Process Optimization — Makereadies Mean Money

This article will focus on the shortest of the short runs because this segment has the tightest makeready requirements, and the lessons learned are broadly applicable.

Universal Lithographers, in Sheboygan, WI, was running two 40?, six-color MAN Roland 706 sheetfed presses with aqueous coating units, but was getting requests from some customers to do shorter run work. Those presses are relatively modern (the newest was installed in 2000) and equipped with makeready enhancers such as QuickStart, automatic plate loading and remote-controlled inking.