Investing in the latest technologies is a way of doing business for Panaprint in Macon, Ga., where not one piece of major equipment in the company’s bustling pressroom is more than six years old. Among the latest additions to the company’s 248,000-sq.-foot, state-of-the-art facility are a new 8-color Speedmaster CD 74 with perfector, coater and Inpress Control, and a Stahlfolder TH 66 folder from Heidelberg. “After the success we had installing Heidelberg Stitchmaster ST 400 and ST 450 stitchers as well as a POLAR cutting system last year, we looked to Heidelberg again when we decided to replace our press,” said Panaprint Vice President W. Everette “Rette” Collins. “We are using M600 Goss Web presses originally purchased from Heidelberg, and have been able to move some work off of the Web presses and onto the CD 74. Because the new press allows us to complete larger runs, we can be more competitive on larger sheetfed jobs,” Collins said. The new folder was purchased to help Panaprint keep more finishing work in-house. Installation only took three days, and by the end of the third day with very little training time, the operators already had the folder running at 21,000 pieces per hour on a 2-up job. Panaprint is the first company in the Southeast to install a TH 66 folder with a TSH 70+SPA delivery unit and two-level vertical stacking unit for easier delivery of the finished product. Collins credits the expertise of Panaprint’s 108 employees, along with help from Heidelberg technicians, for keeping Panaprint positioned for growth. “This will certainly be a tough year for the printing industry, but we are going to keep working hard to grow and serve our customers to the best of our ability.” Founded in 1973, Panaprint is managed by President Wanzie Collins with the help of  sons Rette and Christian T. Collins, who joined the company in 1988 to follow in their father’s footsteps. Both are vice presidents of the company; Rette serves as sales manager, and Christian serves as publication manager and special projects director.

California Print Shop Pioneers Exclusive Heidelberg XL 105 Press Design

K&D Graphics of Orange, Calif. recently partnered with Heidelberg to develop a unique configuration of Heidelberg’s peak-performance Speedmaster XL 105 press with 16 units. The new press, which was installed in late 2008, features an optional CutStar feeder that can switch from roll-fed to sheetfed mode at the push of a button. The XL 105 features 12 printing units with multiple coating units drying units and a perfector. In one pass, the press prints six colors and coats on both sides of the sheet. “We can reduce press check time for our customers on the XL 105, because it can complete a full print job in one pass, no matter how complex the job,” said President Don Chew. “Not only are we more productive, but we are also more cost-effective because of the efficiencies of the XL 105.” K&D replaced a smaller-model six-color press with the XL 105. “We just ran a 700,000-sheet job in five days that would have taken us three weeks on the old press,” Chew said. Although his company has been in the packaging market for eight years, Chew installed the XL 105 to boost the company’s overall packaging capabilities. The family owned commercial printing and paperboard packaging production company hopes to have more opportunities in the near future for complex jobs including double-coating, perfecting in one pass and producing plastic and other packaging materials on the new press. “We designed the press with UV capability as a foray into the high-end packaging market,” Chew said. K&D also boasts a Heidelberg Prinect prepress and workflow system, and uses Heidelberg Saphira Consumables throughout the shop. The company, founded in 1982 in the family’s garage, now operates two 6-color Speedmaster CD 102 presses with double in-line aqueous/UV-activated coaters alongside a fully-equipped bindery featuring two POLAR System II cutting systems, a Stahlfolder TH 82 folder, a Stitchmaster ST 450 stitcher and a new Diana X 135-B folding carton gluer. “I wanted to invest in finishing equipment that would support the high-quality work from the new press and help keep us on deadline,” Chew said. “Delivering on time is important to us and to our customers. Our reliable Heidelberg bindery equipment not only keeps us on schedule every time, but also produces the high-quality results that our customers have come to expect.” With 56 employees and the latest technologies, K&D is well-positioned for strategic growth and success in 2009.

