Super-ship Queen Mary 2 (QM2) has been equipped with Heidelberg printing machinery complete with stabilising equipment after Cunard commissioned the German manufacturer to design and install prepress, sheetfed and postpress systems that could withstand ocean currents and meet daily printing needs with land-sea logistical service solutions.

Heidelberg worked closely with the ship’s builder in preparation for this specialised installation. The stabilising equipment consists of special mounting brackets and ink dispensing systems that can handle rough seas in the North Atlantic. The QM2 print shop must meet daily print demands with limited space to operate presses and be capable of storing sufficient material between ports-ofcall.

Heidelberg designed a configuration to meet these space and storage needs. Installed aboard QM2 is a two-colour Printmaster QM 46-2 press, a Quicksetter 300 CtP device for polyester plates, a Polar 66 cutter and a Quickfolder T 34. This system allows the print shop on QM2 to produce 1,500 copies of daily programs, 1,700 menus for the three main dining rooms and seven alternate venues, eight-page versions of U.S. and British daily newspapers, and high quality name cards for special occasions.

The system is managed by a two-person crew led by chief printer William Neugebauer and Jared Unterborn. Heidelberg referred to similar plans that it had used for other vessels including Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2), considered by many people as the most recognised passenger vessel in the world. “We are honoured Cunard has chosen Heidelberg once again, and has relied on our tradition and experience of printing outside the press room in unusual and challenging environments,” said Niels Winther, president of Heidelberg USA. “Heidelberg is pleased to have provided two unique printing solutions to two of the most spectacular vessels ever built.” Lawrence Rapp, Cunard’s vice president of hotel operations, praised Heidelberg’s contribution: “Heidelberg understands the difficulties of printing at sea, and we are impressed with the quality and service we have received from its systems aboard Queen Mary 2,” said Rapp.

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