06/02/2026
Image includes, left to right: Parker McClure, Owner; Jeremy Kreamer, Pressroom Manager; David Ford, General Manager; Jimmy Singer, Owner; Robby Odom, Pressroom Manager
Marietta, Ga. – Brodnax 21C, building upon nearly 70 years of success as a commercial printer, expanded its footprint with the establishment of Brodnax 21C Packaging in 2022. To support this growing endeavor and thriving trading card business, the Dallas, Texas-based business recently installed a 21K Speedmaster XL 106-8P+L from HEIDELBERG. Since installation in December, the press has increased efficiency and capacity, advancing Brodnax 21C’s growth and commitment to building its packaging operations.
The Fastest Speedmaster in Texas
Started in 1957 by John Brodnax, Brodnax 21C Printers has evolved from a small commercial printer into an approximately $25 million marketing services company – offering lithographic printing, digital small-format printing, wide-format printing, and promotional materials. Twenty years after purchasing the company from Brodnax in 2002, current Owner and President, Jim Singer, along with son and CFO/COO, Jimmy Singer, Mike Campbell, Randy McClure, Nick Netsch, Casey Graves, and Parker McClure, formed Brodnax 21C Packaging. The sister companies serve a diverse nationwide clientele, producing everything from vehicle wraps and business stationery to folding cartons, while maintaining strong positions in the catalog and trading card markets.
“Not everyone can print trading cards,” said Jim. “We’ve developed a highly refined workflow to serve those clients, delivering exceptional print quality with extremely tight quality control.”
Brodnax 21C’s commitment to delivering the highest quality to its clients, combined with the expansion of its trading card and packaging businesses, led the company to invest in a new Speedmaster XL 106 from HEIDELBERG. The eight-color perfecter joins a 2015 Speedmaster XL 106-8+L along with two Speedmaster CD 102 presses and is capable of printing 21,000 sheets per hour – making it the fastest Speedmaster in Texas. Purchased from HEIDELBERG’s Print Media Center in Atlanta, the press is equipped with the latest innovations, including Push to Stop, AutoPlate XL, Prinect Inpress Control 3, Prinect Inspection Control 4, and the HEIDELBERG UX with AI-powered press assistance systems.
“Our investments in cutting edge technology and automation help differentiate us from many competitors in the market,” said Jim. “Our business is growing and we choose to reinvest our profits back into the company for the betterment of our employees and customers.”
High Level of Quality, Extremely High Velocity
With HEIDELBERG’s AI-driven Intellistart 3, all steps required for job changes are defined without any operator intervention for all active and queued processes. This enhanced automation, paired with automatic plate changing with AutoPlate XL, allows Brodnax 21C to hang eight plates and complete makeready in less than 30 seconds.
“On our 2020 CD 102 press, the same job would take 30 minutes,” said Jimmy. “We process 4,000 to 5,000 plates each month, so those time savings have a significant impact on both our bottom line and the service we provide to customers.”
The press’s AI-powered assistance systems also help accelerate color washes, which is a critical advantage in trading card production, where frequent washes are required to accommodate unique variations and special effects. Previously, washes could take anywhere from 30 to 40 minutes per wash; with the XL 106, that time has been reduced to just 10 minutes.
“The automation and the power of this press is significant, even from when we bought our 2020 press to now,” said Jim. “There are four years of advancements that allow us to produce at a very high level of quality, at an extremely high velocity.”
The press’s high operating speeds, combined with its UV and LED curing technologies, have further improved efficiency. The combination of curing capabilities enables the company to print on virtually any substrate – synthetics, clear polyester, foil board, and other laminated materials.
To maintain consistent color and quality at high speeds across a wide range of substrates, Prinect Inpress Control – the industry’s leading inline spectrophotometer – measures, controls, and registers color on the fly at any production speed. As a result, sheets can get up to color and in register in as little as 60 sheets. As a G7 Master Certified printer, Brodnax 21C has fingerprinted all of its presses to ensure consistent color management across every platform. Prinect Inpress Control has further strengthened that capability by enabling the company to maintain exceptionally tight Delta E tolerances throughout press runs.
According to Jimmy, “When the color shifts, it can be so slight, the human eye can’t even see the differences, but the press automatically detects these shifts and readjusts them without stopping the press.”
