Komori Printing Machines: Complete History & All Models
Every Komori press ever made — from the 1923 hand-operated cylinder to the current Lithrone GX and Impremia NS inkjet hybrid. Japan's largest offset press manufacturer, complete model reference, and India guide.
Japan's largest and the world's second-largest offset press manufacturer. Founded in 1923 as a letterpress maker, Komori pivoted to offset in the 1960s and has consistently challenged Heidelberg for global leadership in print quality and technological innovation. The Lithrone name — introduced 1969 — has become synonymous with Japanese precision in offset printing across Asia, the Americas, and Europe.
Komori Printing Machinery Manufacturing Co. was founded in 1923 in Tokyo by Komakichi Komori. The company's early decades were defined by letterpress and relief printing equipment — newspaper printing cylinders, platen presses, and proofing presses for Japan's booming publishing industry. Komori survived World War II (their Tokyo factory was damaged but rebuilt) and through the 1950s began developing offset lithography technology. Their first commercial offset press was released in 1965 — later than Heidelberg's 1962 KORD but with an immediately competitive product.
| Model | Years | Type | Notes | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Early cylinder letterpress presses | 1923 – 1965 | Letterpress cylinder | Newspaper and commercial letterpress presses for the Japanese market. No significant India presence — this era predates Komori's export expansion. | Discontinued |
| Komori Offset No.1 (first offset press) | 1965 – 1969 | Sheet-fed offset | Komori's first commercial offset press. Small format, single colour. Established the company's offset credentials and led directly to the Lithrone launch. | Discontinued |
The Lithrone brand was introduced in 1969 — combining "litho" (lithography) and "throne" (implying mastery/supremacy). It was a bold name for an ambitious press and it delivered. The first Lithrones were single and two-colour presses that established Komori's quality reputation in Japan. Through the 1970s, Komori rapidly expanded internationally, first into the USA (Komori America Corp formed 1975) and then into Asia and Europe. India became a significant market in the 1980s.
| Model | Years | Format | Max Sheet | Max Speed | Colours | Notes | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lithrone 1 / L-1 | 1969 – 1978 | B3 | 36 × 52cm | 8,000 s/hr | 1C | The original Lithrone. Single colour, B3. Established the brand. Very rare globally. | Discontinued |
| Lithrone 2 / L-2 | 1970 – 1980 | B3 | 36 × 52cm | 8,000 s/hr | 2C | Two-colour version of L-1. First multi-colour Lithrone. | Discontinued |
| Lithrone 26 / L-26 | 1972 – 1995 | B4/B3 | 26 × 36cm | 8,000 s/hr | 1C, 2C | Compact format press for commercial and in-plant print. Some in India in older establishments. | Discontinued |
| Lithrone 28 / L-28 ★ India presence | 1976 – 1998 | B3 | 36 × 52cm | 10,000 s/hr | 1C–4C | Important Komori model for the Indian market. The L-28 4-colour was the first serious Komori 4-colour press widely sold in India, competing directly with the Heidelberg GTO 52. Used L-28 presses are still found in smaller Indian commercial printers. Parts available through Komori India and third-party suppliers. | Discontinued |
| Lithrone 40 / L-40 | 1978 – 1990 | B2 | 52 × 72cm | 12,000 s/hr | 2C, 4C, 6C | First Komori B2+ format press. Competed with Heidelberg SM 72. Moderate India presence in larger commercial printers. | Discontinued |
| Lithrone 44 / L-44 | 1980 – 1992 | B2+ | 60 × 80cm | 12,000 s/hr | 2C, 4C, 6C | Extended B2 format. Used for packaging applications. Limited India presence. | Discontinued |
| Lithrone 102 (System 102) | 1985 – 1993 | B1 | 72 × 102cm | 13,000 s/hr | 4C, 6C, 8C | Komori's first B1 format press — a direct challenger to the Heidelberg SM 102. Established Komori as a credible B1 press maker. Significant India installed base in large commercial printers who specified Komori as an alternative to Heidelberg. | Discontinued |
The S series (Standard/Sheetfed) brought full computer control — Komori's own KMS (Komori Management System) console for ink zone presetting, automatic plate registration, and print quality management. The S series established Komori as a true quality peer to Heidelberg, not just a cheaper alternative. In India, Lithrone S series presses form a significant part of the mid-to-large commercial print installed base.
