Offset Printing - Sheet-Fed

IT MAY be telling that, with a few exceptions, the presses in operation around the show floor of Graph Expo and Converting Expo 2006 were of the digital variety. Offset units were conspicuous in their absence. Digital presses largely have become part of the commercial printing mainstream, rather than being a specialty product segment or market niche. The exhibition’s Wide Format Pavilion showed ongoing interest in that segment, but adding a wide, large, superwide or grand format digital system still is seen as a way to diversify rather than being standard equipment. Hewlett-Packard shared results from an InfoTrends study that surveyed a sampling

WESTMONT, IL—Using the performance of its first Roland 500 as its benchmark, Superior Printers, Inc. in Winter Park, FL has ordered its second Roland 500 in as many years. Both presses are six-color-with-coater models, and the new press will bring perfecting capabilities to Superior. “Back when we were shopping for our first 29-inch system, we analyzed two competitive presses,” says Ed Sengel, Superior Printers’ President. “The MAN Roland appeared to be the most productive for us, based on its speed, its high level of automation and the ease of working its console.” Sengel’s expectations were exceeded considerably. “The Roland 500 is twice as productive as the

How does a 100-year old printing company map out a robust path of growth for the 21st century? David Torok, CEO of Texas-based Padgett Printing, ought to know. He’s spent the past 17 years guiding Padgett through an extraordinary evolution from traditional print provider to a cross-media powerhouse. Under his leadership, the company grew in sales from $8 million to over $29 million and has become a major digital and offset technology leader capable of producing and mailing 750,000 pieces per day. Torok brings over 30 years of industry experience to Padgett, is active in national printing activities, and has agreed to speak at

KENNESAW, GA—10/10/2006—Heidelberg USA today announced the launch of a new program for small businesses. Called Heidelberg Printers Advantage, the program is designed to connect small printers with information and business solutions to help them solve problems unique to small business enterprises. Printers can learn more about program benefits from a new Website at www.printersadvantage.com or by visiting the Small Business solutions section of the Heidelberg booth #1200 at Graph Expo. “Heidelberg believes that small businesses are the backbone of the printing industry and deserve access to the same benefits and privileges as their larger counterparts,” said James Martin, senior vice president of marketing

MINNEAPOLIS—October 4, 2006—Maximum Graphics, a Consolidated Graphics Company, is tapping the innovative resources of MAN Roland for a new eight-color ROLAND 700 perfector with inline coating and an extended delivery. Maximum, which describes itself as a high-end sheetfed printer of full-color marketing and advertising material, will make good use of the ROLAND 700’s versatility. The company produces collateral, packaging, manuals, direct mail and newsletters for some of the most visible agencies, design studios and corporations in the Twin Cities region. Craig Mandery, COO at Maximum, sees the new press providing an extra measure of productivity to his clients. “The ROLAND 700 will be able to produce

LINCOLNSHIRE, IL—Mitsubishi Lithographic Presses (MLP U.S.A., Inc.) has announced a leadership change, effective October 1, to reflect the company’s strategy and focus on growth. Marke Baker, formerly Vice President of Customer Service, has been named President by the Board of Directors. In his new capacity, Baker will have primary responsibility for MLP U.S.A.’s day-to-day operations domestically and in the Mexican, Central American and Caribbean markets. K.G. Katayama, who has served as the company’s President since January 2002, will return to the Printing Press International Sales Group of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI). Commenting on the organizational change, Katayama stated: “Throughout his career with

Using enhanced GCR (gray component replacement), it’s possible to use just three different screen angles in seven-color printing without risking color shifts. Black, as the dominant color, is assigned to 45°. The six chromatic colors, cyan, blue, magenta, red, yellow, and green, are alternately assigned to 165° and 105°. Then, each hue can be generated using only three colors: black, which provides the gray component; and two neighboring colors. For example, all printable hues between red and yellow can be created using black and these two process colors. A maximum of 10% of a complementary color can be added to darken the color without causing

Maintaining proper airflow inside the cabinets of Heidelberg press peripherals such as AirStar, DryStar, and CombiStar is critical to their operation. Too much or too little air flow can lead to improperly cooled components and premature equipment failure. Essential for maintaining correct air flow are proper exhaust ventilation; regular maintenance of filters and air vents; and cleanliness inside and around the cabinet. The pre-installation manual for your press gives detailed ventilation information that’s customized for your specific configuration, including air flow rates, exhaust duct sizes, and requirements for a helper fan. Detailed instructions on filter and cabinet maintenance can be found in the device’s

A simple squeeze of the hand will go a long way toward keeping the Technotrans Ink.line cartridge-fed ink dispensing system on your Speedmaster XL 105, SM 102, CD 102, or SM 74 press working properly. The Ink.line system relies on the trouble-free operation of the ink cartridges from which the ink is dispensed. Sometimes, for example, a small ring of dry ink can causes the piston inside the cartridge to stick, preventing ink from dispensing correctly. To prevent this, simply give the ink cartridge a gentle squeeze to break the bond of the dry ink. Another good procedure is to avoid stacking Ink.line cartridges

Ink for perfecting has special performance requirements. For instance, to avoid smearing after sheet reversal, the ink of the first impression behind the perfector must not build up on the impression cylinders of the following printing units. To achieve this, the ink must be shorter—less viscous or “flowable”—than normal. Ink manufacturers offer inks especially for perfecting, but if these are not available, the ink can be set short by adding 3% to 5% printing oil. Linseed oil-based additives are particularly recommended because they prevent drying and reduce the ink build-up on the downstream impression cylinders. A short-set ink also reduces trailing of the paper