Chemistry-free in Anchorage

Like the pure, glacier-fed mountain streams flowing down from the nearby Chugach Mountains, the Anchorage School District’s Publication Services group is now chemistry free. Since transitioning to an Agfa Azura TS chemistry-free computer-to-plate system, the in-plant has seen noticeable improvements in both the quality and efficiency of its work.

The CTP system comprises an Avalon N8-20 CTP engine, an Azura C125 processor and Azura TS thermal, negative-working, chemistry-free plates.

“Digital imaging is superior to analog methods. The processing is clean and easy, and plates run perfectly,” says Pam Butcher, Publication Services supervisor. “In particular, we like that the Azura TS plates are environmentally friendly, and our press operators appreciate the quality.”

The Anchorage School District is Alaska’s largest. With approximately 48,000 students, it is among the nation’s 100 largest districts. Publication Services produces all of the district’s printing, including business cards, letterhead, envelopes, saddle-stitched booklets, flyers and brochures.

In addition to Butcher, the in-plant employs a publications specialist and two press operators. Imaged Azura TS plates are used on a trio of Heidelberg presses—a SORD, a KORD and a GTO-52—as well as on a Hamada 700, which is used for envelopes.

With the time it is saving by using the new plates, the Publication Services Group has been able to print additional materials for faculty, staff, students, administration, parents and the Anchorage community.