As newspapers produce more commercial work, blanket vendors are coming along for the ride. To that end, vendors are aiming to show newspaper clients they can deliver products that meet newspaper and commercial demands alike.

“As a result (of increased commercial work), many newspapers now have maintenance programs that put blanket changes on a schedule, be it time on press or number of impressions,” said Kevin Kennedy of DYC Supply Co.  

“This gives the printer the ability to change blankets on their schedule instead of on an emergency basis when the blanket fails. This practice also allows the customer to control the budget.”

DYC touts products that stand up to tough production environments, including the newest offering in its NP line of offset printing blankets, the NP-2000, developed for the carcass (fabric layer), the compressible layer and surface rubber.

DYC said the flexible carcass construction and an improved compressible layer give the NP-2000 increased smash resistance and allow for easier installation. The blanket can also better control web feed, according to DYC, which is especially important in applications on older deck-type presses or on A and B levels of tower presses.

In addition, DYC claims the blanket offers improved ink affinity and swell resistance and can carry more ink to the sheet for smoother laydown with excellent dot reproduction and fuller solids.

DYC’s roster of newspaper clients includes the Philadelphia Inquirer, the (Cleveland) Plain Dealer, the Orlando (Fla.) Sentinel, the Los Angeles Times and the Sacramento (Calif.) Bee. Kennedy said DYC’s larger metro daily clients typically run DYC’s blankets for three to six months, or about 25 million impressions.

New Day products

Day International also unveiled some beefed-up products to the newspaper industry in 2004, including its DayGraphica 5000 series of heatset web blankets and blankets for directory and insert web printing, both with Day’s DuraZone technology. Day said its DayGraphica 5000 blanket is designed to absorb damage from web breaks and smashes. Its 5010 heatset blanket touts durability and stability as well as a patented textured surface for quick release and sharp print.

Day’s 5500 blanket for directory and insert printing is designed to maintain print pressure and its compressible layer provides stability and rebound necessary in high-speed printing, the company said.

Day also introduced its 8200/Eclipse UV printing blanket in 2004, with a surface designed to reduce swelling and embossing to deliver a clean, sharp consistent dot.

In addition, Day released a line of pressroom chemistry products including its Varn Apollo web conditioner, FountainPure filters, LithoWater system and Hi-Tech brand of coatings.