Making the Investment for Flexo Prepress
Just a few months ago, The Label Printers, Aurora, IL, USA, made the decision to invest in digital prepress technology and plates. According to Joe Kane, prepress manager at The Label Printers, the decision was a long time coming.
A screenshot of Esko Studio“We had been looking into digital for more than five years. At first it was the attraction of the quality and consistency that it offered. But that wasn’t quite enough to justify the large expense of switching,” he says. “Then, with the added benefit of thermal processing reducing the cycle time of the platemaking process, things became much more attractive.”
Despite the attraction to digital prepress and plates, The Label Printers still weren’t yet ready to make the investment. “It wasn’t until we really started in the LIFE (Label Initiative for the Environment) program through TLMI (Tag and Label Manufacturers Institute) that all the environmental benefits really tipped the scale,” says Kane. “Being able to remove all of the chemicals and solvents used in the platemaking process, as well as increasing the quality and doing it faster, made all the difference.”
The company decided to invest in Esko hardware and software technology, which Kane says was the right decision. “I want to give especially high marks to all of their training staff and phone support team. They have all been instrumental in making the transition as smooth as possible.”
Kane says that the company has seen two significant changes in their printing process and quality since investing in digital. “One huge factor is that if there’s an issue on press, we no longer have to lose half a day remaking plates,” he says. “With the faster turnaround time, we are able to be up and running again in under an hour.”
Kane adds: “With the addition of a new color proofer that was calibrated at the same time the new plates were, we are significantly more accurate and predictable when it comes to color.”
From Internet
16 April, 2012
