By Lance Martin, Vice President of Product Marketing, Komori America

Up 2 Speed Printing began in 2003 with a simple foundation: experience, determination, and a passion for print. What started with an AB Dick press, a hand-cranked cutter, and a tabletop folder in a garage has grown into a full-scale packaging operation serving customers in the food, beverage, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics industries.

The company’s founder started his career as a press helper before becoming a lead pressman for nearly two decades. That background shaped the company’s culture and approach to production. From the beginning, the focus was on craftsmanship, quality, and long-term growth.

A turning point came in 2014 with a strategic decision to expand into packaging. Recognizing that nearly every consumer product relies on a printed carton, Up 2 Speed invested in a folder-gluer to begin producing packaging in-house. Soon after, the company purchased its first Komori press, a 26-inch model built in 1996.

That initial investment marked the beginning of a new phase. As demand grew, Up 2 Speed moved to a 40-inch Komori press and later added a new 40-inch Komori equipped with advanced automation and LED-UV curing technology.

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Today, Up 2 Speed Printing operates as a G7-certified, FSC-certified company serving customers that require high standards of color accuracy, sustainability, and compliance. For these markets, process control and efficiency are critical.

According to the company, production increased by approximately 80% following the installation of the latest Komori press. One of the most significant gains came from reduced makeready time. What previously required up to an hour on a six-color job now takes approximately 20 minutes.

Waste reduction has also improved substantially. Makeready sheets once ranged between 800 and 900 sheets per job. With the new press and automation features, that figure has been reduced to approximately 150 to 200 sheets.

The press is equipped with PQA inspection and sequential numbering capabilities that enhance quality control. Each sheet is numbered at the feeder. If the inspection system detects a defect, the system identifies the precise sheet numbers involved, allowing operators to remove only the affected sheets rather than discard larger quantities. This level of traceability is particularly important in pharmaceutical and consumer packaging applications.

LED-UV curing has further streamlined production. Unlike conventional drying systems, LED-UV technology allows sheets to move directly from press to die cutter, folder, or finishing equipment without waiting for ink to cure. Jobs can be processed immediately, reducing turnaround time and increasing production flow.

For a company focused on packaging, speed and flexibility are competitive advantages. The ability to move work quickly through finishing operations while maintaining quality has positioned Up 2 Speed to serve customers with tighter timelines and higher expectations.

Beyond equipment performance, implementation support also played a role in the transition. From contract signing to installation, Komori’s service and installation teams coordinated rigging, mechanical setup, and press demonstrations to meet scheduled deadlines. For a growing business, minimizing downtime during installation is critical.

Up 2 Speed continues to expand its capabilities. In addition to die cutting and folding and gluing, the company is investing in foil stamping, sheet lamination, and mounting applications for corrugated packaging. These additions are designed to give customers a broader range of in-house solutions.

While equipment and automation have driven measurable improvements, the company maintains a focus on service and responsiveness. As a family-owned business, Up 2 Speed emphasizes direct communication with customers and rapid response times. That customer-first mindset, combined with production efficiency, supports its long-term growth strategy.

Looking ahead, the company’s vision includes controlling more aspects of the packaging production process under one roof. By expanding finishing and embellishment capabilities, Up 2 Speed aims to provide a more complete solution for packaging customers in the years ahead.

For commercial printers considering diversification into packaging, the story reflects a broader industry trend. Investment in offset presses with advanced automation, integrated inspection, and LED-UV curing can support shorter makereadies, reduced waste, and faster throughput. These operational gains help create the capacity needed to pursue higher-margin packaging opportunities.

Up 2 Speed Printing’s growth from a garage-based startup to a packaging-focused manufacturer demonstrates how strategic equipment investment and operational discipline can support long-term expansion.

In an industry where speed, quality, and flexibility define success, technology remains a central driver of progress.