Pre-Press - Computer-to-plate

A highlight of new computer-to-plate solutions from Agfa, Fujifilm, Glunz & Jensen, Heidelberg, Kodak, Mitsubishi Imaging, Screen (USA), Presstek and Xanté.

JUDGING BY the number of in-plant managers walking the Graph Expo show floor last month, there are quite a few in-plants itching to leave the recession behind and get busy adding equipment. The show gave them plenty to ogle, too, particularly in the inkjet arena.

At the beginning of 2011, the in-plant at U.K.-based University of Essex, in Wivenhoe Park, rebranded itself as Print Essex. The 13-employee shop then strategically targeted a broader range of customers including those in the commercial market.

The definition of bittersweet, from a printer's perspective, is saying goodbye to a timeless but antiquated craft in favor of a more automated, and precise, process driven by computer software.

Matichon Company of Thailand uses KODAK TRENDSETTER 800 Platesetters, KODAK THERMALNEWS GOLD Digital Plates for newspaper printing and KODAK ELECTRA XD Plates for commercial printing. The results are high-quality output, greater efficiency and profitability, and a partnership with Kodak that has one of Thailand's leading newspaper, magazine and book printers poised for growth.

The University of Arkansas recently added a Kodak Magnus 800 CTP system, Heidelberg’s Prinect workflow and an HP Designjet Z2100 inkjet proofer, which was color profiled to the in-plant’s five-color, 20x28˝ Komori.

Thairath Daily, one of Thailand's most widely read newspapers, uses KODAK Generation News Platesetters and Computer to Plate Solutions including digital printing plates from Kodak to differentiate themselves in the market and grow their business.

The Dimension Pro family of platesetters provides high performance, ease of use and low cost of operation. The Dimension Pro Series includes the 4-page Dimension Pro 400 Series and the 8-page Dimension 800 Series. These highly productive platesetters range in production speeds from 15 to 50 plates per hour.

A Presstek Vector FL52 thermal platesetter and Presstek Freedom Pro chemistry-free plates provide the short-run, small format (52 cm and under) printer with a unique metal platemaking solution for higher productivity, cleaner operation and lower materials and production costs.

The KODAK TRENDSETTER NEWS Platesetter offers reliable, thermal plate making at an affordable price for newspaper printers. This demo features KODAK PF-N Non Process Plates, available in the United States and Canada, giving printers high-quality, chemistry-free plate making so they can reduce costs and environmental impact. The new design of the platesetter includes a significantly smaller footprint, the latest hardware and software, and several automation options. Optimal workflow connectivity with KODAK NEWSMANAGER and PRINERGY EVO Workflow Systems. Thermal KODAK SQUARESPOT Imaging Technology is standard on every platesetter, providing the stability necessary for efficient plate making and high-quality newspaper printing.