07/16/2026
Cost pressures combined with increasing process complexity and brand compliance are shaping the situation in print shops, with spot colors often becoming a growing bottleneck in the production process, particularly in packaging facilities. Limited availability, a lack of standardization, and the fact that production is often done manually lead to delays, limited flexibility, and a high degree of dependence on individual employees. Overall, this results in a production flow characterized by increased effort, longer turnaround times, and supply chain risks in order fulfillment. With the new ChromaStar Series, Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (HEIDELBERG) will therefore offer a comprehensive portfolio for the intelligent production and delivery of spot colors directly in the print shop. The modular concept enables a tailor-made configuration for different production volumes, from manual batch preparation with the ChromaStar entry-level system to high-performance, highly automated solutions for industrial applications. The ChromaStar series includes the X, S, M, and P models. The concept supports the safe and efficient processing of conventional, UV, and low-migration Saphira inks for applications in the food and non-food sectors and ensures an efficient and resource-saving ink supply through precise dosing technology, short mixing times, and high process reliability. Print shops benefit from higher productivity, reproducible color results, and automation that is optimally tailored to their requirements.
New ChromaStar S at the “Home of Print” Ready for Customer Demonstrations
The ChromaStar S, compact intelligent despensing solution, is already available for customer demonstrations at the “Home of Print” in Wiesloch-Walldorf and was unveiled for the first time at the Packaging Day in June. It is designed for an annual spot color volume of one to ten metric tons.
“With the new ChromaStar series, we are offering our customers, particularly in packaging printing, a highly integrated solution that improves productivity, quality, and sustainability in equal measure,” says Dr. David Schmedding, CSO at HEIDELBERG. “At the same time, as a system integrator, we are further expanding our position in the market for consumables and tapping into additional growth potential in the packaging segment.”
Digital Workflow as the Key to Process Reliability
The ChromaStar integrates seamlessly into the workflow. The combination of Saphira Inks, Saphira Cloud, Saphira Check, and Saphira Control ensures end-to-end transparency, traceability, and consistent color results.
The solution links formulation, dosing, and color control into a seamless process. In addition, a separate proof output supports color-accurate communication throughout the process chain. As a result, color definition and production match exactly, which is a decisive factor for quality and repeatability.
Strategic Expansion of the Lifecycle Business
Today, print shops expect a complete portfolio of process and spot colors from a single source, which HEIDELBERG already offers. Saphira consumables from HEIDELBERG are an essential component of a high-performance and cost-effective printing process. As one of the largest suppliers of consumables in the printing industry, the company combines a comprehensive portfolio with a global sales and service network and local application expertise. These products, which are optimally tailored to HEIDELBERG presses and workflows, ensure consistent print quality, high process stability, and minimal downtime. As a result, customers benefit from higher productivity, lower total costs, and a sustained increase in competitiveness.
With the ChromaStar series, HEIDELBERG is systematically driving the expansion of its Lifecycle business. The solution is an integral part of the company’s strategy to further expand its offerings, particularly in high-growth segments such as packaging printing and in emerging markets in Asia and Latin America.
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (HEIDELBERG) is a leading technology company that has stood for innovation, quality, and reliability in mechanical engineering worldwide for more than 175 years. With a clear focus on growth, HEIDELBERG—as a full-service provider and systems integrator—is driving further development in its core areas of packaging and digital printing, software solutions, and the lifecycle business with service and consumables, enabling customers to achieve maximum productivity and efficiency. Building on decades of industry and systems expertise, the company is also strategically tapping into new markets in the fields of security, energy, charging infrastructure, and industrial system solutions—with clear scaling capabilities and attractive growth prospects. Thanks to a strong international presence in approximately 170 countries, the creativity and expertise of its roughly 9,500 employees, its own production facilities in Europe, China, and the U.S., and one of the largest global sales and service networks, the company is well positioned globally.
Image 1: The new ChromaStar S ink metering system is already available for customer demonstrations at the “Home of Print” at the Wiesloch-Walldorf site.
Image 2: With the ChromaStar series, HEIDELBERG is expanding its lifecycle portfolio to include automated ink metering systems, thereby enabling the efficient and cost-effective production of custom colors directly at the print shop.
Image 3: The ChromasSar series supports the safe and efficient processing of conventional, UV, and low-migration Saphira inks for applications in the food and non-food sectors.
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.
This press release contains forward-looking statements based on assumptions and estimates made by the management of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen Aktiengesellschaft. Although management believes these assumptions and estimates to be accurate, actual future developments and results may differ significantly from these assumptions and estimates due to a variety of factors. These factors may include, for example, changes in the overall economic situation, exchange rates, and interest rates, as well as changes within the graphic arts industry. Heidelberger Druckmaschinen Aktiengesellschaft makes no warranty and assumes no liability that future developments and actual results will correspond to the assumptions and estimates expressed in this press release.
