05/13/2025
From left to right: Peter Ens, Plural Advisor, Silvia Montes Head of sales office Brazil at HEIDELBERG, Dr. David Schmedding, Chief Technology & Sales Officer at HEIDELBERG, Carlos Jacomine, Plural CEO, Sidnei Nastasi, Sales Consultant at HEIDELBERG Brazil, Rogério Cordeiro, Plural CFO, Welinton Martins, Plural COO and Philipp Fries, Sheetfed Product Manager at HEIDELBERG Brazil standing in front of the 100th CutStar generation 4 to be delivered.
Plural Industria Grafica LTDA (Plural) in Brazil is one of the biggest offset printing companies in South America. It specializes in producing books, magazines, and catalogs, and it also operates in the commercial and security printing sectors. Until recently, the company worked exclusively with web offset technology. Production takes place at a 33,500-square-meter site in the Santana de Parnaíba industrial park in the Brazilian state of São Paulo. Plural is the result of a joint venture between Brazilian media specialists Folha-Group and the USA printing corporation Quad/Graphics. Carlos Jacomine, a professional with over 30 years of experience in the printing market, currently owns the company, having acquired 100% of it in 2022. Jacomine has been responsible for leading the company throughout its entire history and is widely recognized as the key figure behind its remarkable success.
Première with Speedmaster XL 106 and CutStar generation 4
Plural aims to harness cutting-edge technology and state-of-the-art equipment to offer exceptional products on the market. Now, for the first time in its history, the company has invested in sheetfed offset technology, putting a Speedmaster XL 106-8-P+L from Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (HEIDELBERG) into operation in February 2025. This model is an eight-color perfecting press with coating unit. Besides the feeder, a CutStar generation 4 supplies the press with paper from the reel. This configuration is a particularly attractive option for web offset print shops, because they can use a sheetfed offset printing press while taking advantage of the lower prices of reel stock.
“Traditional web offset print shops are increasingly looking for solutions that will enable them to embrace the global trend toward shorter print runs cost-effectively. Plural’s decision to invest in sheetfed offset and CutStar technology from HEIDELBERG underlines just how attractive the HEIDELBERG solutions are for this customer segment, too,” says David Schmedding, Chief Technology & Sales Officer at HEIDELBERG. “In particular, our CutStar technology makes the production of relatively short runs cost-effective and efficient,” he continues. The CutStar that is in operation at Plural is the 100th fourth-generation reel sheeter to leave the production line at HEIDELBERG since its market launch in 2020 and the 500th CutStar produced overall since the start of series production in 2000.
The CutStar generation 4 is integrated into the Prinect workflow and the Prinect Press Center XL 4 control station and set automatically via the Intellistart 3 assistance software and preset values, which reduces makeready times by up to 50 percent.
HEIDELBERG delivers solutions for distinct customer needs
The new Speedmaster XL 106, complete with a perfecting unit and boasting a printing speed of 18,000 sheets per hour, is helping Plural pursue its target of substantially expanding its range of products and services in a challenging market. The company also aims to break into segments that have previously been closed off to it due to its use of web offset presses, which are geared toward large runs. “By investing in the Speedmaster XL 106, we are meeting a distinct customer need. Specialist publishing houses and public institutions need workbooks, textbooks, and other teaching materials that are printed in shorter runs than are customary in web offset printing. In our view, the only solution for producing these books and materials cost-effectively is sheetfed offset printing technology,” says Carlos Jacomine, the company’s CEO. “Our customers are looking for top quality, competitive terms and conditions, and rock-solid delivery reliability – and the fast job changes on the Speedmaster XL 106, combined with the high availability of this high-performance press, enable us to meet their expectations,” he continues.
Thanks to the Speedmaster XL 106, Plural is able to offer the market printed materials with a much wider range of substrates. Besides card book covers, Jacomine particularly mentions the surface finishing options that are possible with the Speedmaster XL 106. From his perspective, another major advantage is the fact that, in conjunction with the CutStar, it is also possible to process relatively inexpensive reel stock in different paper weights, including very thin papers, on the sheetfed offset printing press from HEIDELBERG.
AI assistants driving autonomous offset printing process forward
The Speedmaster XL 106, such as the one in operation at Plural, is a model of the new Peak Performance generation that HEIDELBERG launched at drupa 2024. This press is designed for autonomous printing in Push to Stop operation and is controlled via the Prinect Press Center XL 4. The AI assistants, which have been further developed by HEIDELBERG, are one of the stand-out features of the new control station.