Prinect Inpress Control is complemented by Prinect Inspection Control, a camera-based quality control system that detects even minor print defects, such as hickeys, and identifies the exact sheets that need to be removed. Together, the systems help Brodnax 21C reduce waste, save time and materials, and catch color shifts or print defects before they create more costly issues further downstream in production.
“All of these productivity and quality improvements ultimately translate into stronger margins and greater efficiency for our business,” said Jim.
Substantial Key Differentiators
Brodnax 21C has operated HEIDELBERG presses since the 1990s, and today also runs several Stahlfolders and POLAR cutting systems and peripherals in addition to its four Speedmaster presses.
“We’ve always bought HEIDELBERG presses because they’re great machines. Take care of them, and they last forever,” said Jim. “Keeping a consistent press platform also makes sense for the operators, the consumables, and the service. If there’s an issue, we can troubleshoot remotely right away and if it can’t be solved, a ticket is automatically generated, and a technician is to our facility very quickly. HEIDELBERG’s service is top notch.”
Strong advocates and supporters of industry education and engaging younger generations in print, the Singers also noted that they have been highly impressed with HEIDELBERG’s level of training and support.
“Because these presses are so powerful, you need to continually train press crews to reach optimal levels of productivity and quality,” they said. “We need to be investing in younger people to come into this great, dynamic industry, and HEIDELBERG has a done great job at trying to advance those efforts.”
About Brodnax 21C
Brodnax 21C is an omnichannel marketing partner specializing in printed and promotional collateral and technology tools that drive personalization and unique customer experiences. As the company looks to the future, it remains dedicated to pushing the boundaries of printing technology, embracing emerging trends, and delivering superior products and services that empower individuals and businesses alike. Brodnax 21C stands poised to shape the future of printing, reaffirming its position as a key player in the ever-evolving digital age.
About HEIDELBERG:
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, HEIDELBERG as a total solution provider is driving further development in the core areas of packaging and digital printing, software solutions and the 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, automation technology and robotics as well as the growing green technologies. With a strong international presence in approximately 170 countries, the creative power and expertise of its around 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 well-positioned for future growth.
Heather Banis
Director, Marketing & Sales Excellence
Phone: +1 (770) 419-6821
Email*: Heather.Banis@heidelberg.com
06/02/2026
Marietta, Ga. – Brodnax 21C, building upon nearly 70 years of success as a commercial printer, expanded its footprint with the establishment of Brodnax 21C Packaging in 2022. To support this growing endeavor and thriving trading card business, the Dallas, Texas-based business recently installed a 21K Speedmaster XL 106-8P+L from HEIDELBERG. Since installation in December, the press has increased efficiency and capacity, advancing Brodnax 21C’s growth and commitment to building its packaging operations.
The Fastest Speedmaster in Texas
Started in 1957 by John Brodnax, Brodnax 21C Printers has evolved from a small commercial printer into an approximately $25 million marketing services company – offering lithographic printing, digital small-format printing, wide-format printing, and promotional materials. Twenty years after purchasing the company from Brodnax in 2002, current Owner and President, Jim Singer, along with son and CFO/COO, Jimmy Singer, Mike Campbell, Randy McClure, Nick Netsch, Casey Graves, and Parker McClure, formed Brodnax 21C Packaging. The sister companies serve a diverse nationwide clientele, producing everything from vehicle wraps and business stationery to folding cartons, while maintaining strong positions in the catalog and trading card markets.
“Not everyone can print trading cards,” said Jim. “We’ve developed a highly refined workflow to serve those clients, delivering exceptional print quality with extremely tight quality control.”
Brodnax 21C’s commitment to delivering the highest quality to its clients, combined with the expansion of its trading card and packaging businesses, led the company to invest in a new Speedmaster XL 106 from HEIDELBERG. The eight-color perfecter joins a 2015 Speedmaster XL 106-8+L along with two Speedmaster CD 102 presses and is capable of printing 21,000 sheets per hour – making it the fastest Speedmaster in Texas. Purchased from HEIDELBERG’s Print Media Center in Atlanta, the press is equipped with the latest innovations, including Push to Stop, AutoPlate XL, Prinect Inpress Control 3, Prinect Inspection Control 4, and the HEIDELBERG UX with AI-powered press assistance systems.
