Printing Roller Replacement: Roland, Heidelberg, Komori and KBA
Short answer: send the press model and the roller position, and we build ink, dampening and coating rollers matched to it — with hardness specified per position rather than copied from a single sample. Heidelberg Speedmaster SM 52, SM 74, CD 74 and CD 102, GTO 46 and 52, Printmaster PM 52, Roland 200, 300 and 700, Komori Lithrone and KBA Rapida series are all in regular production.
Press Models We Manufacture For
Model coverage below is indicative. The same series can differ by year and configuration, so confirm your exact machine and roller position in the enquiry.
| Brand | Models | Rollers covered |
|---|---|---|
| Heidelberg | Speedmaster SM 52, SM 74 | Ink and dampening rollers |
| Heidelberg | Speedmaster CD 74, CD 102 | Ink and dampening trains |
| Heidelberg | GTO 46 / 52 | Ink and dampening rollers |
| Heidelberg | Printmaster PM 52 | Full replacement sets, shipped as a matched unit or as individual positions |
| Roland | 200, 300, 700 | Ink, dampening and coating rollers |
| Komori | Lithrone series | Ink and dampening trains |
| KBA | Rapida series | Ink and dampening rollers |
Sets we build most often: Heidelberg SM52 set (Speedmaster 52 ink and dampening rollers, hardness matched to each position across the unit) and Heidelberg PM52 set (Printmaster 52 full replacement sets). See the printing roller range →
Why Hardness Is Specified per Roller Position
A printing press is a stack of rollers, and every position does a different job. Using the same hardness across all of them is the fastest way to inconsistent density.
| Position | What it does | What it needs |
|---|---|---|
| Ink ductor | Transfers ink from the fountain | Consistent transfer at the fountain interface |
| Distributor | Evens out the ink film | Surface stability across the full face |
| Form | Applies ink to the plate | Controlled nip and precise pressure at the plate |
| Dampening train | Keeps the non-image area clean | Water acceptance and stable film, independent of the ink train |
We manufacture matched sets by press model, with hardness and surface finish specified per position rather than copied from a single sample. Sets are matched so the hardness progression across positions is consistent — which is what keeps density even from unit to unit and from run to run.
Practical note: hardness ranges by application are covered in the hardness guide. If you already have the press manual values, send them and we match to those.
Single Roller or Matched Set — Which to Order
Order a single roller when one position has failed and the others still measure within specification. Send the position and the reading off the roller being replaced.
Order a matched set when several positions are worn together, or when you are chasing density variation across the unit. A set arrives with the hardness progression already consistent, which is difficult to achieve by replacing positions one at a time. We ship sets as a matched unit or as individual positions, whichever suits your fitting schedule.
For UV and speciality inks we use compound-specific colours so line staff can identify positions at a glance — a small thing that prevents the wrong roller going into the wrong station.
Four Pieces of Information That Get You a Quote
| Send this | Why we need it |
|---|---|
| Press model and year | The same series can differ by year and configuration |
| Roller position | Ductor, distributor, form and dampening rollers are quoted to different hardness and finish |
| Dimensions or the worn roller | Seven measurements are enough if the drawing is lost |
| Ink type — conventional, UV or speciality | Decides the compound; UV needs a different one and we colour-code it |
You get a matched set proposal with hardness per position, a price and a lead time — usually within one working day.
Printing Roller Questions
Can you match OEM hardness exactly?
We match to the reading you provide, but recommend confirming against the press manual. If you do not have the manual, send durometer readings from the roller being replaced — taken at several points along the face, since an aged roller reads harder than its original specification.
My press is not in the list. Can you still build rollers for it?
Almost certainly. The list covers what we build most often, not the limit of what we build. Send the model, the position and either the drawing or the worn roller and we will confirm feasibility against them.
Do you supply coating rollers as well as ink and dampening?
Yes, for the models listed — Roland 200, 300 and 700 in particular. Coating rollers are quoted with the coating type in mind, so tell us what is being applied.
Can I replace one position instead of a whole unit?
Yes, and it is common. The caveat is that a new roller next to worn ones can behave differently until the rest catches up. If density consistency matters more than cost, quote the set.
What is the lead time?
Quoted per order with the proposal — it depends on the number of positions and whether you are sending cores or buying new. We confirm the date at quotation, not after.
Do you re-cover printing rollers on our existing cores?
Yes, where the core and journals are sound. Send the cores and we strip, inspect, re-cover, grind and balance. If a journal is out of tolerance we will tell you before starting.
Send the Press Model and the Roller Position
Email the model, the position and either the drawing or the worn roller. You get a matched set proposal with hardness per position, a price and a lead time — usually within one working day.