Japan’s Newspaper Publishers and Editors Association has honoured local manufacturer TKS for its JetLeader 1500 inkjet web development.

The system demonstrated live, digital printing “specifically for producing newspapers thus opening a new portal for newspaper production technology,” judges said.

The technical development award will encourage TKS to further accelerate sales activities for the press in domestic and foreign markets.

In a citation, judges referred to the JetLeader’s “integrated line from reelstand to print engine and on to the folding unit” featuring a variable cutoff folder with a chopper device to produce signatures ranging from tabloid to broadsheet.

“Our industry can look forward to the contribution it will make for the future of newspaper production technology,” judges said.

The variable folder enables cutoffs to be changed between 546-813 mm, enhancing potential markets.

Founded in 1874, TKS builds printing presses, material handling and postpress equipment including the ColorTop series of newspaper presses from single-width to triple wide.

Pictured are: President Y. Shiba, advisor N. Shiba and managing director M. Kitai with the award