“Our investments in cutting edge technology and automation help differentiate us from many competitors in the market,” said Jim. “Our business is growing and we choose to reinvest our profits back into the company for the betterment of our employees and customers.”
High Level of Quality, Extremely High Velocity
With HEIDELBERG’s AI-driven Intellistart 3, all steps required for job changes are defined without any operator intervention for all active and queued processes. This enhanced automation, paired with automatic plate changing with AutoPlate XL, allows Brodnax 21C to hang eight plates and complete makeready in less than 30 seconds.
“On our 2020 CD 102 press, the same job would take 30 minutes,” said Jimmy. “We process 4,000 to 5,000 plates each month, so those time savings have a significant impact on both our bottom line and the service we provide to customers.”
The press’s AI-powered assistance systems also help accelerate color washes, which is a critical advantage in trading card production, where frequent washes are required to accommodate unique variations and special effects. Previously, washes could take anywhere from 30 to 40 minutes per wash; with the XL 106, that time has been reduced to just 10 minutes.
“The automation and the power of this press is significant, even from when we bought our 2020 press to now,” said Jim. “There are four years of advancements that allow us to produce at a very high level of quality, at an extremely high velocity.”
The press’s high operating speeds, combined with its UV and LED curing technologies, have further improved efficiency. The combination of curing capabilities enables the company to print on virtually any substrate – synthetics, clear polyester, foil board, and other laminated materials.
To maintain consistent color and quality at high speeds across a wide range of substrates, Prinect Inpress Control – the industry’s leading inline spectrophotometer – measures, controls, and registers color on the fly at any production speed. As a result, sheets can get up to color and in register in as little as 60 sheets. As a G7 Master Certified printer, Brodnax 21C has fingerprinted all of its presses to ensure consistent color management across every platform. Prinect Inpress Control has further strengthened that capability by enabling the company to maintain exceptionally tight Delta E tolerances throughout press runs.
According to Jimmy, “When the color shifts, it can be so slight, the human eye can’t even see the differences, but the press automatically detects these shifts and readjusts them without stopping the press.”
Prinect Inpress Control is complemented by Prinect Inspection Control, a camera-based quality control system that detects even minor print defects, such as hickeys, and identifies the exact sheets that need to be removed. Together, the systems help Brodnax 21C reduce waste, save time and materials, and catch color shifts or print defects before they create more costly issues further downstream in production.
“All of these productivity and quality improvements ultimately translate into stronger margins and greater efficiency for our business,” said Jim.
Substantial Key Differentiators
Brodnax 21C has operated HEIDELBERG presses since the 1990s, and today also runs several Stahlfolders and POLAR cutting systems and peripherals in addition to its four Speedmaster presses.
“We’ve always bought HEIDELBERG presses because they’re great machines. Take care of them, and they last forever,” said Jim. “Keeping a consistent press platform also makes sense for the operators, the consumables, and the service. If there’s an issue, we can troubleshoot remotely right away and if it can’t be solved, a ticket is automatically generated, and a technician is to our facility very quickly. HEIDELBERG’s service is top notch.”
Strong advocates and supporters of industry education and engaging younger generations in print, the Singers also noted that they have been highly impressed with HEIDELBERG’s level of training and support.
“Because these presses are so powerful, you need to continually train press crews to reach optimal levels of productivity and quality,” they said. “We need to be investing in younger people to come into this great, dynamic industry, and HEIDELBERG has a done great job at trying to advance those efforts.”
About Brodnax 21C
Brodnax 21C is an omnichannel marketing partner specializing in printed and promotional collateral and technology tools that drive personalization and unique customer experiences. As the company looks to the future, it remains dedicated to pushing the boundaries of printing technology, embracing emerging trends, and delivering superior products and services that empower individuals and businesses alike. Brodnax 21C stands poised to shape the future of printing, reaffirming its position as a key player in the ever-evolving digital age.
About HEIDELBERG:
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, HEIDELBERG as a total solution provider is driving further development in the core areas of packaging and digital printing, software solutions and the 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, automation technology and robotics as well as the growing green technologies. With a strong international presence in approximately 170 countries, the creative power and expertise of its around 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 well-positioned for future growth.
Director, Marketing & Sales Excellence
Phone: +1 (770) 419-6821