- Lithrone S-29 / S-40 (4C, 1995–2002 vintage): ₹20–50 lakh
- Lithrone S-40 4C + coater (2000–2005): ₹40–90 lakh
- Lithrone S-44 4C (1995–2004): ₹35–80 lakh
- Lithrone S-40 8C + coater (1998–2005): ₹1–3 crore
- Prices are indicative. Komori India and specialist used machinery dealers (Ulhasnagar, Kirti Nagar) can provide current valuations.
| Model | Years | Format | Max Sheet | Max Speed | Colour configs | Notes & India significance | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lithrone S-29 (LS-29) | 1990 – 2005 | B3 | 36.5 × 52cm | 13,000 s/hr | 1C–4C, perfecting option | Komori's primary B3 press through the 1990s. Direct Heidelberg SM 52 competitor. Strong India presence in small-mid commercial print. The S-29 4-colour was the most popular Komori B3 press in India in the 1990s. | Discontinued |
| Lithrone S-40 (LS-40) ★★ Very strong India presence | 1990 – 2007 | B2 | 57 × 72cm | 15,000 s/hr | 2C–8C, perfecting, coater variants | One of the most important Komori presses in India. The LS-40 4-colour and 5-colour-plus-coater configurations were extensively used by Indian pharma packaging converters, commercial printers, and folding carton manufacturers. Heidelberg SM 74 direct competitor. Multiple generations (LS-40, LS-40H, LS-40 3rd generation). Large India installed base — estimated 500–800 LS-40 presses in India. Used LS-40 4C: ₹30–80 lakh. | Discontinued |
| Lithrone S-44 (LS-44) | 1993 – 2006 | B2+ | 60 × 80cm | 15,000 s/hr | 4C–8C, coater | Extended B2 format. Popular with packaging converters handling larger carton formats. Moderate India presence. | Discontinued |
| Lithrone S-40 RP (Reversible Perfector) ★ Book printing | 1995 – 2007 | B2 | 57 × 72cm | 13,000 s/hr | 4+4, 5+5 simultaneous perfecting | Perfecting version of LS-40 — prints both sides simultaneously. Critical for high-volume book printing, educational textbooks, and catalogues. Used by major Indian book printers (Thomson Press, Replika Press, Orient Press). Significant India installed base for book and publication work. | Discontinued |
| Lithrone S-26 (LS-26) | 1992 – 2005 | B3 | 36.5 × 52cm | 13,000 s/hr | 2C, 4C | Compact B3, entry commercial. Limited India presence. | Discontinued |
| Lithrone 102 S (LS-102) ★★ India flagship | 1992 – 2007 | B1 | 72 × 102cm | 15,000 s/hr | 4C–12C, perfecting, coater | The S-series B1 press — Komori's main B1 offering for two decades. Heidelberg SM/CD 102 direct competitor. In India: used by major commercial printers, packaging converters, and book printers as the premium Japanese alternative to Heidelberg SM 102. Very significant India installed base. Multiple generations and configurations. Used LS-102 4C: ₹60–150 lakh; 8C+coater: ₹2–4 crore. | Discontinued |
| Lithrone S-44 P (Packaging) | 1998 – 2006 | B2+ | 62 × 86cm | 15,000 s/hr | 4C–8C + UV option | Packaging-specific variant — heavier build for thick board, UV option for premium packaging. Used by Indian folding carton converters. | Discontinued |
The G series introduced Komori's Simultaneous Plate Changer (SPC) — all plates changed at once in under 2 minutes — and the landmark H-UV (High-Peak UV) curing system. H-UV uses iron/gallium-doped mercury lamps similar to Heidelberg's LE-UV, enabling instant drying on coated stocks at lower energy and cost than conventional UV. H-UV became Komori's most significant technology differentiator in this era and remains widely used on G-series presses in India.
