a feed-side part is kept loose.