In this short-run era, where a third of all jobs have run lengths of just 250 sheets, how are sheetfed offset presses faring? Industry observer Frank Romano offers his view.

By Frank Romano

Four different press manufacturer models were used. Almost all were 40˝ and ranged in age from new to 10 years old—all with different levels of automation. Makeready averaged 60 minutes, which was twice as good as in 1998. The best of the best took 35 minutes, while the worst (two) were at 90 minutes (and still in business?).