H-UV (High Peak UV) was Komori's answer to the demand for UV-quality printing on standard coated paper without the full cost of UV inks. Using specifically formulated H-UV inks and modified UV lamps, the Lithrone G and GX presses with H-UV deliver immediate drying, high gloss, and elimination of anti-setoff powder — important for pharmaceutical packaging where powder contamination is unacceptable. H-UV Lithrone G presses are found across India's pharma packaging belt in Ahmedabad, Baddi, and Hyderabad. Komori H-UV overview ↗
| Model | Introduced | Format | Max Sheet | Max Speed | Colour configs | Notes & India significance | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lithrone G29 (LG-29) | 2005 | B3 | 36.5 × 52cm | 15,000 s/hr | 2C–6C, H-UV option | G-series B3 press. Successor to LS-29. Faster makeready than S-series. Moderate India presence — pharma inserts, commercial. | Superseded by GX29 |
| Lithrone G40 (LG-40) ★★ Strong India seller | 2005 | B2 | 58 × 72cm | 16,000 s/hr | 4C–10C, H-UV, perfecting, coater | The G-series flagship B2 press. Major upgrade from LS-40 — faster, better automation, H-UV option. In India: widely adopted by pharma packaging converters upgrading from LS-40. The G40 with H-UV became the standard press for Indian pharmaceutical folding carton work. Estimated 300–500 LG-40 in India. komori.com ↗ | Superseded by GX40 |
| Lithrone G44 (LG-44) | 2006 | B2+ | 61 × 86cm | 16,500 s/hr | 4C–8C, H-UV, coater | Extended B2 press. Packaging-focused. Used by folding carton converters in India needing larger format. | Superseded by GX44 |
| Lithrone G40 RP (Perfecting) | 2006 | B2 | 58 × 72cm | 15,000 s/hr | 4+4, 5+5, 6+6 simultaneous | Perfecting version of LG-40. Used by book printers in India. Successor to the LS-40 RP. | Superseded by GX40RP |
| Lithrone G102 / G104 (LG-102/LG-104) ★★ India flagship B1 | 2006 | B1 | 72 × 102cm / 75 × 104cm | 16,500 s/hr | 4C–12C, H-UV, perfecting, coater | G-series B1 press. Direct competitor to Heidelberg CD 102/XL 105. In India: installed in large commercial printers and premium packaging converters as the Komori B1 flagship. H-UV version popular in pharma and FMCG packaging. Simultaneous plate change dramatically reduces makeready time. | Superseded by GX |
Komori rebranded and significantly updated the GX range in August 2020 as the Lithrone GX/G advance series. The advance update brought KHS-AI (self-learning artificial intelligence for colour and register control), improved Komorimatic dampening, and KP-Connect Pro MES integration. At drupa 2024, Komori announced the further-updated GX/G advance EX edition with energy-saving DC blower, e-Mist humidification, and Smart Inking Flow for reduced power consumption. Max speed on the GX40 advance confirmed at 18,000 sph.
- Lithrone GX40: komori.com → Lithrone GX40 ↗
- Lithrone GX44: komori.com → Lithrone GX44 ↗
- Lithrone GX40RP: komori.com → Lithrone GX40RP ↗
- Lithrone GX29: komori.com → Lithrone GX29 ↗
- All Komori sheetfed presses: komori.com → Sheetfed ↗
| Model | Introduced | Format | Max Sheet | Max Speed | Colour configs | Notes & India significance | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lithrone GX29 advance ★ Current B3 | 2016 → 2020 (advance) | B3 | 61 × 75cm | 16,500 s/hr | 2C–6C, LED UV (H-UV L) option | Current B3 press — confirmed 16,500 sph per Komori Europe spec. Handles lightweight papers through heavy board and metalised films. In India: pharma inserts, labels, small commercial. Official GX29 ↗ | Current |
| Lithrone GX40 advance / advance EX ★★★ Most popular Komori in India | 2015 (GX40) → 2020 (advance) → 2024 (advance EX) | B2 | 58 × 72cm | 18,000 s/hr | 4C–10C, LED UV (H-UV L), coater | The current Komori flagship for India — confirmed 18,000 sph. The advance EX (drupa 2024) adds DC blower, e-Mist, Smart Inking Flow for reduced energy consumption. KHS-AI self-learning colour/register control, KP-Connect Pro IoT. In India: widely specified for pharmaceutical packaging, FMCG folding cartons, and commercial print. New: ₹1.5–4 crore. Official GX range ↗ | Current |
| Lithrone GX40P advance | 2020 – present | B2 | 58 × 72cm | 15,000 s/hr | 4+4 to 6+6 convertible perfecting | Convertible perfecting version of GX40 advance — switches between straight printing and perfecting mode, unlike the GX40RP which is dedicated two-sided only. The flexibility to run both straight and perfecting jobs on one press. In India: book printers and commercial printers who need both modes. Komori advance range ↗ | Current |
| Lithrone GX44 advance ★★ Packaging specialist | 2015 (GX44) → 2020 (advance) | B2+ | 64 × 86cm | 18,000 s/hr | 4C–10C, LED UV, H-UV, coater | Extended B2 format for larger folding carton formats. KHS-AI, KP-Connect standard. Growing India adoption in folding carton converters. Official ↗ | Current |
| Lithrone GX40RP advance ★★ Book printing | 2016 (GX40RP) → 2020 (advance) | B2 | 58 × 72cm | 18,000 s/hr | 4+4 to 6+6 dedicated double-sided | Dedicated two-sided press — purpose-built one-pass, not convertible. Single-edge gripping eliminates tail-end margins, saving ~1.4% paper costs per year vs perfectors. For book printing, catalogues, direct mail. Strong India base in educational book printing. Official GX40RP ↗ | Current |
| Lithrone GX44RP advance | 2020 – present | B2+ | 64 × 86cm | 18,000 s/hr | 4+4 to 6+6 dedicated double-sided | 44" version of the dedicated two-sided GX40RP. For high-volume book and catalogue work at larger format. Limited India presence — specialist book printers. Official ↗ | Current |
| Lithrone G40 advance / G44 advance | 2020 – present | B2 / B2+ | 58×72cm / 64×86cm | 16,500 s/hr | 4C–10C, H-UV option (no LED UV standard) | The G-series (without the X prefix) is Komori's value range — same advanced automation as GX but without LED UV as standard. More cost-accessible entry into current Komori technology. The G40P advance adds convertible perfecting. In India: the GX40 advance is more commonly specified but the G40 advance is a realistic option for price-sensitive buyers. G advance range ↗ | Current |
Note on Komori B1 current range: Komori's current B1 press range is the Lithrone GX Series at 102/104cm format. Contact Komori India for current B1 model specifications as the line has been updated progressively. Full sheetfed range ↗
Komori is one of only a handful of companies globally that manufactures intaglio presses for currency and security document printing — a highly specialised field alongside KBA and De La Rue. This is an important dimension of Komori's India relationship.
