SHEETFED PRESSES -- Sizing Up the Options

Taking a more traditional view of what constitutes a peripheral, Heidelberg's Dowey says printers are now paying more attention to the components of the total press system. "Peripherals like dryers, ink temperature controls, powder systems and ink filling devices play an increasingly important role in overall press productivity," he explains. As for the possibility of business conditions forcing buyers to trim their feature wish lists, Dowey adds that highly automated presses retain a larger percentage of their investment price.