Presstek

What Presstek does

Presstek, founded in 1987 and headquartered originally in Nashua, New Hampshire, manufactures and markets digital offset printing solutions built around its proprietary DI (Direct Imaging) thermal laser technology, waterless printing architecture, and chemistry-free platemaking. The company invented on-press thermal laser imaging and was the first to develop chemistry-free platemaking for off-press applications, holding hundreds of patents in these areas. Its product portfolio includes the 34DI, 52DI, 52DI-AC, and 75DI digital offset presses (with LED-UV variants), the Dimension Pro2 thermal CTP system, the JT inkjet CTP system, a family of thermal and polyester plates (Anthem Elite 2, Anthem Elite DOP, ProFire, PearlDry), and supporting workflow software (Navigator RIP, Sierra, EFI Fiery XF, Dynagram inpO2).

Presstek's business model is hardware-led, generating revenue from press sales (new and factory remanufactured/CPO), CTP equipment, plate and consumable media, and professional services. The company targets commercial printers, in-plant operations at universities and government entities, packaging converters, digital printer operators, and franchise printing networks. Pricing is primarily quote-based for capital equipment, with consumables available through online ordering at shop.markandy.com. Recurring revenue derives from consumables (plates, inks, blankets) and the free myDI customer program that drives consumables attach through ROI analysis and training.

In March 2018, Presstek was acquired by Mark Andy Inc., a press manufacturer in the label and packaging printing space. The integration added Presstek's 60+ technical professionals to Mark Andy's service organization, which is described as the largest regionally-staffed service operation in North America. Concurrently, the Zahara waterless plates division was spun off into Verico Technology under former CEO Yuval Dubois, and in September 2017 Presstek had divested its wet offset thermal and violet CTP plate assets to Southern Lithoplate. Following these transactions, Presstek operates as a brand within the Mark Andy portfolio with primary go-to-market through Mark Andy's direct sales force, authorized DI channel partners (Kirby West, Enfoque Digital), and online ordering, supported by participation in major printing industry trade shows.

Name

Presstek

Legal name

Presstek LLC

Website

https://presstek.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Presstek, founded in 1987 and acquired by Mark Andy in 2018, manufactures digital offset printing presses, CTP systems, and chemistry-free plates using its proprietary DI thermal laser imaging and waterless printing technology, serving commercial printers, in-plant operations, and packaging converters globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Digital Printing Equipment

NAICS

Printing and Related Support Activities (3231), Printing (32311)

SIC

Printing Trades Machinery & Equipment (3555)

akta.pro primary industry

Production & High-Volume Printing Systems (HDACAEAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Thermal & Label Printers (HDACAEAC), Finishing & Post-Press Services (Cutting, Folding, Collating, Laminating, Foil, Emboss) (MPAJALAF)

Keywords

• Digital offset printing
• Thermal CTP systems
• Chemistry-free plates
• Waterless printing presses
• Printing plate media

Headquarters

HQ city

Uxbridge

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. DI Digital Offset Presses: Sale of new and certified pre-owned DI digital offset presses (34DI, 52DI, 75DI models) with various configurations including LED-UV and aqueous coating options.
2. Factory Remanufactured DI Presses: Sale of factory remanufactured DI presses at reduced pricing providing affordable entry to digital offset market with full warranty.
3. DI Press Plates and Consumables: Sale of ProFire and PearlDry digital plate media, inks, blankets, and pressroom supplies through online ordering.
4. CTP Plates and Systems: Sale of Anthem Elite thermal plates, JT inkjet plates, and CTP equipment including Dimension platesetters.
5. Service and Parts: Worldwide service organization providing maintenance programs, parts, repair services, and G7 Master Printer qualification for pressroom equipment.
6. myDI Program Services: Free customer support program offering consulting, ROI analysis, training discounts, and consumables pricing for DI press owners.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Presstek manufactures and markets digital offset printing solutions including DI (Direct Imaging) presses (34DI, 52DI, 52DI-AC, 75DI), thermal and inkjet CTP imaging systems, chemistry-free printing plates (Anthem, Aurora, ProFire, PearlDry), RIP and workflow software, finishing equipment, and worldwide service for commercial printers, in-plant operations, packaging converters, and franchise printing networks.

