Useful Tips for the Used Press Buyer

Age Matters: Use Parts Smarts

Anderson: Make sure that the press is of the same era as what’s available now. One press may cost $5,000 more than another, but if it is four years newer, it could be worth the price in terms of parts availability.

Prince: Sheetfed presses up to a 40? size generally see about 15 years of use, and then parts—electronic parts in particular—become unavailable. High-quality printers will take a press out of service after 10 to 12 years, and a very high-quality printer might retire a press after about eight years. In terms of use, buying a press with 450 millions impressions is not too good—that press is worn out. Try to find a press that is five years old or younger with fewer than 70 million impressions.