The region’s first 8-color offset press, the A1-plus format RMGT 970 from the Japanese manufacturer Ryobi MHI Graphic Technology, has arrived in Adria region. This significant investment and technological leap was made by the company Og Grafika.
The specific A1+ (or 8-up) format positions it between smaller A1 presses and large B1 (70 x 100 cm) offset solutions. The press was brought to our regional market by Pokugraf d.o.o., the company responsible for this successful first installation. Mr. Ivan Repec, Director of Pokugraf, shared more details with us.
What were the key criteria that led you to recommend this specific model to OG Grafika?
The key criteria for choosing the RMGT 970 were its optimal format for a wide variety of the most common jobs, a high level of automation for faster makeready, better quality control with fewer errors, as well as low energy consumption and reduced operating costs. Another factor was the relatively quick return on investment, thanks to increased productivity and reliability.
In the context of A1-plus versus B1 technology, where does the biggest difference in production efficiency occur in practice? Why don’t more print shops take advantage of this format?
The greatest advantage of the A1-plus format compared to classic B1 presses lies in better imposition and reduced paper waste. The larger format allows for more efficient layout of products on the sheet, which minimizes waste. Additionally, the RMGT 970 features faster press makeready thanks to modern automated systems, which boosts overall productivity.
The main reason why print shops in our region still do not fully utilize the advantages of this format is a traditional orientation towards the B1 standard. Most finishing equipment and logistics are tailored to the B1 format, and there is also a degree of caution regarding the necessary adjustments and investments. Furthermore, some print shops are simply not aware of the concrete savings that the A1-plus format can deliver.
The RMGT 970 Solves All Our Production Challenges
The fact that we already owned a 4-color B3 Ryobi offset press largely influenced our decision to purchase the new RMGT 970. Over eight years of production on the B3 Ryobi, we witnessed the absolute reliability of this technology,” said Mr. Filip Brkic, co-owner of the Og Grafika print shop.He points out that a lack of capacity was the primary driver behind this investment.
“After reaching points where we were running 24/7 on our old 8-color offset press, expanding our offset capacity was the logical next step. The second reason is tied to a significant increase in production, making it highly risky to rely on a single press. With the configuration we chose, our goal is to make a major leap forward in terms of productivity, shorter turnaround times, increased capacity, and quality,” says Mr. Brkic.
The press is in the A1-plus format, while most of the market relies on B1. On which jobs do you expect the greatest savings, and do you have a backup solution for B formats?
An analysis of our existing products showed that we produce 80% of our jobs from the A1 format, leading us to the conclusion that a B1 offset press is not essential for our needs. The new RMGT 970 series proved to be the best option for us. A significantly lower purchase price for the new press, combined with savings on plate costs, energy, and floor space, are major advantages, while the automation is nearly identical to that of B1 presses. Naturally, we will also retain a B1 offset press, which will cover jobs incompatible with the A1 format and serve as a backup.