Product overview

Presstek, acquired by Mark Andy in March 2018, offers a comprehensive portfolio of eco-friendly printing solutions comprising DI digital offset presses (34DI, 52DI, 52DI-AC, 75DI in both standard and LED-UV variants, plus factory remanufactured models), CTP imaging systems (Dimension Pro2 thermal and JT Inkjet), thermal and chemistry-free printing plates (Anthem Elite 2, Anthem Elite DOP, ProFire, PearlDry Plus), workflow software (Navigator RIP/GPS, Dynagram inpO2, EFI Fiery XF, Sierra), and finishing equipment from Baum, Challenge, and Formax. The DI presses feature waterless printing with on-press chemistry-free thermal laser imaging, offering run lengths from 500 to 20,000 sheets at speeds up to 16,000 sph. CTP systems support both thermal and inkjet plate production with automation options. Presstek also provides service support, the myDI customer program, and DI University training. Founded in 1987, Presstek invented DI thermal laser direct imaging technology and chemistry-free platemaking.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• myDI: A global DI program providing profitability analysis, operation consulting, and value add programs for DI press customers.
• DI University
• Certified Pre-Owned (CPO)

Products and services

• Presstek 34DI Digital Offset Press 4-color digital offset press in a compact 2-page portrait format offering up to 7,000 sheets per hour with chemistry-free on-press imaging and waterless printing, available with LED-UV curing; targeted at commercial printers, in-plants and franchise operations needing offset quality on short runs.
• Presstek 52DI Digital Offset Press 4-color landscape-format digital offset press with maximum sheet size 20.47" x 14.76", up to 10,000 sheets per hour, automated 10-minute makeready and chemistry-free imaging, optionally equipped with LED-UV curing for printing on plastics and vinyl.
• Presstek 52DI-AC Digital Offset Press with Aqueous Coater 4-color DI digital offset press with integrated inline aqueous coater that combines automated plate advancing, imaging, printing and coating in a single compact press with inline drying, carrying a 1-year parts and labor warranty.
• Presstek 75DI Digital Offset Press Largest Presstek DI press model with 4- to 6-color configurations and optional inline aqueous coating, sheet size up to 31.02" x 23.62", 6-minute makeready, AM/stochastic screening and speeds up to 16,000 sheets per hour for run lengths of 500-20,000 sheets.
• Presstek DI LED-UV Curing System Low-energy LED-UV curing upgrade for 34DI and 52DI presses that enables instant drying and direct printing onto plastics, vinyl and coated stocks, available as a field upgrade or bundled with new presses and sold as its own product line.
• Factory Remanufactured (Certified Pre-Owned) DI Presses Factory-remanufactured Certified Pre-Owned DI presses including 34DI-E, 34DI-X, 52DI, 52DI-AC, 75DI-AC, KPG 5334 and KPG 5634 models, sold at reduced pricing with comprehensive mechanical inspection, full 1-year warranty, installation by certified field engineers, new RIP computer, latest Momentum RIP software and a complete startup kit.
• Dimension Pro2 Thermal CTP System High-performance off-press thermal computer-to-plate (CTP) system available in 4- and 8-page formats with speeds from 16 to 34 plates per hour, long-life laser diodes rated for 10,000 hours, plate-to-plate accuracy within 5 microns, bundled with chemistry-free plates for commercial and in-plant printing operations.
• JT Inkjet CTP System (JETSET) Economical chemistry-free CTP solution combining Presstek JT polyester plates, the JT RIP and standard Epson SureColor inkjet printers, designed for low-volume plate production with run lengths up to 10,000 impressions per plate at low cost per plate.
• Anthem Elite 2 Thermal Printing Plates Chemistry-free thermal plate for Dimension platesetters using non-ablative, non-carbon technology that eliminates debris management, with run lengths up to 150,000 impressions and screening up to 280 lpi at 2400 dpi for commercial and packaging applications.
• Anthem Elite DOP Printing Plates Negative-working Anthem Elite DOP plate with enhanced graining structure for improved ink/water balance, run lengths of 75,000+ impressions, screening up to 240 lpi and no washout solution required, used with Dimension platesetters.
• ProFire Digital Plate Media Polyester-backed chemistry-free digital plate media for Presstek, Ryobi, Kodak and KBA DI presses, imaged directly on press with thermal laser imaging and sold through online ordering.
• PearlDry Plus Digital Plate Media Digital plate media optimized for Heidelberg QMDI, QMDI Plus, QMDI Pro, Xerox 233DI and 400DI presses, sold as part of the Presstek DI plate media portfolio.
• Navigator RIP Workflow Software Feature-rich PDF 2.0 compatible RIP based on Harlequin technology with HDS FM screening, in-RIP trapping and proofing plug-ins, driving Presstek CTP and DI systems as well as ABDick CTP equipment; sold as a perpetual license.
• Dynagram inpO2 Imposition Software Modular PDF imposition software built into Adobe Acrobat DC, sold in inpO2+ and inpO2 Pro+ editions with wizards, layout editors, automation, assembly planning and web press capabilities.
• EFI Fiery XF Workflow Solution Premium proofing and large-format production workflow solution supporting PostScript, PDF, JPEG/JPEG 2000, EPS, TIFF, PSD and DCS1&2, with ICC color management, spot color support, JDF compliance and Macintosh/Windows cross-platform integration.
• Sierra Pre-press Workflow Adobe PDF Print Engine-based pre-press workflow with JDF compliance, integrated imposition, dynamic templates, in-RIP trapping, Enfocus-powered PDF preflighting and advanced 2D/3D soft proofing, keeping work in PDF through every workflow step.
• Finishing Equipment Complete line of finishing equipment from Baum (folders), Challenge (cutters, drills, folders) and Formax (folders, sealers, creasers), covering cutters, folders, sealers, drills and accessories marketed to commercial and in-plant print operations.
• Service and Support Worldwide paid service organization with factory-trained technicians supporting pre-press, press and post-press equipment, offering customized maintenance programs, G7 Master Printer Qualification, parts and repair services for Presstek and compatible third-party brands.

