KENNESAW, Ga. – July 15, 2008 – Independent Printing Company, known as IPCO, is preparing for its upcoming 100th anniversary and planning for the future with a new 6-color Speedmaster XL 105 press with coater from Heidelberg. The new press, which is the first Speedmaster XL 105 installed in the Northwest, was purchased to expand the company’s capabilities and increase productivity. Since its installation, the press already is responsible for at least four new national accounts for IPCO.

“As a family-owned and -operated company, we are very proud of our four-generation history and heritage, as well as the quality of work that we produce for our customers,” President Kurt Brombacher said. “Our new XL 105 will enable us to provide even better service to our customers while maintaining our standards for the highest quality.”

In order to continue its legacy for excellence in both general commercial and package printing, IPCO looked to Heidelberg press technology to improve performance of the company’s Ashland, Ore. facility. As a printer that produces a broad range of materials on substrates ranging from paper to plastics, IPCO needed a versatile press with proven results. The company’s leadership team traveled to Heidelberg’s Print Media Demonstration Center (PMDC) in Kennesaw, Ga. to test the XL 105 with its own sample job on plastic stock. “After experiencing the results of the press first-hand, we immediately signed the order for our own XL 105,” Brombacher said.

Along with the new press, IPCO installed Heidelberg’s Prinect Image Control color management system, which is now an integral part of IPCO’s label and re-run work. “Color consistency throughout a run is extremely important to us and our clients,” Brombacher said. “Our clients require a broad range of printed materials, and we use Prinect Image Control to ensure that brand colors are consistent throughout the job, from the computer screen through customer delivery.” Prinect Image Control automatically evaluates mini spots during production and corrects any tonal and color discrepancies in the prepress stage, making it simple to stabilize tonal values and control overall image quality. “We rely heavily on Prinect Image Control as our central measuring system for standardized color measurements, and use Prinect Prepress Interface for seamless workflow across the shop,” Brombacher said. “Overall, our make-ready time and production speeds are enhanced because of the Prinect workflow software.”

Heidelberg’s Speedmaster XL 105, now in use from coast to coast, includes the following features:
- Real production speeds of 18,000 sph
- Automated inking, blanket and impression cylinder washup
- Prinect CP2000 Center, a single touch-screen control for all press functions
- Preset Plus Feeder and Delivery for improved sheet travel
- Autoplate Advanced for accurate plate changing
- Hycolor integrated inking and dampening for superior quality at the highest speeds
- Precise, reliable sheet travel
- DryStar 3000 dryer with patented round jet array for maximum dryer output
- Specially-designed Preset Plus Delivery for long runs

In addition to its new XL 105, IPCO runs two other Heidelberg presses, including a 4-color Printmaster GTO 52 and 5-color Speedmaster CD 102 perfector with coating unit. The company relies on Heidelberg Saphira Perfect Dot Blankets, which are one piece of a full line of Heidelberg Saphira consumables available. The company produces general commercial materials as well as packaging, from artwork to finishing, for its national customers concentrated in the food, beverage, retail and lawn maintenance industries.

“We service many well-known national brands that expect their products to be consistent in color and overall production,” Brombacher said. The company boasts seven packaging graphic artists who design many projects from the ground up – a service IPCO has been offering for more than 40 years. “We have had some of our largest clients for many years, and some have just come on board. We treat all of our customers with the same service now as when my father ran IPCO, and our relationship with Heidelberg helps us continue the level of excellent service that our customers expect.”

IPCO also produces ballots for the county government out of its Martinez, Ca. facility. “We have been printing ballots for the county since the 1930s, and this year will be no exception,” Brombacher said.
In business since 1910, IPCO’s dedication to customer service is evident across the company. “People say we have ink in our blood,” said Brombacher.