Global volumes in commercial printing are continuing to develop steadily. While the average print run is becoming ever shorter, the number of print jobs is increasing. If print shops are to ensure this order structure is profitable for them, they need more flexibility and automation in their production operations, as well as digitalised processes. Many commercial print shops are therefore increasingly turning to industrial digital printing solutions while also continuing to use highly efficient sheetfed offset printing presses for longer runs. According to forecasts, the global volume of commercial jobs being printed with inkjet technology will grow by over 4% annually up to 2030.
HEIDELBERG is driving this development with its digital innovations and is expanding its portfolio for industrial digital printing with the new Jetfire 75, which is now available. The inkjet press in B2+ format (614 mm x 750 mm) is fully embedded in the HEIDELBERG digital ecosystem, which encompasses machines, software, consumables, service and training. Postpress solutions are also to be incorporated.
“Following on from the successful market launch of the Jetfire 50, we are sending out a clear signal with the Jetfire 75, namely that HEIDELBERG is shaping the future of digital industrial print production and taking it to a whole new level,” says Dr. David Schmedding, Chief Technology & Sales Officer at HEIDELBERG. “We are combining the strengths of our sheetfed offset printing presses with innovative digital printing solutions to create a hybrid production environment that offers our customers maximum flexibility and efficiency.”
The market launch of the Jetfire 75 follows the successful global rollout of the Jetfire 50 for B3 format. HEIDELBERG first demonstrated the Jetfire 50 when it was unveiled at drupa 2024, which is also when the Jetfire 75 was announced.
Hybrid print production
The Jetfire 75 can be integrated into a print shop’s overall workflow using Prinect Production and the new Prinect Touch Free workflow, thereby ensuring hybrid print production can be implemented on a cost-optimised and efficient basis. When using Prinect Touch Free, the fully automated workflow utilises AI and leverages real-time data to determine whether digital or offset printing is the most cost-effective means of production.
Well-established colour management technology from HEIDELBERG ensures that the production and/or reproduction of jobs is true-to-colour regardless of which printing method is selected. When combined with Prinect Touch Free, the Jetfire 75 is able to process over 1,000 print jobs per day on a fully automated basis. HEIDELBERG has already kicked off the market launch of Prinect Touch Free. Customers ordering a Jetfire 50 or Jetfire 75 will exclusively get the new workflow when they install their digital press.
Users also benefit from excellent machine availability thanks to the ‘self-service’ concept. This involves giving operators special training so they can carry out certain types of service work themselves. When it comes to actually operating the press, a few days of training are all that is required. What’s more, print shops also have access to the wide-ranging service network at HEIDELBERG for their Jetfire systems.
“By launching the Jetfire 75, HEIDELBERG is underscoring its approach as a comprehensive systems integrator in the printing sector – an approach that helps our customers become more profitable and more competitive,” says Jürgen Otto, CEO of HEIDELBERG. “This is another milestone in the growth strategy for our core business, and one that will enable HEIDELBERG to leverage additional business potential.”
Industrial production from small to long runs
The Jetfire 75 combines industrial productivity, the best possible print quality and maximum flexibility for everything from short runs and personalised products to high-volume print jobs. The range of products that can be handled includes brochures, advertisements, flyers, catalogues in short runs, books, magazines, labels, stickers, posters, and calendars. Added to that are special digital print jobs such as personailsed mailshots, jobs with a run size of one, photo books, time-critical print-on-demand jobs, and more besides.
The technical highlights of the HEIDELBERG Jetfire 75 at a glance:
- Water-based inkjet technology with 1200 dpi in B2+ format
- Production output: Up to 9,800 4Up sheets per hour (simplex), equivalent to approx. 39,000 A4 pages per hour; up to 7,200 6Up sheets per hour (simplex), equivalent to almost 43,000 A4 sheets per hour
- Annual production output: Up to 58 million 4Up sheets (simplex)
- Substrate range: 60–450 gsm, including selected cardboards
- Fully automated quality control and self-service concept
- Integration into Prinect Production & Prinect Touch Free for end-to-end automation
CLICK HERE for further information on Jetfire 75