In the Groove

Alternative cylinder considerations include uncoated plastic cylinders that can be directly engraved, which Marino says work best in narrow-web, because deflection hurts wide-web jobs. Steel cylinders with expanding air shafts are another possibility. These can be copper-plated, are lighter and slightly less expensive than steel base cylinders. They won't deflect like plastic, and don't cause injuries linked with nickel sleeves, he adds.