Method for quantifying blanket performance and printing press

A method for determining blanket performance during operation of a printing press, the printing press including a plate cylinder having a printing plate transferring an image to a blanket on a blanket cylinder for printing on a substrate, the method comprising the steps of:

• determining an acceptable range of nip force between a plate cylinder and a blanket cylinder in a printing unit;
• calculating with a processor, the nip force (Fp) between the plate cylinder and blanket cylinder, wherein the nip force is calculated as a function of the plate radius (rp), printing plate width (W), on impression torque (Ton) and off impression torque (Toff);
• and
• controlling the printing press using the calculated nip force, wherein said controlling includes printing images on the substrate if the calculated nip force is within the acceptable range and further includes one or more of:
• stopping the press if the calculated nip force is outside of the acceptable range,
• displaying a fault message if the calculated nip force is outside of the acceptable range, and throwing off the first plate cylinder and first blanket cylinder if the nip force is outside the acceptable range.