Small offset VS digital press

Reaction in the offset segment to emerging digital print technology

Twenty years ago, a discussion began in the graphic industry concerning the merits of traditional offset printing presses as compared to the capabilites of the new digital print technology in terms of quality, cost efficiency and volume flexibility.
Today, the controversy is still alive, but the unique power of digital print, when it comes to small jobs with limited numbers of copies, combined with the added advantage of easy personalization, is undisputed. The potential of digital print is clear. But there are still many jobs where the digital press can not match the undiminished strength and cost efficiency of the classic 35x50 offset press.

The digital universe of paper and printing knowledge www.sappi.com/houston

Anilox system printing machine

With the exception of variable data with these printing machines the gap between digital and offset became smaller even for few copies jobs, thanks to Anilox system, Heidelberg installed 250 printing machines in the world.

The differences between standard and Anilox system

Conventional Anilox System

The same ink profile is reachable through the speed rotation and temperature adjustment of the rollers/cylinders inside the inking system, reducing time in make ready.

The ink density on the control bar remain always the same even with different solids /pictures on the job.

In only seven minutes it is possible to change from one job to another, wasting only few sheets during the make ready.
From one job to another Plate change 3.5min Blanket wash up 2.5min Start up 1.0min Make ready 7.0 min

the 10th sheet is already sellable

In the printing machine it is possible to install a small ink jet head that allows a personalization bringing the Anilox technology quite close to the digital world.
Furthermore the Anilox technology printing machines are delivered with the system zero CO2 emission allowing an ecological printed product with paper certified PEFC and FSC.

Digital and offset together?

Number of sheets

monochrome 2 colour

5 colour + special effects

In the last years the number of copies per job has clearly decreased instead the four color jobs have increased very fast, bringing the printers in front of an arduous choice offset or digital? The best solution for companies with small run jobs is to have both in order to cover all the jobs starting from one copy up to 5.000copies.

With Anilox technology and digital printing today it is possible to have the best option to give a very fast answer to the market request in terms of few copies with a good result and personalization and higher number of copies with all the added value printing that standard offset gives.