Choosing the Right Printing Press & Key Accessories for Your Print Shop – A Guide to Offset, Digital & Other Presses

Choosing the Right Printing Press for Your Needs

Selecting the right printing press is crucial for any print shop or in-house production facility. The type of press you need depends on your volume, substrate, quality, and budget requirements. Here are some key factors to consider when evaluating presses.

Press Type

The main types of presses include:

• Offset - Uses plates to transfer inked images onto a rubber blanket and then onto paper. Best for high volume printing.
  • Sheetfed - Prints on individual sheets of paper.
  • Web - Prints on a continuous roll of paper.
• Digital - Uses toner to print pages directly from a digital file. Best for variable data and short runs.
• Flexographic - Uses flexible raised plates to print on paper, plastic, metallic films, and more. Ideal for packaging and labels.
• Screen - Uses a stencil to push ink through a fine mesh screen. Commonly used for high quality posters, signage, and textiles.

Print Size

Consider the maximum print size you require. Common sizes include:

Speed

Determine your volume needs. Speeds vary greatly:

• Small presses - Under 1,000 impressions/hour
• Medium-speed presses - 1,000 to 10,000 impressions/hour
• High-speed presses - Over 10,000 impressions/hour

Print Quality

Evaluate print quality based on:

• Resolution - Higher dots per inch (dpi) means sharper images.
• Registration - How precisely colors line up.
• Ink/toner density - Rich, dense solids.

Offset presses offer the best quality. Digital has made improvements in recent years but still does not match offset for critical color work.

Budget

Presses range widely in cost from a few thousand to millions of dollars. Consider total cost of ownership including maintenance and operating expenses.

By carefully weighing your specific requirements, you can select the ideal press to meet your printing needs and budget.

Evaluating Size, Speed, and Print Quality

When selecting a printing press, three key factors to evaluate are print size, speed, and quality.

Print Size

The maximum print size, also known as sheet size, is an important consideration. Common sizes include:

• Small format - 8.5 x 11 in or 12 x 18 in
• Medium format - Up to 18 x 24 in
• Large format - Up to 28 x 40 in or larger

Consider the type of products you will be printing and choose a press that can accommodate your maximum anticipated sheet size.

Print Speed

Print speed is measured by impressions per hour (IPH). Speeds can range dramatically:

Evaluate your average run lengths and peak production levels. A slower press can become a bottleneck.

Print Quality

Key metrics for print quality:

• Resolution - Higher dots per inch (dpi) means sharper images.
• Registration - How precisely colors align.
• Ink density - Rich, dense solids.
• Color gamut - Range of colors able to be reproduced.

Offset lithography delivers excellent quality. Digital presses offer good results for short runs but have a smaller color gamut. Flexographic presses are better suited for simple spot color graphics.

Compare print samples from different presses. Examine fine details and consistency across long print runs.

Prioritize quality for critical projects like marketing materials. For some internal documents, moderate quality may suffice.

Balancing size, speed, and quality needs will lead you to the optimal press for your printing requirements and budget.

Understanding Different Press Types

There are several major types of printing presses, each with their own strengths and weaknesses.

Offset Lithography

Offset lithographic presses use plates to transfer images onto a rubber blanket cylinder before printing on paper. Ink and water balance on the plates to define the images.

Advantages:

• Excellent print quality with sharp details, smooth gradients, and wide color gamut.
• High speeds on large sheetfed and web presses.
• Long lasting aluminum plates.
• Cost effective for mid to long runs (500+ copies).

Disadvantages:

• High make-ready time and cost for plate imaging and setup.
• Not suitable for variable data or short runs.

Digital Printing

Digital presses use toner or inkjet technology to print directly from digital files without plates.

Advantages:

• Fast setup and changeover between jobs.
• Ideal for variable data and on-demand printing.
• Cost effective for short runs (under 500 copies).

Disadvantages:

• Slower speeds than offset, maxing around 150 pages/minute.
• Smaller color gamut and image quality limitations.
• Higher cost per page than offset on longer runs.