| Product | Application | India significance |
|---|---|---|
| Komori Intaglio Press (Series 100) | Currency banknote printing — intaglio raised-ink security printing | India: Komori supplies intaglio presses to the Government of India's Security Printing and Minting Corporation of India (SPMCIL) and Reserve Bank of India Note Mudran Private Limited (BRBNMPL) — the facilities that print Indian currency notes. This relationship gives Komori a unique strategic position in India beyond commercial printing. Security division ↗ |
| Komori Passport & ID Press | Passport booklets, identity documents | Supplied to Indian government security printing establishments for identity document production. |
| Model | Introduced | Technology | Notes | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Impremia IS29 | 2013 | UV inkjet (B3 sheet-fed) | Komori's first digital inkjet press. UV-curable inkjet at B3 format. Designed for short-run commercial print and packaging samples without plates. Limited India installations. | Discontinued |
| Impremia NS40 ★ Hybrid flagship | 2018 | Offset + UV inkjet hybrid (B2) | The landmark Komori hybrid — combines conventional offset printing (for base colours, white, metallics from plates) with inline UV inkjet (for variable data, versioning, personalisation). One press can run both offset and digital jobs. In India: limited but growing installations in premium commercial printers and packaging converters who want digital capability alongside offset. Official page ↗ | Current |
| Impremia C75 | 2020 | UV inkjet (B2+ sheet-fed, no plates) | Pure digital UV inkjet at B2+ format. High-quality short-run packaging and commercial. Digital range ↗ | Current |
Komori India Pvt Ltd
Wholly owned subsidiary of Komori Corporation Japan — not a third-party agent
Service: Factory-trained Komori engineers across all major print clusters. Komori India stocks essential spare parts domestically.
Special strength: Komori India's security division relationship with SPMCIL and BRBNMPL gives them unique institutional credibility. Their commercial press team operates separately from the security division.
Used equipment: Komori operates a certified used press programme globally. India-specific used Komori stock is available through authorised dealers. Contact Komori India Gurgaon directly for current availability.
Finance: Available through approved NBFCs and Komori's financial services partners in India.
| Feature | LS-29 (legacy B3) | GX29 (current B3) | GX40 (current B1) | GX44 (current B1+) | LS-40 (legacy B1) | Impremia NS40 (digital hybrid) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Format | B3 36×52cm | B3 36×52cm | B1 40×56cm | B1+ 44×60cm | B1 40×56cm | B1 40×56cm |
| Technology | Sheet-fed offset | Sheet-fed offset | Sheet-fed offset | Sheet-fed offset | Sheet-fed offset | Inkjet digital |
| Max speed | 13,000/hr | 15,000/hr | 18,000/hr | 18,000/hr | 15,000/hr | 4,200/hr |
| Max colours | 4C | 6C | 8C | 8C | 6C | CMYK + special |
| H-UV option | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | N/A |
| Perfecting | Optional | Optional | Yes | Yes | Optional | No |
| Produced | 1990–2005 | 2015–present | 2010–present | 2012–present | 2000–2015 | 2015–present |
| India installed base | ~400 ★★★ | ~200 ★★ | ~1,000+ ★★★★ | ~400 ★★★ | ~600 ★★★ | ~50 ★ |
| Used price India | ₹5–18 lakh | ₹25–55 lakh | ₹45–100 lakh | ₹55–120 lakh | ₹20–50 lakh | ₹80L–1.5Cr |
| Best India use | B3 commercial quality | B3 H-UV jobs | Packaging commercial | Premium packaging | B1 commercial | Short-run digital offset |