Koenig & Bauer Rapida 106 boosts Carlson Print Group productivity by over 30 percent

Single-pass efficiency for premium packaging

The premium packaging and specialty print market demands increasingly complex finishes without sacrificing operational speed. Addressing this industrial reality, Koenig & Bauer has successfully deployed a new eight-color Rapida 106 press with a double coater at Carlson Print Group in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. This installation establishes the German manufacturer's technology as the primary production engine for the American converter, delivering a verified productivity increase of over 30 percent across its operations.

Carlson Print Group, a company already familiar with Koenig & Bauer's architecture, initiated this capacity expansion to absorb sustained business growth in high-margin segments. The specific configuration of this Rapida 106 targets the technical bottlenecks traditionally associated with premium printing. By integrating specialized modules for cold foil and Cast & Cure applications directly into the press line, the system allows for complex embellishments in a single pass. Historically, combining these treatments required multiple runs, increasing waste and extending lead times.

Advanced color control and automation

The operational impact of this eight-color platform extends beyond raw speed. The press is equipped with advanced inline color control systems that drastically reduce makeready times, ensuring immediate color fidelity and maintaining consistency throughout long runs. For Carlson, whose portfolio heavily features trading cards, premium packaging, and specialized commercial prints, this precision is non-negotiable.

This deployment in the United States underscores a broader industry trend in 2026: converters are moving away from multi-step finishing processes in favor of highly automated, single-pass architectures. By consolidating printing and complex coating into one continuous workflow, Koenig & Bauer provides a measurable competitive advantage, allowing converters to scale their output while protecting the tight margins of the premium packaging sector.