The Northampton-based commercial printer was an early convert to the XL 105-10-P, and its second machine will come with Inpress Control colour-measuring technology.

Brothers and co-directors Steve and John Pizzey ordered the second Heidelberg at Drupa. It rolls out about 4.5m sheets a month, equal to its two existing 10-colour long perfectors.

The existing press has handled runs of 1,000 to more than 100,000, and almost all of its work runs at the kit's 15,000sph top speed. Makeready times have been halved and paper waste reduced.

"With this press, Heidelberg is ahead of the game," Steve Pizzey said. "We don't see any demarcation between process, and Heidelberg has a great focus on efficiencies."

Sterling expects it will need only 200 makeready sheets per job with Inpress Control, which automates colour and register. Intellistart press software will reduce set up time.

"After extensive trials with Inpress Control, Sterling Press is convinced makeready times and paper waste can be reduced still further," the brothers said.

Gernot Keller, B1 product manager of Heidelberg UK, tested four different jobs, each with a 1,000 run. All were completed within 1.25 hours and saved on pull sheets.

Sterling Press bills itself as "front runners in JDF workflow connectivity", with Tharstern MIS, prepress, Heidelberg and MAN Roland presses all linked. It aims to adopt Prinect Postpress Manager in the coming months.