Me & My: Heidelberg 102 eight-colour perfector

Please describe your company.
Founded in 1978 by my grandfather, the late CL Goyal, Goyal Offset Works started as a modest commercial print set-up in Daya Basti, Delhi. Over the years, we’ve evolved into one of North India’s most advanced academic print facilities, spread across 3,00,000-sq/ft in Kundli, Sonepat. We specialise in textbook and educational printing, including exam-prep books, children’s titles, and general trade publications. Our infrastructure includes Heidelberg presses, automated finishing systems, and an integrated pre-press workflow.

When did you start using the press?
We installed and commissioned the Heidelberg Speedmaster SX 102 eight-colour perfector in mid-2025, following our visit to Drupa 2024 and the Heidelberg Print Media Centre in Shanghai. The machine has been fully operational and is seamlessly integrated into our production workflow.

What are the properties of the machine that you like?
The SX 102 is built for speed, precision, and reliability. Its double-sided perfecting and 14,000 sheets per hour output make it a powerhouse for long-run jobs. We appreciate its automation, quick makeready, and colour consistency — all of which reduce setup time and waste. The machine’s format compatibility with our CX 92 is also a big plus for flexibility and job transfer.

Why did you decide to use the press?
We’ve had a long-standing relationship with Heidelberg India, and our earlier investments have always delivered strong ROI. The decision to invest in the SX 102 came from a clear need to double our output for textbook printing while maintaining high print quality. It has increased our operational efficiency and print capacity during academic peak seasons.

What are the features that tilted the favour in this?
The combination of perfecting capability, smart automation, and ease of integration with our existing Heidelberg ecosystem made the SX 102 an obvious choice. The Preset Plus feeder and delivery, intelligent ink control, and Colour Assistant Pro give it a unique edge in consistent, high-speed performance.

How much have these features helped production?
The press has reduced make-ready and changeover times. In textbook production, where we handle frequent format changes and large volumes, this efficiency is crucial. Whether it’s lightweight paper for educational titles or coated stock for premium covers, the SX 102 handles transitions smoothly with minimal manual intervention.

For what applications is the press used?
We use it for double-sided textbook printing, which forms our core business. Additionally, it’s ideal for exam books, reference guides, and large-run educational titles, where speed, alignment, and registration accuracy are critical.

What’s the quality like?
The print quality is impeccable — particularly the colour consistency across both sides of the sheet. Earlier, we needed additional checks for registration in double-sided printing. With the SX 102, alignment is perfect every time, resulting in sharper text, smoother gradients, and superior colour balance even in long runs.

How easy is it to use and handle?
For a company with consistent volume and skilled manpower, the SX 102 is easy to operate once trained. Its intuitive control system, smart touchscreen interface, and job automation features simplify operation. However, a pre-press workflow and trained operators are essential to fully utilise its capabilities.

Would you say that it offers value for money?
Absolutely. The machine’s productivity and uptime easily justify the investment. By doubling our output and cutting makeready time, we have improved our ROI significantly.

Who do you think the machine is right for?
It’s perfect for high-volume commercial and educational printers, especially those handling double-sided work with tight deadlines.

Would you recommend it to others?
Printers are looking to scale production capacity, reduce changeover time, and ensure print quality. If you’re running long jobs, double-sided work, or tight delivery schedules, it will transform your production efficiency.