Category: General discussion
Later topic: 220# Black Paper?
Earlier topic: Pre-Cut Coasters

Which Letterpress model to use.

We want to use letterpress to print and die cut onto 50 - 60pt coaster stock in quantities form 100 - 5000. The windmill is limited to a to a 40 pt. What model letter press would choose and why.

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Windmill. It’s a production press. High Skill required. But simple to learn. Windmill can print thicker than 40pt. I have printed 80pt. and 220 pt. just have to adjust.

We have a redball windmill now. Based on the packing math and the platen gap we could not figure out what to do to safely run a heavier stock. I ran a GTO for 15 years so the feeder was the easy part. I was afraid if I ran a heavier stock I might crash a gripper. We are using it for numbering, perfing, scoreing and die cutting but we don’t want to do something that might effect those operations. What do we need to do to adjust it to run the heavier stocks.

if you can get your hands on a Thomson Laureate (Colts Armory) should do the work

Heidelberg’s are excellent presses along with the Thomson Laureate.
I recommend an automatic kluge.
1. Plenty of adjustment for running thick stock… printing or diecutting.
2. Not limited to only right side gripper.
3. You can do the same operations that you are currently doing on your Heidelberg (number, print, perf, crease and diecut or kisscut), & foil stamp, emboss or deboss if you have a heat plate and the other necessary paraphernalia needed.
4. Approximately the same learning curve as your Heidelberg.
5. Depending on the year of manufacture, Kluge will sell you parts for your press. http://www.kluge.biz/ and you can watch “how to” videos.

Now the cons:
1. Doesn’t have adjustable rails like the Heidelberg.
2. Not as fast to set up or run as your Heidelberg.
3. Replacement parts are not inexpensive (just like Heidelberg)
4. Rollers are harder to put in, and there is no lock out as some Heidelberg’s have.

I’m sure other members will chime in as to their preference.
Each press has limitations and advantages.

GWAK
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Thank you all for your input, keep it coming. It is hard to get good feedback since most off what we do today did not exist when these presses were born. Girl with a kluge, do you have any feedback on the older Kluge’s. How far is it safe to go and find a machine that can still produce. Are there any Kluge’s we should avoid?