Offset Printing - Sheet-Fed

M13 Graphics in Schaumburg, IL, has installed a Mitsubishi Diamond 3000LX sheetfed press to expand its production capabilities and provide redundant pressroom equipment. The installation was reportedly the second Mitsubishi sheetfed press installed in the Chicago area so far in 2013.

Alexander Clark Printing, a full-service commercial printer located in Boise, ID, has installed a six-color, 29˝ Komori Lithrone SX29 (LSX629) press to increase efficiency and accommodate demand for more high-quality color applications and faster turnaround times.

Spectrum Printing & Graphics in Rockville, MD has purchased a five-color Speedmaster 74 from Heidelberg to meet an increase in customer demand. "We needed automation for improved consistent quality, greater productivity, and quicker turnaround and delivery to our customers," said Andrew Berman, president.

Since installing an eight-color Speedmaster XL 105 long perfector with CutStar sheeter, Inpress automated color control, and AutoPlate XL more than six months ago, Modern Litho's (Jefferson City, MO) expectations and early impressions have been confirmed, and the company is well on the way to fulfilling a long-term growth strategy focused on short-run, quick-turn production.

The installation of Lewisburg Printing's new six-color, 73˝ R900 XXL press from manroland inc. is almost complete. The new unit will complement an existing six-color, 73˝ Roland that was purchased in 2008.

Answering customer demand for shorter runs, Houston-based Simon Printing has taken the path toward greater efficiency and higher profits by choosing to install a four-color Speedmaster SM52 Anicolor press. “We’re not into ultra-short runs, and we didn’t need the variable-data capability of a digital color press,” said Brad Simon, owner.

Last month, Printing Impressions and its sister publications, Package Printing and In-plant Graphics, were invited to visit Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG's headquarters to talk with executives and tour the company's massive sheetfed press manufacturing facility in nearby Wiesloch-Walldorf. Among the many highlights of the trip, journalists met with both outgoing CEO Bernhard Schreier and new CEO Dr. Gerold Linzbach.

There were only four offset presses actually running at GRAPH EXPO last month, but the leading vendors still had booths on the show floor. Video presentations, interactive displays, print samples, and standalone press consoles or press units were instead used to showcase new developments, enhanced maintenance offerings and press monitoring services.

The Alphagraphics franchise in Idaho Falls, ID, had been subbing out its four-color work to an out-of-state printer and “hated it,” according to owner Lynn Nelson. The company has now mapped out a clear path to growth with the installation of a Speedmaster SM 52 Anicolor press.

David McGinnis, owner of Think Printing in Richmond, VA, said he wanted to wait for the economy to begin to recover from the recession before purchasing a new press. “The recession made me a better businessman,” he explained. “I learned to evaluate every expenditure in detail. We had a layoff at the peak of the downturn, but I’ve rehired everyone since and even added personnel.”