Matthias Hartung
Press Officer – Corporate, Print Systems, and Technology
Tel.: +49 (0)6222 82 67174
Email: matthias.hartung@heidelberg.com
07/16/2026
Cost pressures combined with increasing process complexity and brand compliance are shaping the situation in print shops, with spot colors often becoming a growing bottleneck in the production process, particularly in packaging facilities. Limited availability, a lack of standardization, and the fact that production is often done manually lead to delays, limited flexibility, and a high degree of dependence on individual employees. Overall, this results in a production flow characterized by increased effort, longer turnaround times, and supply chain risks in order fulfillment. With the new ChromaStar Series, Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (HEIDELBERG) will therefore offer a comprehensive portfolio for the intelligent production and delivery of spot colors directly in the print shop. The modular concept enables a tailor-made configuration for different production volumes, from manual batch preparation with the ChromaStar entry-level system to high-performance, highly automated solutions for industrial applications. The ChromaStar series includes the X, S, M, and P models. The concept supports the safe and efficient processing of conventional, UV, and low-migration Saphira inks for applications in the food and non-food sectors and ensures an efficient and resource-saving ink supply through precise dosing technology, short mixing times, and high process reliability. Print shops benefit from higher productivity, reproducible color results, and automation that is optimally tailored to their requirements.
New ChromaStar S at the “Home of Print” Ready for Customer Demonstrations
The ChromaStar S, compact intelligent despensing solution, is already available for customer demonstrations at the “Home of Print” in Wiesloch-Walldorf and was unveiled for the first time at the Packaging Day in June. It is designed for an annual spot color volume of one to ten metric tons.
“With the new ChromaStar series, we are offering our customers, particularly in packaging printing, a highly integrated solution that improves productivity, quality, and sustainability in equal measure,” says Dr. David Schmedding, CSO at HEIDELBERG. “At the same time, as a system integrator, we are further expanding our position in the market for consumables and tapping into additional growth potential in the packaging segment.”
Digital Workflow as the Key to Process Reliability
The ChromaStar integrates seamlessly into the workflow. The combination of Saphira Inks, Saphira Cloud, Saphira Check, and Saphira Control ensures end-to-end transparency, traceability, and consistent color results.
The solution links formulation, dosing, and color control into a seamless process. In addition, a separate proof output supports color-accurate communication throughout the process chain. As a result, color definition and production match exactly, which is a decisive factor for quality and repeatability.
Strategic Expansion of the Lifecycle Business
Today, print shops expect a complete portfolio of process and spot colors from a single source, which HEIDELBERG already offers. Saphira consumables from HEIDELBERG are an essential component of a high-performance and cost-effective printing process. As one of the largest suppliers of consumables in the printing industry, the company combines a comprehensive portfolio with a global sales and service network and local application expertise. These products, which are optimally tailored to HEIDELBERG presses and workflows, ensure consistent print quality, high process stability, and minimal downtime. As a result, customers benefit from higher productivity, lower total costs, and a sustained increase in competitiveness.
With the ChromaStar series, HEIDELBERG is systematically driving the expansion of its Lifecycle business. The solution is an integral part of the company’s strategy to further expand its offerings, particularly in high-growth segments such as packaging printing and in emerging markets in Asia and Latin America.
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (HEIDELBERG) is a leading technology company that has stood for innovation, quality, and reliability in mechanical engineering worldwide for more than 175 years. With a clear focus on growth, HEIDELBERG—as a full-service provider and systems integrator—is driving further development in its core areas of packaging and digital printing, software solutions, and the lifecycle business with service and consumables, enabling customers to achieve maximum productivity and efficiency. Building on decades of industry and systems expertise, the company is also strategically tapping into new markets in the fields of security, energy, charging infrastructure, and industrial system solutions—with clear scaling capabilities and attractive growth prospects. Thanks to a strong international presence in approximately 170 countries, the creativity and expertise of its roughly 9,500 employees, its own production facilities in Europe, China, and the U.S., and one of the largest global sales and service networks, the company is well positioned globally.
Image 1: The new ChromaStar S ink metering system is already available for customer demonstrations at the “Home of Print” at the Wiesloch-Walldorf site.
Image 2: With the ChromaStar series, HEIDELBERG is expanding its lifecycle portfolio to include automated ink metering systems, thereby enabling the efficient and cost-effective production of custom colors directly at the print shop.
Image 3: The ChromasSar series supports the safe and efficient processing of conventional, UV, and low-migration Saphira inks for applications in the food and non-food sectors.
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.
This press release contains forward-looking statements based on assumptions and estimates made by the management of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen Aktiengesellschaft. Although management believes these assumptions and estimates to be accurate, actual future developments and results may differ significantly from these assumptions and estimates due to a variety of factors. These factors may include, for example, changes in the overall economic situation, exchange rates, and interest rates, as well as changes within the graphic arts industry. Heidelberger Druckmaschinen Aktiengesellschaft makes no warranty and assumes no liability that future developments and actual results will correspond to the assumptions and estimates expressed in this press release.
Press Officer – Corporate, Print Systems, and Technology
Tel.: +49 (0)6222 82 67174