Heidelberg Helps West Coast Shop Make A Speedy Recovery

After a major humidification system malfunction destroyed a majority of the equipment at AdPro Litho of Mulkilteo, Wash., owners Gary and Chris Smith turned to Heidelberg for help. The company lost three six-color presses to rust and water damage. To help the family owned company get back up and running, Heidelberg expedited the installation of a new 6-color Speedmaster SM 52 press. “The Heidelberg installation team was extremely helpful with the expedited process,” said Smith. “The press was installed and in production in less than two weeks.” The company had been running a similar SM 52 press from Heidelberg before the accident, and was so pleased with the press that they decided to stick with the model when rebuilding began. “We originally replaced two older-model presses with the SM 52, which could handle all of the work of those two presses in half the time,” Smith said. Before the accident, Smith had made plans to eventually install a peak-performance Speedmaster XL 105 – plans he has kept despite challenging times. “Everything has fallen into place, even if the timing isn’t what I expected,” Smith said. “We are very proud to be the first print shop in the state of Washington to install a Speedmaster XL 105 from Heidelberg.” Though the installation is not yet complete, Smith and his family have high expectations for the press. As a trade shop that primarily prints for other printers, printing brokers and design companies, AdPro Litho has no sales staff, “But that hasn’t stopped word from spreading about the XL 105,” Smith said. The company also runs a Stahlfolder folder and POLAR cutter from Heidelberg, and plans to install another cutting system or new stitcher in the near future. The shop uses Heidelberg Saphira Consumables, including blanket wash rolls and blankets. Founded in 1983, AdPro Litho now boasts 26 employees, including three generations of the Smith family.  

POLAR Cutter Scores Productivity Points for Hadley Printing

For many years, Hadley Printing in Holyoke, Mass. relied on two older-model POLAR cutters to handle all of its cutting needs. As the mid-size shop has grown, so has its need for a more advanced, larger cutting machine that can handle complex cutting jobs over two shifts. Company President Chris DesRosiers recently decided to augment his cutting capability with a new POLAR 137XT cutter from Heidelberg. “The POLAR has been running for less than two months, and I can already tell that it is an excellent fit for our shop,” DesRosiers said. “It certainly is a step up in capability for us, and we have already increased our productivity with the ability to turn 40-inch sheets inside the cutting area.” The high-speed POLAR 137 XT is JDF-compatible, a feature that DesRosiers is excited to take advantage of in the near future. The cutter is also fully programmable with a variety of cutting options, and can be used for cutting paper, paperboard, cardboard and plastic foils at speeds of up to 45 cycles per minute. Hadley Printing’s 30 employees serve a variety of customers in the greater New England area, producing high-quality general commercial materials. The company has been in production for more than 100 years.

Mark Advertising Joins Ohio’s Printing Elite, Ups the Ante with New Heidelberg Press

Mark Advertising Agency in Sandusky, Ohio recently upgraded its capabilities with a new 4-color Printmaster PM 74 press from Heidelberg. “We wanted to be more competitive in the marketplace as far as actual printing capability and pricing options,” said President Shelly Chesbro. “High-quality output is a priority for us, and we are thrilled with the results that the new PM 74 has produced so far.” The 29-inch press has proven a productive complement to Mark Advertising’s existing array of equipment, which includes two older-model 20 x 28-inch Heidelberg SORMZ presses, and two very old Heidelberg platen presses. “We have run Heidelberg equipment since we opened more than 44 years ago, and have come to expect the best quality and highest standards with Heidelberg,” Chesbro said. “My clients deserve the best, and that is what we produce.” Now with 14 employees, Mark Advertising offers in-house design, digital photography, prepress services, as well as complete bindery and mail fulfillment services. The company uses Heidelberg Saphira Consumables and relies on Heidelberg’s Expert Service Team to keep its equipment well-maintained. The shop produces general commercial items such as company brochures, booklets, postcards, folders, and spec sheets.

Rick’s Printing Sees Record Growth, Credits Heidelberg Presses

According to Rick Jacobs, taking the first step into mid-sized offset printing has been “better than my wildest dreams.” The owner of Rick’s Printing in Portland, Ore. has run his new 4-color Heidelberg Speedmaster CD 74 press for a little over two months and is already singing its praises. “The CD 74 has allowed us to be very competitive in our market,” Jacobs said. “We can now compete with some of the 40-inch presses in our market, and can deliver higher-quality results at a lower cost than most of our competition.” With automated makeready and user-friendly operation, the CD 74 is a perfect complement to the pressroom at Rick’s Printing. Since its installation, the press has been running for approximately 12 hours per day, producing high-quality general commercial work. “We’ve been buried in work on the new press,” Jacobs said. “We are able to take some of the pressure off of our Printmaster PM 52 press and be more strategic about our production methods.” An all-Heidelberg shop, Rick’s Printing operates a Printmaster QM 46 press along with the PM 52 and CD 74 presses. All three presses are supported by a Prosetter 74 violet platesetter from Heidelberg, which was installed last year, as well as Heidelberg Saphira Consumables. “When my wife and I started this company with a QM 46 press and one POLAR cutter from Heidelberg, I would have never believed the growth we would experience in seven short years,” Jacobs said. The truth is in the results: Rick’s Printing has experienced month after month of record growth and is planning for more. “We will continue our aggressive growth strategy with Heidelberg equipment.”

