Hard Rollers for Offset Presses
Hard rollers — chrome, steel, and Rilsan-covered — are precision-ground components that maintain tight tolerances through millions of impressions. Unlike rubber rollers, hard rollers don’t wear in the same way, but they can be damaged by improper cleaning, crash stops, or worn bearings. MPS sources replacement and exchange hard rollers for Heidelberg and other major press brands.
Chrome and Steel Rollers
Chrome and steel rollers serve as ink and dampening distributors, providing the hard surface that rubber form rollers run against. A worn or damaged chrome roller will cause streaking and uneven ink distribution that’s often misdiagnosed as a roller durometer or pressure problem. We can source replacement chrome and steel rollers for Heidelberg SM and XL series presses.
Anilox Rollers
Anilox rollers are used in UV coating units and some specialty ink systems, delivering a metered, controlled film to the applicator. Cell volume and line screen are matched to the application — a worn or plugged anilox roller causes inconsistent coverage. We stock and source anilox rollers for common press and coater configurations.
Rilsan Ink Distributor Rollers
Rilsan is a high-performance polyamide (nylon) polymer coating that is thermally fused to a roller’s surface, creating a tough, durable layer that resists both physical wear and chemical corrosion. Press manufacturers including Heidelberg, KBA, Man Roland, Goss, and Komori specify Rilsan-coated rollers in ink distributor positions where a hard, dimensionally stable surface is required for precise ink metering and transfer. Unlike rubber rollers, Rilsan-coated rollers maintain their geometry over time and are not affected by ink solvents or cleaning chemicals. We stock Rilsan ink distributor rollers for Heidelberg and other major press platforms — contact us with your press model and roller position for availability and pricing.
Roller Identification
Hard rollers are specified by diameter, face length, journal diameter, and surface finish. If you have a worn roller and need a replacement, the part number is typically stamped on the journal end. Bring us the part number or your press model and roller position and we’ll identify the correct specification.
Contact Us
Call 866-677-3344 or admin@mpspress.com with your press model and roller position. We’ll confirm availability, pricing, and lead time — most in-stock hard rollers ship within 1–3 business days.