Shrinking Presses, Rising Profits

Half-size Presses Save Money

"What that means is printers might consider adding an efficient and modern half- or even three-quarter-size press into their 40˝ press rooms," says Dowey. "These presses offer a lower capital investment and reduced labor costs."

In the current market, 40˝ printers are feeling more of a pinch than half-size shops, adds Sakurai's Grego. "Run lengths are coming down and half-size presses are going faster," he says. "Jobs that might have been considered to be traditional 40˝ work are now being produced on half-size presses more efficiently."