Stoughton Printing Highlights 40% Increase in Productivity with Speedmaster

Jack Stoughton, president, Stoughton Printing, stands next to the firm's Speedmaster CD 102 with X-Package.

KENNESAW, Ga. — October 21, 2016 — Last week, Heidelberg hosted an open house at Stoughton Printing in Southern California to showcase how the integration of Prinect workflow can maximize the cost-effective benefits of the Speedmaster CD 102 with X-Package. The event included dynamic technology seminars, a full facility tour and a live demonstration of the Speedmaster CD 102-6+L with X-Package.

X Marks the Spot
"Stoughton Printing is a unique, specialty printer who truly leverages offset technology within their manufacturing process," says Clarence Penge, VP, Sheetfed, Heidelberg USA. "During our tour, we witnessed the direct impact of Prinect workflow on reducing makeready times and improving overall efficiency as the CD 102-X moved quickly from job to job."

The open house is the latest in a series of events designed to provide integrated customer solutions through specialized 1:1 engagement. Those in attendance observed the production of vinyl album jackets from a 70lb. uncoated sheet with low curl coating to a 4-color 24pt. SBS short grain board with high gloss coating, then to a 80lb. C1S label job. Prinect Axis Control, the leading closed loop color measurement system, managed critical color reproduction on the second pull with a delta E below 1.0.

From Two to One
Stoughton Printing purchased its first new Heidelberg press (a KORD) in 1966. Since then, the California-based company has remained an exclusive Heidelberg shop with integrated solutions at every point of production. Installed in 2014, the CD 102-X replaced two older Heidelberg presses, and runs alongside a Speedmaster SM 74-6-LX, a Suprasetter A106 and a pair of POLAR high speed cutting systems. The company also uses a range of Saphira consumables for enhanced performance, and is equipped with Heidelberg’s full Prinect workflow.

"We were amazed that the CD 102-X could produce faster than our two older presses combined," notes Jack Stoughton Jr., president, Stoughton Printing. "In the first year alone, we saw a 40% increase in productivity, which speaks volumes to what this machine can do. Our makeready sheets are also down over 50% with the addition of Prinect Axis Control."

Lasting Impression
As the leading producer of vinyl record packaging, the company needed a machine that could produce the highest quality while handling its high customer demands and fast turnaround times. According to Stoughton, quality was a driving factor in its investment because its specialty vinyl album jackets are almost as important as the music inside, serving as both a precursor to the music and a valuable keepsake.

"We place a huge importance on allowing our product to speak for itself," Stoughton explains. "Our customers come to us because of the value of the product we produce, and Heidelberg has been a true partner in helping us achieve that level of success. Heidelberg has consistently provided our business with results-driven solutions from beginning to end with Prinect workflow, POLAR cutting systems and everything in between."

When it comes to jackets in the music industry, Stoughton Printing Company stands for "Old Style" jackets in a variety of sizes and configurations. Founded in 1964, the company has built a brand and style by creating a superior product, at a fair price and working to deliver it on time with outstanding customer service. In addition to music packaging, Stoughton Printing also provides offset lithographic printing of P.O.P. displays, litho labels for corrugated cartons, folding cartons, gameboards, catalogs, manuals, flyers, brochures, presentation folders, and more.

Source: Heidelberg.