Quantifiable outcome

• Makeready time reduced to 6 minutes for 75DI press
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and moderate.

• Kirby WestcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 16 July 2018Authorized Presstek DI partner providing complete digital offset solution to meet varied customer printing requirements. Tim Kirby-founded company (2009) provides turnkey solution supported by technical team and Presstek experts. Experienced with Presstek DI presses popular with government and university in-plants.
• Southern Lithoplate, Inc. (SLP)moderateStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 September 2017Presstek entered into definitive agreement with Southern Lithoplate to sell certain assets related to CTP portfolio of wet offset thermal and violet plate products (Nytro, GemPlate, GemPlate HC, NuVio, and HSUV). Transaction allowed Presstek to focus on core product lines while enabling SLP to expand as premier prepress hardware and consumables supplier for North American print market.
• Enfoque DigitalcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 13 June 2017Latin American channel partner demonstrating Presstek DI presses at Expografica 2017 in Guadalajara, Mexico. General Manager Emilio Lazcano attributes surge of interest in Presstek DI waterless presses to growing demand for cost-effective printing equipment bridging digital and conventional offset.
• Mark Andy Inc. (Parent Company)coreOthersMark Andy acquired Presstek assets in March 2018. Integration of Presstek's 60+ technical professionals into Mark Andy service infrastructure created largest regionally-staffed service organization in North America. Presstek serves as brand within Mark Andy portfolio.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Canon (Océ): Canon's production inkjet and toner presses (via Océ) compete directly with Presstek in commercial short-run and in-plant printing, with overlapping dealer/service networks.
• Xeikon (Flint Group): Manufacturer of toner-based digital presses for labels and commercial printing. Competes with Presstek DI presses in packaging converters and commercial short-run segments, especially for label applications.
• Xerox: Xerox iGen and Baltoro toner-based digital presses compete with Presstek DI in the short-run commercial segment. Xerox historically partnered with Presstek on DI plates for the 233DI/400DI.
• HP (Indigo): HP Indigo digital presses target the same short-run, high-quality commercial print segment as Presstek DI presses. Indigo represents the primary competitive substitute for run lengths below 5,000 with growing substrate capability.

Broad incumbents

• Koenig & Bauer (KBA): Major German press manufacturer producing sheetfed and web offset presses plus special presses for packaging. Directly comparable to Presstek in commercial and packaging offset segments, with deeper enterprise footprint.
• Komori: Japanese manufacturer of sheetfed and web offset presses serving commercial, packaging and security printing. Competes with Presstek DI presses in commercial print shops and packaging converters globally.
• Heidelberger Druckmaschinen (Heidelberg): Global leader in sheetfed and web offset printing presses plus workflow. Directly competes with Presstek's DI presses in commercial print shops and in-plants, and supports competing QMDI waterless offset platforms.

Others

• Mark Andy: Parent company of Presstek since 2018. A leading manufacturer of narrow-web flexographic presses for labels and packaging. Provides distribution, service infrastructure and shared customer base.

Regional players

• Ryobi: Japanese press manufacturer whose DI-compatible sheetfed presses use Presstek ProFire plates. A historical OEM partner and complementary equipment maker rather than a direct head-to-head competitor.

Emerging players

• Screen (SCREEN Holdings): Japanese manufacturer of CTP systems and digital presses (Truepress). Competes with Presstek's Dimension Pro2 thermal CTP and adjacent digital printing solutions in prepress and commercial print.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/presstek
• YouTubeyoutube.com/presstek
• Facebookfacebook.com/presstekllc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/presstek

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Presstek