For example, to ensure swift job changes, Intellistart 3 uses digital data to coordinate the makeready sequences precisely, based on rules, without any intervention by the operator. The operator can monitor the progress of the individual makeready sequences on the Wallscreen XL.
The AI-supported assistants are based on algorithms that analyze large volumes of data and configure complex production parameters automatically. During production, all processes are monitored and controlled automatically, largely without any human intervention.
“When developing the CutStar generation 4, the focus was on growing customer requirements, particularly for processing thin substrates. Our customers now benefit from production speeds that are up to 30 percent faster, more stable sheet travel, greater automation, and lower maintenance requirements”, says Schmedding.
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (HEIDELBERG) is a leading technology company that has been standing for innovation, quality, and reliability in mechanical engineering worldwide for 175 years. With a clear focus on growth and as a total solution provider, HEIDELBERG is driving further development in the core areas of packaging and digital printing, software solutions, and lifecycle business with service and consumables so that customers can achieve maximum productivity and efficiency.
The company is also focusing on expanding into new business areas such as high-precision plant engineering with integrated control systems, automation technology, robotics, and the growing green technologies sector. With its strong international presence in approximately 170 countries, the creative power and expertise of its roughly 9,500 employees, its own production facilities in Europe, China, and the USA, and one of the largest global sales and service networks, the company is ideally positioned for future growth.
Figure 1: From left to right: Peter Ens, Plural Advisor, Silvia Montes Head of sales office Brazil at HEIDELBERG, Dr. David Schmedding, Chief Technology & Sales Officer at HEIDELBERG, Carlos Jacomine, Plural CEO, Sidnei Nastasi, Sales Consultant at HEIDELBERG Brazil, Rogério Cordeiro, Plural CFO, Welinton Martins, Plural COO and Philipp Fries, Sheetfed Product Manager at HEIDELBERG Brazil standing in front of the 100th CutStar generation 4 to be delivered.
Figure 2: The CutStar technology from HEIDELBERG makes it possible to process comparatively inexpensive reel stock. This therefore offers even traditional web offset printing companies a cost-effective solution for their production of shorter run lengths.
Image material, and further information about the company are available in the Investor Relations and Press Lounge of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG at www.heidelberg.com.
Matthias Hartung
Press Officer – Print Systems and Technology
Tel.: +49 (0)6222 82 67174
Email: matthias.hartung@heidelberg.com
05/13/2025
Plural Industria Grafica LTDA (Plural) in Brazil is one of the biggest offset printing companies in South America. It specializes in producing books, magazines, and catalogs, and it also operates in the commercial and security printing sectors. Until recently, the company worked exclusively with web offset technology. Production takes place at a 33,500-square-meter site in the Santana de Parnaíba industrial park in the Brazilian state of São Paulo. Plural is the result of a joint venture between Brazilian media specialists Folha-Group and the USA printing corporation Quad/Graphics. Carlos Jacomine, a professional with over 30 years of experience in the printing market, currently owns the company, having acquired 100% of it in 2022. Jacomine has been responsible for leading the company throughout its entire history and is widely recognized as the key figure behind its remarkable success.
Première with Speedmaster XL 106 and CutStar generation 4
Plural aims to harness cutting-edge technology and state-of-the-art equipment to offer exceptional products on the market. Now, for the first time in its history, the company has invested in sheetfed offset technology, putting a Speedmaster XL 106-8-P+L from Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (HEIDELBERG) into operation in February 2025. This model is an eight-color perfecting press with coating unit. Besides the feeder, a CutStar generation 4 supplies the press with paper from the reel. This configuration is a particularly attractive option for web offset print shops, because they can use a sheetfed offset printing press while taking advantage of the lower prices of reel stock.
“Traditional web offset print shops are increasingly looking for solutions that will enable them to embrace the global trend toward shorter print runs cost-effectively. Plural’s decision to invest in sheetfed offset and CutStar technology from HEIDELBERG underlines just how attractive the HEIDELBERG solutions are for this customer segment, too,” says David Schmedding, Chief Technology & Sales Officer at HEIDELBERG. “In particular, our CutStar technology makes the production of relatively short runs cost-effective and efficient,” he continues. The CutStar that is in operation at Plural is the 100th fourth-generation reel sheeter to leave the production line at HEIDELBERG since its market launch in 2020 and the 500th CutStar produced overall since the start of series production in 2000.
