B&B Print Source ‘Gets More’ from its KBA Rapida 105 Press

WILLISTON, VT—11/27/07—KBA North America reports that B&B Print Source, a leading Portland, Oregon, commercial and publication printer, is experiencing higher quality, reduced makeready times and faster running speeds with their new KBA Rapida 105 41-inch six-color sheetfed press with coater.

“Our need for a new press was twofold,” says Mike Stevenson, president of B&B Print Source. “First, we were experiencing tremendous company growth, and second, we could see incredible opportunities in long runs that our existing customers currently ran on a web. After reviewing equipment from four major press manufacturers, we chose the KBA Rapida 105 41-inch six-color sheetfed press. With the higher speeds and greater net output of the 18,000-sheets-an-hour Rapida, coupled with the lower operating costs, which include quicker setup and makeready times, we were able to aggressively compete for the web business. Since we have always been known as a high-quality printer, the greater speeds of the Rapida still had to produce the high-quality print our customers are used to. I can tell you that the level of quality has actually increased with the Rapida press.”

Before Stevenson chose the KBA Rapida 105, he put the press through two difficult test forms to ensure that it would print to his high quality standards. One form contained a maximum printed image area with a 300 line screen gray balance image to test for streaking. The other difficult test form included a PMS Grey 293 full out solid with reverse out text.

KBA’s Rapida press passes the test

“The test form that we supplied to KBA was delivered in person by me the morning we arrived for our demo,” says Stevenson. “We wanted this test to be completely realistic. Sending a form two weeks ahead to prepare the press would not be realistic. I think this is the reason the other press manufacturers had such a difficult time with our form. The Rapida press produced both forms at full press speed with no issues whatsoever. KBA managed our difficult test form best, with smooth graduated screens, extremely accurate fit from corner to corner, and color consistency throughout speed changes. KBA was the only manufacturer able to do this. It was very impressive. The KBA team came through with flying colors.”