Smart Graphics Co. Ltd., Japan, which is part of the Uematsu Group, has operated from its site in Toda City, Saitama Prefecture (North of Tokyo) since November 2019. Specializing in contract production for major online print retailers, the company runs multiple presses, including the latest Speedmaster SX 102 Version 92-8-P LED UV with fourth-generation CutStar.
Their remarkable productivity stems not only from press performance but from a clear vision: the creation of a “Smart Factory” focused on full-process automation and streamlined labor. The Speedmaster SX 102, an 8-color perfecting press, supports this strategy by dramatically reducing makeready times, minimizing waste, and boosting output.
The Speedmaster SX 102 combines the trusted perfecting technology of the Speedmaster series with innovations from the peak performance class. Its 650 x 940 mm plate format reduces plate costs by up to 20% compared to standard 70 x 100 formats.
“Given our typical job sizes of 2,000-3,000 sheets and the consistent paper types we use, I initially considered the Speedmaster XL 106,” recalls Keisuke Fukuda, Director and Head of the President’s Office. “But the plate format wasn’t ideal. When I learned HEIDELBERG could provide a B1 plate solution, the Speedmaster SX 102 Version 92 was the obvious choice.”
President Hiroshi Fukuda outlines the company’s priorities: “In our business, cost margins are extremely tight. Speed, makeready time, and waste must all be minimized.” The Speedmaster SX 102 delivers on all three fronts. Equipped with Prinect Inpress Control 3, it enables inline color and register adjustment during the run, while AutoPlate Pro slashes plate-change time by up to 50%. “A full plate change takes about three minutes. With Inpress Control handling immediate color matching, we can go straight into production. That greatly reduces manual steps,” says Fukuda.
Waste before full production is now down to about 30 sheets per job, and makeready time has been cut to seconds, while maintaining a constant speed of 14,000 sheets per hour. Fukuda adds, “For short runs, cutting makeready and waste helps lower cost per sheet. Offset still competes well against digital in this range.”
To further reduce costs, Smart Graphics became the first in Japan to install a CutStar of the 4th generation, switching from sheets to roll-fed input. This setup enables highly economical production across diverse job sizes. “Even for short runs of 300-400 sheets, CutStar allows us to process a high volume of jobs efficiently,” Fukuda explains.
While focused on cost savings, quality remains uncompromised. Unlike Uematsu’s artisanal print products, Smart Graphics operates to Japan Color standards, which Fukuda emphasizes ensures consistent, high industrial quality within the group.
Since the Speedmaster SX 102 installation in 2024, Smart Graphics has expanded both printing and postpress operations, ensuring steady growth. Investments include ink piping systems, automated plate logistics, and a palletizing unit that handles sorting and stacking by destination—minimizing manual labor throughout production.
Looking ahead, the company is working on automated scheduling. “We haven’t fully optimized our Speedmaster SX 102 or CutStar yet,” says Fukuda. “Smaller jobs are key to unlocking their full potential. The next step is integrating automation from press output to the cutting stage. Our goal is plant-wide efficiency.”
Headquarters/Corporate Administration Department
3-34-13 Minami-Nagasaki, Toshima-ku, Tokyo 171-0052, Japan
Toda Plant
2-22-10 Hayase, Toda-shi, Saitama 335-0036, Japan
