Do your press operators complain about gauge loss and/or short blanket life? What about easily damaged surface rubber or solvent wicking that causes swelling? Perhaps there's poor solid ink lay-down in your plant. How about center line separation on double-wide newspaper presses?

MacDermid Printing Solutions has introduced two new offset blanket lines: Courier and Cordia are designed to address blanket-related problems described by experienced pressmen with varied print backgrounds. Courier is a neutral feeding blanket, available in 3-/4-ply and no-pack calipers. Cordia is a positive feeding blanket, available in 3-/4-ply calipers. The designs of both are based on real operators' input and needs. New rubber and foam components were researched, formulated and manufactured in-house and constructed with the latest fabrics and adhesives. Product testing was conducted on multiple configurations of newspaper and commercial presses from various manufacturers—using a wide range of fountain solutions and inks.

The manufacturer's product development team credits customers, such as Newsday, Long Island, NY, for their frank dialog during beta testing. Access to experienced production and maintenance people to answer questions and provide performance feedback was invaluable, says MacDermid.

One blanket already on the market is still a pressroom standard: The premium dayGraphica 3000 from Day International. Feedback from printers indicate its print, contrast and density values hit quality targets. Dots reportedly are rounder with consistently sharp, hard edges. Halftones are crisper; solids are rich and even. This blanket combines advanced surface finishing technology with compounding expertise, resulting in precise surface smoothness and gauge uniformity.

Allied Pressroom Chemistry also has introduced a new series of custom blankets, Tru-Lith (left), to address performance issues. The flagship is the Fuzion premium blanket, offering a combination of fine dot reproduction with release characteristics. Newly engineered compressible layers provide smash and cut resistance—extending press life and performance. A UV-compatible version is available. The manufacturer reports more than 200 customers using it in the U.S., including Hollywood printer Harman Press, Los Angeles, and RR Donnelley's Post Printing, West Bend, WI.

Infinity is Allied's high-performance 4-ply blanket—recommended for dot structure, solid densities and paper release. It's engineered on a stable carcass of four fabric layers and the same advanced compressible layer utilized in the Fuzion. Infinity blankets are compatible with both conventional and hybrid inks.

Ultra is the line's economical workhorse, with a double compressible layer for smash resistance. Resistant to edge cutting and stretch, this blanket (available in 3-, 4- and 5-ply) is recommended for sheetfed and non-heatset web applications.

All punch configurations are available, and all popular steel and aluminum bars are in stock and precut for quick turnaround. Industry standard epoxies are used with barring presses for maximum adhesion of bar to blanket. High-speed precision rotary trimmers and guillotines produce accurate, repeatable cuts.

Tru-Lith blankets are available from Allied dealers throughout North America.