KENNESAW, Ga. –  Heidelberg now offers a complete line of premium, Saphira-branded consumables, including pressroom consumables, to match the depth and breadth of its print media portfolio. Armed with competitively priced products that meet the precise requirements of high-performing Heidelberg systems and equipment, Heidelberg customers need never compromise on quality and efficiency with so-called "commodity" supplies. First announced at drupa 2008, the consolidation of its consumable products under the Saphira banner underscores Heidelberg's ongoing commitment to provide its customers with service and support of the highest order, together with a winning price performance ratio.
 
The value of accuracy, repeatability and consistency in commercial lithography cannot be overstated: It's an unbeatable combination that holds the competition in check and keeps customers coming back. Likewise, the value of using products optimized for Heidelberg presses can be measured in a printer's ability to make the most efficient use of his Heidelberg equipment job after job for the life of the press – without incurring the incremental degradation of performance linked to less compatible consumables.
 
Today, the Saphira family includes an extensive range of custom-blended chemistry, a full portfolio of blankets, conventional and DI plates, matte and gloss aqueous coatings, proofing papers and inks for Heidelberg's Anicolor-equipped Speedmaster SM 52 and Quickmaster DI 46-4. Process and Pantone inks for commercial lithography are being introduced now; UV inks and coatings will be brought to market later this year. All Saphira consumables are formulated to meet real-world pressroom challenges and guaranteed to work as promised.
 
"All Saphira consumables dovetail perfectly with one another and our Heidelberg equipment," said Ray Cassino, director of Prinect and CtP product management. "It always makes good business sense for customers to choose consumable products that will help them to utilize their Heidelberg equipment at the most efficient and productive level, and to achieve the high-quality results they and their customers demand. Competitively priced Saphira consumables also deliver long-term value and substantial cost savings over the life of the equipment they are designed to protect."
 
Midlands Printing in Omaha, Neb. selected Heidelberg press consumables for use in the 6-color Heidelberg Speedmaster CD 74 perfector it installed last year, as well as in the company's existing Printmaster QM 46 and MO presses. "We use Saphira press wash, varnish, fountain solution and convenient Saphira Wash Up & Go cleaning trays in the Speedmaster CD 74, in addition to Saphira solvents in our smaller presses," said company president Rich Craig. "By choosing Saphira consumable products, we gain the assurance not only that our presses will continue to perform at the top of their game, but that I can make just one phone call and know we're covered in the event something goes wrong. You can't beat that for convenience. Heidelberg always takes care of us, and that goes for the hardware, too."
 
"Premium" Doesn't Mean Expensive
Heidelberg Saphira products earn their "premium" label in a variety of ways. Before it is added to the Saphira line, for example, each consumable candidate undergoes rigorous testing and evaluation under everyday printing conditions in the field and at the Print Media Demonstration Center in Kennesaw, Ga. Saphira press washes are blended to meet stringent performance, health and safety benchmarks set by FOGRA, the German technical research organization. Saphira press washes will not damage press components, and are less susceptible to fire and health hazards than washes with much lower flashpoints. Saphira fountain solutions are blended to suit the type of press being used, the kinds of jobs that will be run - even the characteristics of the water in the location where the printing will be done.
 
Saphira inks can be supplied with ICC profiles to help printers achieve the best proof-to-print color match. Saphira proofing papers are manufactured without optical brighteners to better match the press sheet. In yet another instance of the added value that sets Heidelberg consumables apart from generic competitors, the company recently added re-covered inking and dampening rollers to the Saphira line. The re-covered rollers, which are available for all Heidelberg Speedmaster presses from the QM 46 through the XL 105, use a German-made, factory-authorized rubber coating available from no other source.
 
Saphira Makes It Easy To Go Green
Saphira is also the first name in "green" consumables specifically developed - like all Heidelberg products and solutions - to help printers comply with environmental regulations and enhance sustainable operations. Printers can say goodbye to chemical processing, developer and water altogether with Saphira Chemfree Thermal Plates, or dramatically reduce their use of chemistry with the Saphira Thermoplate NA. Low-VOC press wash and a line of eco-friendly inks are in development and will be introduced later this year.
 
Heidelberg makes it easy to get acquainted with Saphira products by offering new and existing press owners Saphira performance kits, available for every press in the Heidelberg line, which contain every press consumable needed to achieve the high-quality performance and production results attainable on all Heidelberg presses.
 
Many Heidelberg customers who already buy Saphira consumables prefer to purchase them through the convenience of Web-enabled, 24/7, one-stop shopping from the Heidelberg Online Shop. Customer representatives are available to assist with product selection, and most orders can be shipped within two days. To learn more or to set up an account, visit www.us.heidelberg.com <http://www.us.heidelberg.com> or call 888-472-9655.