The CutStar generation 4 is integrated into the Prinect workflow and the Prinect Press Center XL 4 control station and set automatically via the Intellistart 3 assistance software and preset values, which reduces makeready times by up to 50 percent.
HEIDELBERG delivers solutions for distinct customer needs
The new Speedmaster XL 106, complete with a perfecting unit and boasting a printing speed of 18,000 sheets per hour, is helping Plural pursue its target of substantially expanding its range of products and services in a challenging market. The company also aims to break into segments that have previously been closed off to it due to its use of web offset presses, which are geared toward large runs. “By investing in the Speedmaster XL 106, we are meeting a distinct customer need. Specialist publishing houses and public institutions need workbooks, textbooks, and other teaching materials that are printed in shorter runs than are customary in web offset printing. In our view, the only solution for producing these books and materials cost-effectively is sheetfed offset printing technology,” says Carlos Jacomine, the company’s CEO. “Our customers are looking for top quality, competitive terms and conditions, and rock-solid delivery reliability – and the fast job changes on the Speedmaster XL 106, combined with the high availability of this high-performance press, enable us to meet their expectations,” he continues.
Thanks to the Speedmaster XL 106, Plural is able to offer the market printed materials with a much wider range of substrates. Besides card book covers, Jacomine particularly mentions the surface finishing options that are possible with the Speedmaster XL 106. From his perspective, another major advantage is the fact that, in conjunction with the CutStar, it is also possible to process relatively inexpensive reel stock in different paper weights, including very thin papers, on the sheetfed offset printing press from HEIDELBERG.
AI assistants driving autonomous offset printing process forward
The Speedmaster XL 106, such as the one in operation at Plural, is a model of the new Peak Performance generation that HEIDELBERG launched at drupa 2024. This press is designed for autonomous printing in Push to Stop operation and is controlled via the Prinect Press Center XL 4. The AI assistants, which have been further developed by HEIDELBERG, are one of the stand-out features of the new control station.
For example, to ensure swift job changes, Intellistart 3 uses digital data to coordinate the makeready sequences precisely, based on rules, without any intervention by the operator. The operator can monitor the progress of the individual makeready sequences on the Wallscreen XL.
The AI-supported assistants are based on algorithms that analyze large volumes of data and configure complex production parameters automatically. During production, all processes are monitored and controlled automatically, largely without any human intervention.
“When developing the CutStar generation 4, the focus was on growing customer requirements, particularly for processing thin substrates. Our customers now benefit from production speeds that are up to 30 percent faster, more stable sheet travel, greater automation, and lower maintenance requirements”, says Schmedding.
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (HEIDELBERG) is a leading technology company that has been standing for innovation, quality, and reliability in mechanical engineering worldwide for 175 years. With a clear focus on growth and as a total solution provider, HEIDELBERG is driving further development in the core areas of packaging and digital printing, software solutions, and lifecycle business with service and consumables so that customers can achieve maximum productivity and efficiency.
The company is also focusing on expanding into new business areas such as high-precision plant engineering with integrated control systems, automation technology, robotics, and the growing green technologies sector. With its strong international presence in approximately 170 countries, the creative power and expertise of its roughly 9,500 employees, its own production facilities in Europe, China, and the USA, and one of the largest global sales and service networks, the company is ideally positioned for future growth.
Figure 1: From left to right: Peter Ens, Plural Advisor, Silvia Montes Head of sales office Brazil at HEIDELBERG, Dr. David Schmedding, Chief Technology & Sales Officer at HEIDELBERG, Carlos Jacomine, Plural CEO, Sidnei Nastasi, Sales Consultant at HEIDELBERG Brazil, Rogério Cordeiro, Plural CFO, Welinton Martins, Plural COO and Philipp Fries, Sheetfed Product Manager at HEIDELBERG Brazil standing in front of the 100th CutStar generation 4 to be delivered.
Figure 2: The CutStar technology from HEIDELBERG makes it possible to process comparatively inexpensive reel stock. This therefore offers even traditional web offset printing companies a cost-effective solution for their production of shorter run lengths.
Image material, and further information about the company are available in the Investor Relations and Press Lounge of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG at www.heidelberg.com.
Press Officer – Print Systems and Technology
Tel.: +49 (0)6222 82 67174