Petree Press Goes Chemistry-Free with Suprasetter from Heidelberg

A suburb of Washington, D.C., Sterling Va. boasts Dulles National Airport, the former headquarters of AOL, and Heidelberg customer Petree Press. Noel Petree, president of Petree Press, recently took a stand and upgraded his prepress operations with a chemistry-free Suprasetter A52 platesetter with automation from Heidelberg. The company already has realized savings in time and resources, and credits its recent success to Heidelberg’s technology advances. “We installed the Suprasetter around three months ago, and have already eliminated one position in our prepress department because of the advanced automation and technology enhancements,” Petree said. “We can also see the difference in color and quality. It’s the same wonderful Heidelberg quality that we have come to know and expect over the past 12 years.” Petree Press upgraded its Heidelberg Prinect workflow as well, installing the latest versions of Prinect MetaDimension and Prinect Signa Station software to help keep up with the pace of the new Suprasetter. The company now uses Saphira Chemfree Thermal plates, as well as a variety of Heidelberg Saphira Consumables throughout the shop to maximize the results of its Heidelberg equipment. Currently, Petree Press runs two Speedmaster SM 52 presses and a Printmaster QM 46 in its pressroom, along with a full bindery of Heidelberg finishing equipment. “We have long relied primarily on Heidelberg equipment to enhance our reputation for quality high-end work,” Petree said. “Our client base consists of high-end arts organizations, advertising design companies and area corporations, and Heidelberg has helped us deliver on our promise of the highest-quality results possible.” Founded in 1986, Petree Press now has 10 employees.  

Ryan Printing Chooses Heidelberg for Prepress, Pressroom and Postpress

Ryan Printing in Blauvelt, N.Y. recently advanced to the next level of production capability and automation with the installation of a new 4-color Speedmaster SM 74 press with coater, a Eurobind 600 adhesive binder and a Prosetter multi-cassette loader (MCL) 74 violet platesetter, all from Heidelberg. The all-Heidelberg shop needed to increase its production capability to complete more complex jobs in-house, and after experiencing success with advanced automation technology from Heidelberg, the company knew where to turn. “We needed to boost our coating and production capabilities, reduce stress on our prepress department, and offer more options in the bindery,” said Owner Al Ryan. “With new Heidelberg equipment in every area of the shop, our production is up. We are producing higher-quality finished products and our workflow is much smoother. We trust Heidelberg technology because we know the end result will be perfect, which means we can concentrate on our clients,” Ryan said. The company currently operates three additional Heidelberg presses: a 5-color Speedmaster CD 74 with coating unit, a 2-color Printmaster QM 46, and a Heidelberg DI press. With the addition of the Eurobind 600, the bindery now includes a full suite of postpress equipment – a Heidelberg POLAR 115 cutting system, two continuous-feed Stahlfolder B26 folders and a Heidelberg Stitchmaster ST 90 saddlestitcher. Ryan Printing utilizes Heidelberg Saphira Consumables, including Saphira Violet plates. Founded in 1992, the company serves a local and regional clientele producing brochures, newsletters, slipcovers, postcards, catalogs, stationery and direct mail pieces. The shop currently employs 13.

Heidelberg Technologies Deliver Success for West Virginia Shop

Since it opened more than 42 years ago, Central Printing has evolved from a one-man shop into a full-color, full-service printing company. To stay ahead of the competition, the company recently decided to cut down on makeready time and ink usage and looked for ways to further automate its processes. The answer came in the form of a new 5-color Speedmaster SM 74 press with coater from Heidelberg. “The SM 74 was definitely the way to go for us,” said General Manager Rick Fazio. “With shorter makereadies and faster results, it’s amazing what the press has done for our operation.” The new SM 74 replaced an older-model press, bringing greater efficiencies to the shop. The quest for efficiency didn’t end in the pressroom, however. A new 8-pocket Stitchmaster ST 90 saddlestitcher was added to the bindery, and the company’s Prinect Printready workflow was upgraded as well. “Our new press, saddlestitcher and workflow upgrades were the perfect final touches to complete our all-Heidelberg shop,” Fazio said. The prepress department at Central Printing completed its own facelift in 2008, in connection with which it detoxified all chemicals and implemented the Suprasetter A74 platesetter with automation from Heidelberg, along with Saphira Chemfree Thermal plates. The all-Heidelberg shop currently has 14 employees at its Beckley, W.Va. location, and produces general commercial work for local clients.

