Offset Printing

California Print Shop Pioneers Exclusive Heidelberg XL 105 Press Design

Tuesday 03. February 2009 - K&D Graphics of Orange, Calif. recently partnered with Heidelberg to develop a unique configuration of Heidelberg’s peak-performance Speedmaster XL 105 press with 16 units.

The new press, which was installed in late 2008, features an optional CutStar feeder that can switch from roll-fed to sheetfed mode at the push of a button. The XL 105 features 12 printing units with multiple coating units drying units and a perfector. In one pass, the press prints six colors and coats on both sides of the sheet. “We can reduce press check time for our customers on the XL 105, because it can complete a full print job in one pass, no matter how complex the job,” said President Don Chew. “Not only are we more productive, but we are also more cost-effective because of the efficiencies of the XL 105.” K&D replaced a smaller-model six-color press with the XL 105. “We just ran a 700,000-sheet job in five days that would have taken us three weeks on the old press,” Chew said. Although his company has been in the packaging market for eight years, Chew installed the XL 105 to boost the company’s overall packaging capabilities. The family owned commercial printing and paperboard packaging production company hopes to have more opportunities in the near future for complex jobs including double-coating, perfecting in one pass and producing plastic and other packaging materials on the new press. “We designed the press with UV capability as a foray into the high-end packaging market,” Chew said. K&D also boasts a Heidelberg Prinect prepress and workflow system, and uses Heidelberg Saphira Consumables throughout the shop. The company, founded in 1982 in the family’s garage, now operates two 6-color Speedmaster CD 102 presses with double in-line aqueous/UV-activated coaters alongside a fully-equipped bindery featuring two POLAR System II cutting systems, a Stahlfolder TH 82 folder, a Stitchmaster ST 450 stitcher and a new Diana X 135-B folding carton gluer. “I wanted to invest in finishing equipment that would support the high-quality work from the new press and help keep us on deadline,” Chew said. “Delivering on time is important to us and to our customers. Our reliable Heidelberg bindery equipment not only keeps us on schedule every time, but also produces the high-quality results that our customers have come to expect.” With 56 employees and the latest technologies, K&D is well-positioned for strategic growth and success in 2009.