First Press and ADVICE needed!

[[email protected]]

HI.

I want to move to offset and need advice on what a good first offset press would be. I'd like to be able to do full 4 color w/o being a press expert.

Any suggestions?

 

[Neil Meggitt]

HI.

I want to move to offset and need advice on what a good first offset press would be. I'd like to be able to do full 4 color w/o being a press expert.

Any suggestions?

Employ a press expert!

 

[RGPW17100]

SM 52 with coater. With the automation and the CIP pre inking software you can run this press successfully. Old school talent was getting color right and keeping it there. This press holds colors much better. It has software that will automatically adjust water to keep at same density when running faster or slower. When you buy from Heidelberg you will get system service for three years so you will not have to pay for anything that breaks (other then consumables) and you have 24/7 phone support

 

[printerpete]

Are you looking at buying new or used, what budget have you got, what sheet size do you need? have you got any press experiance at all?

 

[GazKL440]

I agree with RGPW1700....you need something very late, if not latest model available, that is fully automated to the point where you really only have to supply it consumables for it to print for you, ie keep giving it ink, paper, fount, spray powder etc etc etc.....something that is either DI or fully auto plate loading....or you could save money on initial cost, buy something a little older(MY2000 at EARLIEST!!!) and hire a pressman to run it!! Today's full automation definately takes the skill out of printing, but you still need some experienced eyes to sort out issues and make minor repairs(that can be massively costly thru techs)....and then there is little things like pantone colours on different stock that can quite literally rape the profit out of your company and force you to drink Kool aid.... You just dont need that...

Im guessing your not looking at a 28" or 40" press, so my recommendation would be as RGPW1700...a fully optioned SM52 with coater, at least 5 col for greater flexibilty.... Good luck with it and let us know what you go with!

 

[[email protected]]

SM 52 questions

SM 52 questions

Thanks for all your responses. I requested information on the SM-52

Correct me if I'm wrong but as far as plates are concerned, there are two types?

Polyester for shorter runs and metal for longer runs? Any advice on what types of plates and platemakers I would need?

What about inks, I've seen water, oil, latex, and soy inks. Any thoughts on what types or brands are best to use?

I've also read about using the first color on a 5 tower as a powder duster. What does this mean?

Any idea on what the whole shebang might cost?

I'm very interested in learning more about these machines. I used to be a copier service technician so have some skills/abilities but offset is still very new to me.

Right now we only do up to 12" x 18" if trimming. I suppose a larger sheet size would give opportunity to grow but I don't want to get a press that's overkill with the thought of growing into it for fear of not getting enough volume to break even on it.

Thanks.
Patrick

 

[RGPW17100]

We got SM 52 off Heidelberg show floor two years old for $750K. That came with installation three week training and three years of system service. When that machine is converted from process ink to Pantone you loose almost a half a day between color washes and set ups. I wont go into that now. Plates stay away from Poly. Some people will chime in that they are fine but getting registration across the sheet and on all five units wont happen. You could start with a cheap MAKO 2 unit. Advantages of this system is in expensive and metal plates . Problem is the unit needs to be in a light safe room and plates need to be punched and hand inserted each time. A machine like the Magnus 400 will cost more but get you out of the dark room and plates are punched in the machine so load the cassette up and little or no time needed baby sitting the machine. We typically run units two through five and bump or depowder on unit one. We use sprint series Kohl and Madden process ink and cost per lb is between 4 and 7 dollars per lb. depending on the process you are using.

 

[OkiTech]

Hi [email protected], another copier technician-offset printer wannabe, well that makes two of us . Things that you need to figure out and present to folks here are:
Size of the sheet that you need, what kind of stocks, how many jobs a day are you planning to run, how many impressions each... There are machines that have their own pros and cons.
Any press - be ready to clean, wash-ups, even with automatic wash-up devices.
if 12x18 format is withing your interest then depends on your jobs criteria you have a choice of 100% digital Press - Imaging huuuuge color laser printer. Than, there is Indigo which is sort of what we get if color laser printer and offset press were married and had a baby, than there is a DI offset press ( I think, it will fit your original request and PressTek makes 14x20 DI press. Still would have to wash it though. There is a problem with PressTek- many many printers hate it for what they did to company called AB Dick - do your research If interested).
If you seriously thinking about Offset - best way, I think, go trough some Printing courses or school, if you can. I still sell and service copiers and have printing shop ( no 4C presses) for 3 years and wish I'd find time to go and learn a little, but I really dig in to those things - I fix most of problems myself, I read , I research, try fix, fail - read more... finally I get it, nothing super complicated. If you think you need bigger size of sheet, like 14x20 and bigger those machines would require you know some to lots of things and getting one without proper knowledge could make you a slave to service company. Anyway, hope I helped a little, Good luck.

 

[Happyprinter]

Bottom line is, you need some training. There isnt a 4 color press out there new or used that can be operated efficiently and to is potential by a novice. There is a pretty good learning curve to running 4 color offset. So many things that I wont waste time talking about. My advice, if you need to get into it immediately, take Neils advice and hire someone who knows 4 color and the 2 of you then look at machines that will fit your niche and budget otherwise you will regret your purchase, almost guaranteed!

 

[kbarz]

good luck in your new adventure, happyprinter makes alot of sence,i am a offset pressman 1st op,for 35 years,and i can tell you i have got to see alot of changes, DO NOT WALK INTO THIS WITH EYES WIDE SHUT,unless you got very deep pockets, because without knowledge of this skilled trade, it will eat you alive. spend an extra $ to find a experienaced operator(and dont get some kid right out of print shop in high school) this will save you more$$$ in the long run.

 

[Bill Rothwell]

I agree with kbarz, I am an offset 1st pressman of 31 years. I just love it when I hear press companies tout that "this press is so easy to run that a cave man can do it". Believe me, if you hire someone to run your press that used to be a landscaper last week, you will be sorry and you will be paying huge repair costs back to the press company. Hire an good expirienced offset pressman, you will quickly find out that his input is your best tool for your success. best of luck in your endevour, Bill

 

[Jonelle]

Kingpd,

If interested, I can send you information on Presstek's DI digital offset presses in both the 12x18 portrait and 14x20 landscape sizes, and have a rep answer your pricing questions.

I can be reached directly at 800-524-0003 x3211, or [email protected].