The SID pursues research and development by order of third parties. We work especially for small and medium-size enterprises.

We are also integrated in market-preparing industrial research and pursue technology transfer. As sponsors function the federal ministries and the federal states.

We also take part in joint industrial research projects which are supported by the various trade-specific associations like VDMA (German Engineering Federation), FGD (Printing Machine Research Association), and bvdm (German Print & Media Association).

We work both on technological problems of the graphic arts industry and technical solutions for the graphic arts machine manufacturers.


Current research priorities

Research and development:

• Drying of ink and varnish layers
• Working accuracy of graphic arts machines
• Image recognition and processing
• Development of measuring equipment
• Emission of graphic arts machines
• Interaction of ink and paper in offset printing

• Pre-press, printing, print finishing
• Quality and environment management consulting
• Handbook "Printing and Advertising"
• Trade-specific internet portal with emphasis on digital workflow and branch-related marketing
• Expert opinions by publicly appointed experts
• Printing machine inspections according to bvdm/FOGRA and Ifra (bvdm: German Print & Media Association; FOGRA: Munich Print Research Association)

Our partners

We work together with the following associations:

• Bund Deutscher Verpackungsingenieure (BVDI) (Association of German Packaging Engineers)
• Bundesverband Druck und Medien - bvdm e. V. (Reg. German Print & Media Association)
• Forschungsgesellschaft Druckmaschinen (FGD) e. V. (Reg. Printing Machine Research Association) im Verband Deutscher Maschinen- und Anlagenbau (VDMA) e. V. (in the German Engineering Federation)
• FOGRA Forschungsgesellschaft Druck e. V. (Printing Research Association)
• INCA-FIEJ Research Association (Ifra)
• Institut für rationale Unternehmensführung in der Druckindustrie (IRD) e. V. (Institute for the rational management of graphic arts enterprises)
• International Association of Research Organisations for the Printing, Information and Communications Industries (IARIGAI)
• Verband Innovativer Unternehmen (VIU) e. V. (Association of innovative Enterprises)
• Berufsgenossenschaft Druck- und Papierverarbeitung (Trade Association of the Printing and Paper Converting Industry)