Klampfer Druck expands hybrid production with HEIDELBERG Jetfire 50

Austrian printer integrates industrial inkjet to meet demand for short runs and personalization

Klampfer Druck GmbH, a full-service provider based in St. Ruprecht an der Raab, Austria, has expanded its digital printing capabilities with the installation of a HEIDELBERG Jetfire 50. The investment, completed in late August 2026, aims to strengthen the company's hybrid production strategy, combining the strengths of offset and digital printing to address the growing market demand for shorter turnaround times and personalized print products.

The Austrian company, which employs around 100 people across five locations, produces both high-quality commercial print and folding cartons. According to Managing Director Robert Klampfer, the shift in order structures has made it increasingly difficult to economically produce runs of 1,000 to 2,000 copies using traditional offset or older toner-based digital presses. The Jetfire 50, capable of printing up to 4,560 SRA3 sheets per hour in duplex mode, provides an industrial-scale solution for these specific run lengths.

Seamless integration into existing workflows

A critical factor in Klampfer Druck's decision was the machine's integration capabilities. The Jetfire 50 is fully integrated into HEIDELBERG's digital ecosystem, which includes equipment, software, consumables, and service. At Klampfer Druck, the new press was seamlessly connected to their existing third-party workflow, with the option to transition to the AI-driven Prinect Touch Free workflow in the future for further automation.

This hybrid approach allows the company to optimize its entire technical infrastructure. For instance, personalized gift certificates or mailings, which previously required separate steps in offset and digital printing, can now be handled efficiently in a single pass on the Jetfire 50. The system also complements the company's existing offset capabilities, which include a Speedmaster XL 106 and a Speedmaster CX 104.

Eastern Europe embraces digital transformation

The installation at Klampfer Druck reflects a broader trend in the Eastern European printing market. HEIDELBERG projects that the share of digitally printed volume in total commercial printing in the region will rise to approximately 44 percent by 2030. Countries with well-established printing industries, such as Austria, Poland, and the Czech Republic, are leading this transition.

Roland Spatt, Head of the Eastern Europe Region at HEIDELBERG, noted the positive response to the Jetfire 50, emphasizing that the system's productivity enables commercial printers to future-proof their operations by combining digital and offset technologies.

The move by Klampfer Druck highlights the industry's ongoing shift towards more flexible, efficient, and automated production methods, ensuring competitiveness in a market increasingly defined by customization and rapid delivery.

The successful integration of industrial inkjet into traditional offset environments proves that hybrid production is no longer just a concept, but a practical necessity for modern print shops. Will the ability to seamlessly switch between digital and offset become the standard baseline for survival in the commercial printing sector? Follow The Paper for daily news, market signals and key updates from the global paper, corrugated and packaging industry. — Sigue toda la actualidad del sector en www.thepaper.ai