Flexographic Printing

Flexo uses flexible, raised photopolymer plates to transfer water-based inks onto materials including plastic, foil, and paper.

Advantages:

• Ability to print on non-porous surfaces like films, foils, and plastics.
• Ideal for packaging, labels, and tags.

Disadvantages:

• Lower print quality with less fine detail than offset.
• Limited to spot colors and process color.

Understanding the unique advantages of each press type allows you to select the best method for your specific print project.

Important Press Features and Accessories

Beyond basic print quality and speed, printing presses come with a variety of features and can be enhanced with accessories and attachments. Here are some to consider when purchasing a press:

Feeders and Conveyors

These automation tools help optimize workflow:

• Sheet feeders - Automatically feed paper from piles into the press.
• Conveyors - Transport printed sheets into drying or stacks.
• Pallet loaders - Allow rolls or skids of paper to be staged for continuous feeding.

Print Cylinders

Cylinders can be customized for specialty applications:

• Interchangeable cylinders - Allow quick changeover for different repeat sizes.
• Coated cylinders - Provide compatibility with UV, EB, or other inks.
• Gapless blankets - Improve printing on plastics.

Inking Systems

Upgraded inking controls consistency and reduces waste:

• Closed loop color control - Automatically measures and adjusts ink densities.
• Chambered doctor blade - Only inks image areas, saving excess ink.
• Direct ink drum metering - Precisely controls ink film thickness.

Registration and Imaging

• Camera systems - Optically verify registration across colors.
• CIP4 compatible RIPs - Automate prepress workflow.
• Spectrophotometers - Ensure color accuracy.

Press Controls

• Preset capabilities - Allow stored job settings to be recalled.
• Digital remote control - Enable control from anywhere.
• Auto inspection systems - Detect print defects and stop press.

Choosing the right press features and accessories for your needs ensures optimal print quality, consistency, and efficiency.

Product Categories

Here are the product categories for printing presses and accessories based on the search results:

1. Printing Presses
2. Presses for Block Printing, Etching, and Screen Printing
3. Heat Press Machines
4. Relief Printing Presses
5. Screen Printing Presses
6. Lithography Presses and Printing Supplies

Hand Press Printing

Hand press printing is a type of printmaking that involves using a hand-operated press to transfer ink or paint from a carved block, plate, or screen onto a variety of surfaces. Here are some key points about hand press printing based on the search results:

Hand press printing is a popular technique used in printmaking.

Block printing presses are commonly used for hand press printing with carved wood and linoleum blocks.

Relief printing presses are also used for hand press printing.

Hand press printing can be done on a variety of surfaces, including paper, fabric, and more.

Hand printing presses can be purchased from a variety of sources, including art supply stores, online marketplaces, and specialty shops.

Accessories for hand printing presses, such as squeegees and rollers, can also be purchased.

Printmaking Press Machine

Based on the search results, here are some information about printmaking press machines:

Printmaking press machines are used to transfer ink or paint from a carved block, plate, or screen onto a variety of surfaces.

There are different types of printmaking press machines available for different techniques, including block printing, etching, and screen printing.

Block printing presses are commonly used for hand press printing with carved wood and linoleum blocks.

Etching presses are used to shift paint from an etched plate onto a surface.

Screen printing presses push inked designs through a screen. Artists press ink or paint through the screen using a squeegee.

Printmaking press machines can be purchased from a variety of sources, including art supply stores, online marketplaces, and specialty shops.

Some popular brands for printmaking presses include Speedball, Conrad, and Blick.

• Choosing the Right Printing Press for Your Needs
• Press Type
• Print Size
• Speed
• Print Quality
• Budget
• Evaluating Size, Speed, and Print Quality
• Print Size
• Print Speed
• Print Quality
• Understanding Different Press Types
• Offset Lithography
• Digital Printing
• Flexographic Printing
• Important Press Features and Accessories
• Feeders and Conveyors
• Print Cylinders
• Inking Systems
• Registration and Imaging
• Press Controls
• Product Categories
• Hand Press Printing
• Printmaking Press Machine