Offset Printing

Heidelberg Technologies Deliver Success for West Virginia Shop

Wednesday 11. February 2009 - 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.