Offset Printing

Rapid City Shop Stays Competitive with New 6-Color Speedmaster SM 74 from Heidelberg

Wednesday 07. May 2008 - Dan Simpson put Heidelberg’s Print Media Demonstration Center (PMDC) in Kennesaw, Ga. to the test when deciding how to upgrade his shop, Simpson’s Creative Printers in Rapid City, S.D.

“We created four pretty difficult jobs for the demo room to run for us,” he said, as he evaluated a new Heidelberg 6-color Speedmaster SM 74 press with perfector and aqueous coater. “Once we saw the press in action, we were satisfied that it was the press for us.” Simpson especially liked the perfecting system on the SM 74. “It’s a great tool,” he said. “It’s easy to use and I felt really comfortable with the perfecting unit Heidelberg has on this press — a feeling that has proven true, post-installation.” The technical capabilities of the press were outstanding — but in the end, it was service, workflow integration and Simpson’s relationship with Heidelberg that made his decision easy. “When you add up the total — the cost of the press, our relationship, print quality, features — it just made sense,” Simpson said. “We are far from a large city. Heidelberg has invested pretty heavily in the Rocky Mountain region, and they have people in Denver who can easily get here and keep us running. That was also a big consideration.” Simpson opted for systemservice 36plus, which includes all repair services, parts and 24/7 support for three years. In addition to the new Speedmaster SM 74, the shop also runs a host of prepress, press and postpress Heidelberg equipment, including a Prosetter violet platesetter, a 2-color Printmaster QM 46, two POLAR cutters, a Stahlfolder B26 folder and a 6-pocket Stitchmaster saddlestitcher. Simpson has noticed an increase in sales since upgrading his shop. “I believe March was the largest month we’ve ever had,” he said.