High-performance cores for high-speed print lines: Why it matters

For printers working at high speeds, core consistency is essential. While attention in the print and packing industry often focuses on presses, inks, and substrates – cores provide the durability and protection for your products. 

• Low-quality cores in print lines can cause costly issues for businesses. 

• High-performance, precise cores are critical to optimising operational efficiency. 

• Stell cores provide the durability and precision high-speed print lines need. 

At Stell, we manufacture our cores to meet the exact requirements to meet our customer’s needs. In this blog we share our insight, built over 150 years of manufacturing trusted cardboard cores for our customers, into the key issues facing print industry business, which are caused by poor-quality cardboard cores. 

1. Precision drives performance

In high-speed environments, even a fraction of a millimetre can make the difference between a smooth run and costly downtime. We understand that a deviation of even ±0.2mm in internal diameter (ID) or wall thickness can create web misalignment, tracking issues, and uneven tension in the print run. This results in a reduced print quality, waste, and slower throughput. Our team can produce the consistent cores your business needs to ensure that rolls unwind evenly and maintain correct web tracking throughout the print run, keeping your operation running smoothly. 

2. Protecting equipment 

Vibration, excessive wear, or damage to roller bearings can be caused by poor-quality cores. High-speed presses are precision machines, and they rely on equally precise cores to keep mechanical stress to a minimum. When cores meet tight tolerances, they help protect your equipment from unnecessary strain, extending the life of your assets and avoiding unplanned maintenance costs. 

At Stell we offer precise diameters and wall thickness specifications, according to your business’ custom requirements. We also carry out testing on our cores, to maintain their mechanical strength properties, as part of our quality standards, before they are sent to our customers.  

3. Minimising waste

Inconsistent cores often lead to roll defects, from telescoping and crushed edges to premature web breaks. Each defect represents wasted materials, ink, and press time. Over long periods, these inefficiencies can contribute to profitability losses. High-quality, consistent cores keep waste to a minimum, ensuring you’re getting the most from every roll you run, which is why at Stell we maintain our standards and rigorous quality checks to ensure every core is exactly up to spec.  

4. Speed without compromise

Modern print lines are engineered for speed. Running at over 400 metres per minute doesn’t leave much margin for error. If the core isn’t consistent, the faster the press runs, and the bigger the problems become, from registration drift to tension loss.  

Stell offers cores from 8mm to 254mm ID, wall thickness from 1.5mm to 17mm, and cut lengths to any size, ensuring your print lines can run at optimal speed without sacrificing quality or risking production halts. 

5. Building reliability

Choosing a core supplier who can deliver the same specification every time is critical. At Stell, we work to strict manufacturing tolerances, rigorous quality checks, and tailored specifications for each customer. This ensures that whether you’re running 5,000 or 50,000 metres, your cores will perform flawlessly from start to finish. 

Why choose Stell? 

Consistent cores provide optimal performance for your business. They protect your investment, improve your output, and give you one less thing to worry about in a high-pressure production environment. 

If you’re looking for dependable, precision-made cores for high-speed printing, contact us today.