It will come as no surprise to learn that the B3 market is shrinking. Digital has taken huge chunks of its business thanks to its ability to add personalisation, accomodate short runs and offer faster turnarounds. Throw overcapacity, fierce competition and wafer-thin margins into the mix and you might be forgiven for thinking that the future looks bleak for B3. However, B3 press manufacturers remain bullish and have started to hit back, building machines with more flexibility and automation.
"Much has been written in the past decade about the impending demise of litho in B3 format," explains Vic Fletcher of Re:Solutions, a marketing consultancy in the graphic arts sector. "It's true that the advent of commercial quality and more productive digital print engines have had a telling impact. Yet litho still persists and, in certain areas, even thrives."
This is due to the added-value inline capabilities offered by press manufacturers, which are helping print firms to diversify offering options such as die-cutting and UV spot coating units and sealers. Five-colour units with a sealer are proving increasingly popular at the moment.
"It's a more economical way as opposed to having a dedicated coater and offers flexibility", says Neil Handforth, sales and marketing director at Apex.
Despite many people being wooed by the benefits of digital, it's not always the answer, according to Fletcher.
"Many larger-format litho houses equate print-on-demand with digital and have introduced digital departments without fully examining the potential of B3 litho," he explains.
"The vast majority of digital output has no variable content and, with continually improving technology reducing waste and downtimes, the B3 litho press still has a lot to offer."
With improving technology developments, printers' expectations are higher, with many UK firms switching to full-colour production. "Such has been the shift that some litho press manufacturers have abandoned the two-colour configuration altogether," says Fletcher.
Wider options
Compared to last year's Buyer's Guide tables there are more presses starting from four-colour configurations as opposed to two or one. Only last week Ryobi demonstrated its entry-level five-colour press the 525GE at an open house event hosted by distributor Apex.
"It's a little more affordable while retaining some of the features of the GX," says Handforth. "Also it allows printers to install a five-colour in a floor space that is 40% smaller than the average B3 press."
When making an investment, "look for equipment that offers the best package and value for money - fast makereadies, high quality print capabilities in terms of good solids, and sharp half tones," advises Handforth.
WHAT'S NEW IN SCREENFED PRESSES UP TO B3
? In October, book printer Falcon Press purchased a new B3 Shinohara 52 VP press from UK supplier Graphic Arts Equipment. The machine joins an existing six-colour B2 Shinohara 74. The company made the investment because it had switched to double-day shifts, but was still struggling to keep up with orders
? In August, Ryobi launched an entry-level five-colour B3 press, the latest addition to the new GE series announced at Drupa last year. The Ryobi 525GE is smaller and less expensive than Ryobi’s five-colour GX series
? Circle Services bridged the gap between its litho and digital printing set-up after investing in a Presstek 52DI B3 landscape press in August
? In February, Chinese press manufacturer Hans-Gronhi signalled its intent to grow its global presence after acquiring Sanxin. Gronhi, represented in the UK by Printers Superstore, claims the deal makes it the biggest producer of offset presses in the Chinese market with a reported 70% market share of new B3 press sales in China
