Crossmark Graphics Adds Second Koenig & Bauer Rapida 106 Six-Color Press

Wisconsin-based Crossmark Graphics, which provides printing on plastics, packaging, point-of-purchase, lenticular and direct mail – in addition to a range of commercial work – added a second Koenig & Bauer Rapida 106 press.

“Our goal is to make magic on paper or whatever unique substrate we’re using,” said founder Jim Dobrzynski Sr. “Every day, we’re faced with new challenging jobs that utilize different techniques. It’s our mandate to use individually adapted processes for whatever we’re producing: lenticular greeting cards, promotional giveaways, or food packaging. Our success is based on being a solution-oriented customer-centric business.”

The press was installed this summer at the company’s 65,000-square-foot facility.

“Eighteen months ago, we installed our first Koenig & Bauer Rapida press,” Dobrzynski said. “It’s become our workhorse running two shifts a day Monday through Thursday and one shift on Friday.
“…[W]e signed a new contract for a second Rapida 106 41-inch six-color press to run in tandem with our existing Koenig & Bauer,” he continued. “…[O]ur existing Rapida 106 is [20+]% more productive than the non-Koenig & Bauer press that we’re removing from our facility – and that press is less than five years old. Plus, our customers actually ask to have their jobs printed on the Rapida 106.”

Crossmark is incorporating the DriveTronic SIS sidelay-free infeed, and fully automated plate changing system on the Rapida 106 press.

Crossmark also invested in Koenig & Bauer’s QualiTronic ColorControl for inline color control with touchscreen. This system measures every sheet for constant print quality over the whole length of a run. Another highlight of the press is its VariDry Blue IR/hot-air dryer system.

Both Rapida 106 presses offer 35 ink keys that support a variety of inks – including conventional, LED and UV inks, and include inline gloss, matte, spot varnish and UV varnish finishing options.
“There are a number of benefits to using LED UV drying,” Dobrzynski said. “There’s no heat or odor, and it allows for sustainable production practices by reducing energy consumption. It also gives us the ability for greater color fidelity and more gorgeous results all the while preventing against distortion. And it is better for the environment.”

Since the blend of jobs incorporates a range of broad substrates, Crossmark chose to have its new Rapida 106 equipped with the lightweight, plastic, and board packages. The company uses a very fine 150 lpi lens.

“Featuring our step-change printing and drying technology this capital investment will pay dividends for many years to come by providing Crossmark Graphics with an even more significant competitive edge in their marketplace,” said Steve Korn, director of national and key accounts for Koenig & Bauer. “The 41.73-inch wide and 29.13 inches around Rapida 106 press, known industry-wide as the ‘Makeready Champion’ will enable Crossmark Graphics to provide the highest quality offset printing and immediate drying with ease, and now with two like kind presses provide the headroom to capture even more new clients.”