What do you do when the economic numbers are conflicting, businesses are still riding the tariff roller coaster, and uncertainty seems to lurk in every corner? You press forward with capacity expansion with the installation of your brand-new RMGT offset press, of course.

That’s the perspective of Lou Ciampi, Jr., president of Independent Graphics (West Wyoming, Pa.), which is installing an RMGT 920PF4 LED UV press this May. The RMGT 920PF4 is a 24 x 36-in. four-color perfecting press that expands IG’s offset capacity by 25%.

The installation addresses a specific pain point in the company’s growth: the ability to serve customers whose volumes have outgrown what the shop's existing equipment can handle efficiently.

“It used to be that we could only accommodate a certain range of jobs, which disappointed many of our customers who wanted us to scale up with them,” says Ciampi. “Now we can. We can print their short-run jobs, their mid-range jobs, and their longer run jobs, too.”

On an Upgrade Mission

Independent Graphics has recently made other significant upgrades, as well. This includes an automated folder, cutters, and booklet making.

“This new print technology complements our state-of-the-art digital equipment and automated bindery,” says Ciampi. “It moves some of the automation upstream right to where the ink goes on the paper and will reside side by side with our significant digital capabilities.”

The new press will also expand the company’s capabilities to eight-up from six-up. This translates to lower costs per piece and faster turnaround on longer runs. The larger sheet size also opens up new product possibilities for customers who need oversized formats.

Is Ciampi certain that, in today’s market environment, the volume will be there to support the investment? “Absolutely,” he says. “Our uncanny ability to get things done where and when our customers need us to, has driven our growth for many years. Economic instability passes, but we are making this investment for the long-term.”

LED UV Technology Delivers Speed and Sustainability

The RMGT’s efficiency is, in part, due to its LED UV curing system, which eliminates drying time. Sheets cure instantly under LED light and move immediately to finishing operations. There is no waiting, no spray powder, and no risk of set-off. For customers facing tight deadlines, that means faster turnaround from press to bindery.

For customers with a strong sustainability commitment, Ciampi points to the environmental benefits of the press, as well. LED UV technology consumes roughly one-eighth the energy of conventional UV lamp systems and produces no ozone emissions or infrared heat. The press requires no deodorizing equipment or exhaust ducts, and LED UV inks are fully recyclable.

“Fewer sheets for makeready equals less waste,” Ciampi notes. “Plus, UV inks dry instantly and emit no harmful gases, which is something our environmentally conscious clients love.”

The technology also expands Independent Graphics’ substrate capabilities. LED UV works on synthetic paper, which traditional offset inks can’t handle reliably. “We will also be able to print better on uncoated sheets because that UV ink sits nice on uncoated paper,” Ciampi explains.

Perfecting Capability Adds Flexibility

The RMGT 920PF4 will help Independent Graphics expand its capabilities in the catalogs, booklets, and direct mail markets, as well. The press’s two-over-two perfecting configuration prints both sides of the sheet in a single pass with precise front-to-back registration. This is particularly important for pieces where dimensional stability and color consistency across both sides drive quality perception.

All of this furthers Independent Graphics’ reputation for “getting it done” with unmatched turnaround times. But, for Ciampi, it’s also just plain fun. “We’re excited about the installation and ready to have even more fun than we do now,” he says. “We hope our customers do, too.”

IG’s RMGT 920PF4 LED UV press is scheduled for installation in May 2026.