A Cut Above: Art Bindery Upgrades with Latest POLAR Technology

Art Bindery in Birmingham, Ala. has purchased a new POLAR 137 XT cutter from Heidelberg to replace an existing POLAR cutting system that was more than 20 years old. “We now have four POLAR cutters running full-time,” said Vice President Dale Schaefer. “We chose the POLAR 137 XT with Autotrim so that we wouldn’t have to worry about waste removal, which was a big problem for us.” A large part Art Bindery’s business is cutting magnets, which would stick to the magnetic metal of the cutters and cause a build-up of waste. “We spent a lot of time cleaning up waste from the magnets,” Schaefer said. “With our new POLAR, waste is removed automatically, saving our operators valuable time and increasing our productivity. This is our second POLAR cutter with Autotrim, and I can’t imagine using anything else,” he affirmed. With 30 employees, Art Bindery provides finishing services to a variety of local customers.
 

PMDC Visit Inspires New Mexico Printer To Purchase New Heidelberg Press

John King, owner of The Paper Tiger in Santa Fe, N.M., was looking for a press with high productivity and fast makeready times that could compete with digital alternatives. He found just that in a new 4-color Speedmaster SM 52 press, equipped with an in-line aqueous coater and Heidelberg’s innovative Anicolor inking system. King and his staff traveled to Heidelberg’s Print Media Demonstration Center (PMDC) in Kennesaw, Ga. to see the press in action, and were so impressed by what they saw that they wound up purchasing the demo press. The investment has paid off. “It’s great having a coater on the machine,” King said. “It really improves the product. Fingerprints don’t show and it’s a much harder image.” Founded in 1978, The Paper Tiger has 14 employees and focuses on general commercial, business marketing and direct mail. In addition to the new press, the shop also runs an existing Speedmaster SM 52 and a Printmaster GTO from Heidelberg. King and his staff are also impressed with Heidelberg’s service, especially its Systemservice 36plus program, which includes all parts and labor for three years. “It’s a great thing,” King said, adding, “Heidelberg has been very proactive in identifying problems via computer hookup. And the people who work on the presses are eminently qualified.”


Millennium Press Invests in Speedmaster XL 75 and Prinect Workflow Solutions

Even before Heidelberg’s new Speedmaster XL 75 press was unveiled at drupa 2008, Millennium Press was reaping the benefits of its advanced automation and 18,000 sph speed. Installed in September 2007, the press was delivered with the much-anticipated Prinect Press Center control station and full Prinect peak-performance package. “I wanted to have the ability to get jobs done faster,” Owner Jim Sullivan said. “Not only did the XL 75 exceed our expectations in terms of quality and speed, but we also have learned that software is a big factor in our shop’s overall workflow.” To stay ahead of the game, Sullivan recently invested in a suite of Prinect workflow solution upgrades from Heidelberg, including Prinect Prinance management information system (MIS); Prinect Prepress Manager; Prinect Integration Manager; Prinect Pressroom Manager; Prinect Archive System; Prinect Digital Print Manager and Prinect Scheduler. “By enabling our Prinect workflow solutions to work together, we are able to produce more work in less time,” Sullivan said. “We are able to sell more of our services without hiring additional sales staff because of the automated capabilities we now have in place,” Sullivan said. The shop also operates a Suprasetter 75 platesetter and uses Heidelberg Saphira thermal plates. Adds Sullivan, “I hope to invest in an second XL 75 press soon, as well as to continue to fill in our Prinect workflow capabilities as part of our aggressive growth strategy.” Located in Agawam, Mass., the 18-employee general commercial shop relies on Heidelberg equipment in the bindery as well, including a new, fully automated Stahlfolder TH folder. Millennium Press was founded in 1989, and will celebrate 20 successful years in business this year.
 

Impressive Printing and Copy Center Installs First Heidelberg Press

Barbara Hagele, president of Impressive Printing and Copy Center in Tampa, Fla., had never owned a Heidelberg. But after seeing a demonstration of a new 2-color Printmaster QM 46 press as part of a CPrint Alliance seminar, it wasn’t long before she had one in her shop. “We had experienced some problems with a couple of our smaller presses,” Hagele said. “Then we saw what the Heidelberg could do and thought it would make a good addition to the shop. We’re very pleased with the results. The registration falls right in. It’s really a nice press.” In business for 23 years, Impressive specializes in spot color, single- and two-color printing. The shop also provides mailing services. Impressive Printing has won CPrint’s “Eagle Award” for outstanding management two years in a row.


