Dome Printing Installs Two Heidelberg Speedmaster XL 105 Presses

California Printer Replaces Entire Sheetfed Department with High Performance Presses

KENNESAW, GA— August 21, 2006—Dome Printing, a high-end commercial sheetfed printer located in Sacramento, CA, recently replaced its entire sheetfed department with two six-color Heidelberg Speedmaster XL 105 presses with inline coaters. Added to increase capacity and introduce a larger format size (29.5 x 41.3 inch) to its pressroom, the Speedmaster XL 105’s already are delivering results, according to the company’s three owners, brothers Tim, Andy and Bob Poole.

“We typically replace our older presses every eight years with the latest and most innovative technology on the market,” said Tim Poole, president, Dome Printing. “Because of our ever-expanding business, we needed the kind of productivity increases that come from best-in-class automation. Replacing our two older presses with the two XL 105s was like adding a third press to our sheetfed department.”

With the new presses, Dome can enjoy the benefits of high speeds, even with shorter runs. Dome Printing reports that the new presses often run at their maximum production speed of 18,000 impressions per hour, and they achieve speeds above 15,000 impressions per hour 60 percent of the time. The company’s first Speedmaster XL 105 has produced more than 18 million impressions since going live in February, while the second press has produced more than eight million impressions since April. Dome credits the improvements in productivity to shorter make-ready and run times, as well as advanced ergonomics that contribute to more efficient press handling and minimize equipment-related issues that could slow production.

“We’ve projected that we will produce more than 25 million impressions per year on each of the two Speedmaster XL 105 presses,” said Andy Poole, vice president of manufacturing, Dome Printing. “We’re now able to print the same amount of work in five days that we were previously producing in seven. The added capacity is critical as Dome grows its customer base and provides new services, such as packaging and direct mail.”

Heidelberg’s Speedmaster XL 105 redefines industry standards for productivity and quality. The XL 105 enables high-end commercial offset printing applications at real production speeds of up to 18,000 sheets per hour for maximum throughput and significant productivity gains. Tightly integrated into Heidelberg’s Prinect workflow and equipped with fully automatic pre-setting as well as comprehensive memory functions of the Prinect CP 2000 Center, the Speedmaster XL 105 enables significantly reduced makeready times.

Dome Printing has been impressed by the Speedmaster XL 105’s highly-automated press features, such as Autoplate Advanced, which supports simple, register-accurate plate changing. Additional features include efficient, automatic wash-up devices, the PresetPlus feeder and delivery system and the contact-free AirTransfer aerodynamic sheet transport system. Another benefit is the Speedmaster XL 105’s “Hycolor” integrated inking/dampening system, which lays down significantly higher ink films and can easily switch between standard and short inking for effective printing of jobs with heavy solids and thick ink coverage or very low ink consumption.

A Heidelberg customer since 1986, Dome Printing provides a wide range of high-quality commercial printing services for an extensive roster of national clients, including numerous Fortune 100 companies. The company began a direct mail business in early 2005, producing and mailing more than 40 million pieces of direct mail last year. Dome Printing expects that the new Speedmaster XL 105 presses and Heidelberg will play a significant role in helping the shop achieve its projected revenue of $36 million in 2006.

“The commitment that Heidelberg shows us is comparable to the commitment we show our customers,” said Bob Poole, vice president of sales, Dome Printing. “We serve a wide range of clients with diverse needs, and we pride ourselves on our client relationships. Our customers keep coming back when we prove our dedication to their work by investing in the best equipment on the market.

About Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
With a global market share for sheetfed offset printing machines of more than 40 percent, Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) is the world’s leading solution provider for commercial and industrial customers in the print media industry. Headquartered in Heidelberg, Germany, the Company focuses on the entire process and value chain for popular format classes in the sheetfed offset and flexographic printing sectors. Apart from printing presses, the product portfolio includes plate imaging devices and finishing equipment, as well as software components designed to integrate all print manufacturing processes. In addition, Heidelberg offers a wide range of spare parts, consumables, used equipment and services, along with extensive training programs provided by the Print Media Academy. Furthermore, the Company assists its customers’ investment plans by offering financing concepts.