Packrite LLC is redefining the efficiency of large-format offset print production. In a strategic move to offer customers unparalleled quality through consistency and speed, the company has announced the purchase of a new Koenig & Bauer Rapida 164, 8-colour press. The installation, scheduled for spring 2026 at its High Point, NC facility, marks a significant initiative in Packrite’s ability to further support complex, high-end packaging with digital-level speed and agility.
“We’ve spent years searching for a solution that combines the flexibility of digital with the superior quality of offset,” said Michael Drummond, CEO, Packrite. “When Koenig & Bauer presented the Rapida 164 with its ultra-short make-readies and a 7-colour expanded gamut, we knew we had found the answer. This press allows us to compete for the most demanding short-run jobs while maintaining the premium quality that our business is built on.”
The investment allows Packrite to better manage quality, maintain consistent colour standards, and improve turnaround times for customers across all market segments. These capabilities further differentiate Packrite as the one-stop, premium packaging manufacturer in both existing and evolving markets.
The Rapida 164 is engineered as a digital/offset process with ultra-fast make-ready with the latest digital automation. By utilising fully automatic inline grey-balance-control and 7-colour expanded gamut, the press autonomously measures and controls the dot. The system continuously monitors and adjusts colour throughout the run, ensuring consistent results from the first sheet to the last — a critical requirement for regulated and design-sensitive packaging.
Koenig & Bauer Rapida 164.
“For our customers, consistency is not an option. It is an expectation,” Drummond said. “This press takes subjective colour control out of human hands and puts it into the advanced quality systems integrated into the press. That’s how we achieve repeatability across short runs, long runs and reruns.”
To support the new press, Packrite is investing in a 16,000 sq ft climate-controlled renovation within its 200,000 sq ft High Point manufacturing facility. The dedicated space is designed specifically for Packrite’s new print operation.
16,000 sq ft High Point pressroom expansion.
This renovation aligns with Packrite’s recent Safe Quality Food (SQF) certification, which further strengthens the company to serve safety-critical packaging markets through world-class technology and infrastructure.
“At Packrite, we’ve built our reputation on delivering high-impact graphics and complex structural components while maintaining a safe and quality culture,” says Drummond. “The Rapida 164 is just another piece of the puzzle that ensures we will provide our customers a tangible, competitive advantage.”