Ohio Shop Bumps Up Production with New Speedmaster from Heidelberg

Troy, Ohio has branded itself as a city that “blends home town and high tech.” The same can be said of Corigraphics one of Troy’s best-known print shops. Founded more than 30 years ago by current President Joe Corigan, Corigraphics is focused on delivering high-quality printed materials to its global network of customers. Given a recent upswing in demand for more complicated materials, including spot color and coating, Corigan needed a new press that could handle the additional workload. This press came in the form of a 5-color Speedmaster CD 74 with coater from Heidelberg. “The results on the CD 74 are phenomenal,” Corigan said. “The machine is a dream. Makeready is incredibly fast. I can’t say enough about how pleased we are.” Using the press in conjunction with a Heidelberg Suprasetter A74 platesetter installed last year, Corigraphics has saved time and money from the now simplified process from prepress to finished product. “The plates are ready quickly and are easily hung on the press, and the entire process is much simpler now,” Corigan said. Operators at Corigraphics use Heidelberg Saphira Consumables, including Saphira Chemfree thermal plates. The shop also operates a Stahlfolder TH 82 folder and a POLAR cutter, as well as Speedmaster SM 74 and Printmaster GTO 52 presses. The general commercial shop employs 21, and last year celebrated the 25th anniversary of head pressman, Jim Hamilton. Corigraphics serves a global client base and produces general commercial and folding carton materials.


New POLAR Cutter Boosts Packaging Capability at Windward Press

Windward Press, Seattle, Wash. has a passion for packaging. Although though the company provides full-service printing and lends its graphic design expertise to  customers throughout the northwestern U.S., it specializes in complex, eye-catching packaging for the music industry. “The work that we do is multi-faceted,” said President David Livingston. “Customers are requesting more and more complex packaging options, and our equipment has to deliver on those demands.” For that reason, the company recently replaced an aging POLAR cutter with a new POLAR 115 XT with Autotrim from Heidelberg. The new cutter has increased the shop’s productivity by at least 30 percent, thanks to its automation, programmable options and an automatic waste removal feature. “The POLAR 115 XT has improved our quality, speed and throughput,” Livingston said. “This upgrade has transformed our shop and made us more productive on the back end.” Windward Press runs additional Heidelberg equipment in the bindery, including another POLAR cutter and jogger. In prepress, the company operates a Heidelberg Prosetter violet platesetter and uses Heidelberg Saphira Violet plates. A Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified company, Windward Press takes its environmental responsibility seriously. “We strive to stay aware of and embrace new technologies that will not only benefit our customers, but ultimately our company and the community in which we live,” Livingston said. Founded in 1982, the company currently employs a staff of 12.


New York Shop Makes the Upgrade to CtP with Heidelberg Technology

When Miller Printing and Litho, Inc. in Amsterdam, N.Y. decided to upgrade its prepress operations with its first-ever computer-to-plate system, the Prosetter 102 platesetter from Heidelberg was an easy choice. The shop already ran four Heidelberg presses and its leaders felt good about Heidelberg’s reputation for quality and service. “I know I am going to be taken care of,” said Eben Miller, the shop’s owner. “Heidelberg stands behind its products.” The upgrade from film processing to plate making is “working out great,” Miller said. “It’s a huge transition and it has been amazing. Our people are not wasting so much time stripping and plating. What used to be very time consuming is now fast and efficient.” In addition to the new Prosetter, Miller also runs a 2-color Speedmaster SM 74 press with coater, a Quickmaster DI press and a pair of 2-color Printmaster QM 46 presses.  The shop uses Saphira Violet plates in its new platesetter, and Saphira consumables in its pressroom. Miller’s relationship with Heidelberg goes beyond the equipment itself. “I feel good about doing business with Heidelberg. I feel connected to our service guys. I feel I can trust them.”


Winston Packaging Connects with Prinect Workflow Solutions from Heidelberg

The press operators at Winston Packaging in Winston Salem, N.C. take pride in high-quality color printing and the precision finishing of folding cartons, labels and packages. The shop’s pressroom boasts a 6-color Speedmaster CD 102 with in-line tower coater from Heidelberg, and the company recently upgraded to Heidelberg’s Prinect Image Control to stay ahead in color management. “Prinect Image Control has enabled our press operators to meet high standards for quality because of its simple operation and effective color measurement,” said James Gordon, owner of the company. “The new workflow components significantly reduce makeready times and improve color accuracy throughout the entire run.” Heidelberg’s Prinect Image Control is a high-performance, closed-loop, spectrophotometric color measurement system that provides online color control for each printing unit while the press is running. “Since integrating the system into our pressroom, I’m more confident about the consistent quality of the finished product,” Gordon said. Winston Packaging was established in 1999 as the evolution of Winston Printing Company’s commercial printing operation after many years of producing packaging components for several area consumer product companies. The firm offers structural and graphic design, offset, flexographic and digital printing and a full suite of finishing options.