Before you buy a used offset press, read this.
If you’re considering the purchase of a second-hand offset press, you’re not alone. But many buyers overlook hidden defects that can cost tens of thousands of euros. Here’s what we often find during on-site inspections:
1. Removed or Missing Components
Sometimes we encounter printing houses where the owner is reluctant to spend money on equipment maintenance. In such cases, one or even two units may become donors. When selling a machine, it is quite difficult to immediately estimate the cost of removed spare parts, as they are not always easily accessible.
The cost of identifying parts, ordering spare parts and installing them is a long and extremely costly process. Therefore, it is better to refuse such machines. It is unknown what the new owner will face when he fully realises the condition of such a machine.
2. Unauthorized Configuration Changes
Hybrid presses with UV dryers or special rollers may have been downgraded without proper documentation. Sellers often advertise factory specs, hiding the fact that key parts were replaced with cheaper parts for conventional technology. This could mean you’re overpaying for technology that’s no longer there.
One of these cases described here.
Another case is when the printing machine is located in a country where it is difficult to obtain the ordered spare part. Customs and payment difficulties lead to the printing house replacing original parts with Chinese counterfeits or getting rid of them altogether.
3. Poor Foundation Work
An issue no one talks about. If the original foundation was not built to spec — for example, not supporting the full perimeter of the press — it may cause vibrations, loosening bolts and damaging bearings. Once installed in your facility, these issues become your problem.
4. Rust on the Blanket Cylinders
Older machines, especially those without chrome-plated cylinders, often show rust under the rubber blankets. This corrosion swells the surface and affects print quality, making it nearly impossible to achieve a stable print.
5. Unqualified Repairs
When spare parts are hard to get, some print shops make improvised repairs. We’ve seen soldered PCBs and hacked-together fixes that work temporarily — until they fail catastrophically. Electronic boards can cost up to €20,000 each.
6. Signs of Neglected Maintenance
Operators under production pressure often skip basic upkeep. Lack of lubrication, unserviced perfecting units, and clogged filters are common — and they all lead to expensive breakdowns.
7. Faulty Sheet Transport Systems
Feeder and gripper issues are hard to diagnose without printing tests. Grippers can be bent, their pads can wear unevenly, and clamp opening slide bearings can break over time. All of this affects the drive. And it’s one of the most expensive systems to fix.
8. Malfunctioning Optical Control Devices
Devices like AxisControl or Densitronic S require regular cleaning, lubrication, and sometimes part replacement. But these are often forgotten. We even offer service for discontinued models.
9. Damage from Previous Dismantling
Often, some service engineers resort to dumping policies to get an order for dismantling or assembling a printing machine. Not all of them are qualified. Some traces of their activities can be hidden, so you will not immediately see the results of their ‘work’.
10. Equipment Left to Die
Once the decision to purchase a new machine has been made, the printing house stops investing in the old machine. Delivery times for new printing machines have been increasing in recent years and can reach 9-15 months, depending on the configuration and the factory backlog. All problems and defects that arise during the transition period are passed on to the new owner.
Pro Tip: Always schedule two inspections — one before the deal, one before transport. Many of the above issues can only be spotted by a trained eye.
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Still not sure? If even two of these points raises a question, let a professional inspection team handle it for you.
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