Koenig & Bauer Displays Deep Commitment and Leadership to Large Format Press Segment

Benefits and ROI abound—more output, higher production, less makeready per box

  • Substantial growth in large-format sheetfed offset press orders 
  • Broad diversity of configurations yields customized solutions
  • Strong commitment to automatization, service, research and development 
  • Only manufacturer to offer neutral consulting with an extensive press portfolio from half-size to large format

With more than 200 years of experience and a stellar reputation as the leading innovator among its customers, Koenig & Bauer has maintained its foremost position as a stable innovative partner and continues to be the leader in large format press production. Its successful customers rely on Koenig & Bauer to effectively and profitably produce a wide range of applications from folding cartons and top sheets for the most well-known brands in the world. 

“We have earned our distinguished reputation as the market leader of manufacturing large-format press models,” says Eric Frank, Koenig & Bauer senior vice president of marketing and product management. “Our large format press models display proven performance and extraordinary print quality. After seeing at least 50% or higher efficiency, productivity, and output on their large format press models, our customers agree with our assertion through their own KPI’s and analytics.”


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Large format’s many benefits

Due to the on-going advancements in new technology on its large format models, Koenig & Bauer has repeatedly sold more large-format models than any other press manufacturer. In part, this is due to its stable of models: the large-format press line runs the gamut from the Rapida 145 57-inch with its production speeds of up to 18,000 to the 64-inch Rapida 164 printing at 17,000 sph.

Large format customers point to the competitive advantages they receive including 50% or more square inch capacity, reduced make-ready time per box, and the highest production speeds, with the most industrialized customers producing in excess of 90 million sheets per year on a large format press. Everything about a Koenig & Bauer large format press--its high nonstop productivity, less paper waste, shorter makeready times, and simultaneous processes that allows for ultra-fast job changeovers, this in combination with the exceptional print quality, and the highest level of engineering and craftsmanship-- is designed to allow the press to produce the work of two smaller format presses with the investment into one press.

Due to the broad diversity of configuration options, accessories and automation solutions, the large-format Rapida’s are an efficient means of production for both established and niche markets. They can be equipped with a reel-to-sheet feeder, a double-pile delivery, diverse drying units such as UV and LED, additional printing units after coating and perfecting facilities, as required for the individual application. For packaging printing, they can also be placed on raised foundations and integrated into a fully automatic pile logistics system. Presses with up to 16 printing and finishing units are already in daily use.