Sheetfed Presses--Big Performance, Small Packages

The trend toward shorter runs continues to fuel the small-format market. Don Trytten, vice president of xpedx/Import Group, believes an "explosion of color" and quality requirements, that make 14x20˝ presses resemble 40˝ models, are also key factors that his firm must consider.

"In our 12x18˝ or 11x17˝ machines, we've seen more and more requests for multicolor configurations and a certain amount of automation," he says. "We now have a four-color, 14x20˝ press with semi-automatic plateloading, console and ink volume setter—all in that small format. We also furnish four-color, 12x18˝ machines with automation to further fulfill the requirements of our two-color, 12x18˝ customers."