Method for stitching signatures for brochure production in a gatherer stitcher comprising a gathering chain, a transport device, a transfer station, a stitching station having a stitching head, a delivery station and a machine control unit which activates at least the transport device and the stitching head, the method comprising the following steps: a) transporting to the transfer station by the gathering chain a respective signature that has to be stitched. b) transferring a respective signature to the transport device, which holds a respective signature, the respective signature, after being transferred by the gathering chain to the transport device, not being released until reaching the delivery station but remaining permanently fixed; c) transporting a respective signature to the stitching station into a first stitching position, a first reference staple position of the signature being located below the one stitching head, and the number of staples and the reference staple positions being set by means of an interface of the machine control unit; d) stopping of a respective signature and stitching of the first staple while stationary by the one stitching head; e) transporting of a respective signature by the transport device to a further stitching position, a further reference staple position of the signature being located below the one stitching head; f) stopping of a respective signature for stitching of the further staple while stationary by the one stitching head; g) onward transporting of a respective stitched brochure by the transport device to the delivery station, a respective brochure being released by the transport device; h) delivery of a respective stitched brochure or transfer of a respective stitched brochure to a device for three-side trimming. a) transporting to the transfer station by the gathering chain a respective signature that has to be stitched. b) transferring a respective signature to the transport device, which holds a respective signature, the respective signature, after being transferred by the gathering chain to the transport device, not being released until reaching the delivery station but remaining permanently fixed; c) transporting a respective signature to the stitching station into a first stitching position, a first reference staple position of the signature being located below the one stitching head, and the number of staples and the reference staple positions being set by means of an interface of the machine control unit; d) stopping of a respective signature and stitching of the first staple while stationary by the one stitching head; e) transporting of a respective signature by the transport device to a further stitching position, a further reference staple position of the signature being located below the one stitching head; f) stopping of a respective signature for stitching of the further staple while stationary by the one stitching head; g) onward transporting of a respective stitched brochure by the transport device to the delivery station, a respective brochure being released by the transport device; h) delivery of a respective stitched brochure or transfer of a respective stitched brochure to a device for three-side trimming.