CTP - Computer to Plate
Excellent Result Acknowledges Technology Leadership
Thursday 19. June 2008 - Punch Graphix today reports that the 2008 edition of drupa, the worlds most prestigious print media trade fair, has been a total success. The Xeikon and basysPrint divisions as well as the newspaper CtP division achieved a strong order intake. The result confirms the markets acceptance of Punch Graphixs technology and its all new line of products.
Punch Graphix realized an order intake of more than 25 million euros, or more than 29.3% of the groups equipment sales reported for 2007, exceeding the targets it had set itself prior to the event.
The Xeikon division showcased its new Xeikon 8000, the Xeikon 6000 with the new 1200 dpi imaging head and the all new Xeikon 3300, the fastest high-resolution digital 5 color label press on the market. These three world premieres for fast, cost-effective, and eco-friendly printing without compromising on quality, were shown in action in integrated real-life applications, printing a high-quality, complex direct mailing (Xeikon 8000), an integrated book-on-demand application (Xeikon 6000) and a selection of the most sophisticated labels on a wide range of substrates (Xeikon 3300), all demonstrating Xeikons true sweet spot: quality and speed in digital printing.
The basysPrint division premiered its new UV-Setters 450 and 850 with laser exposure technology for 4 up and 8 up applications and VLF (very large format) and Super VLF UV Setters with its new MCA automation solution (multi-cassette-automation). Building on the proven technology of its predecessors and the groups track record in the newspaper printing segment with its particularly stringent demands in terms of automation and productivity, this new platform not only continues to offer the outstanding image quality so characteristic of basysPrint but also delivers improved efficiency and considerably higher productivity, while ensuring unrivalled stability and cost efficiency.
“This time round, digital printing has been fully accepted as a mature mainstream technology in the industry, with Xeikon and basysPrint clearly on the radar of prospective buyers,” says Wim Deblauwe, Chief Executive Officer at Punch Graphix, “Most visitors to our stand were hands-on professionals and decision makers, with concrete projects, eager to discuss how digital printing in general and Xeikon in particular could help them turn their business opportunities into a success.”
“As far as UV-CtP is concerned, I believe we have seen the beginning of a trend reversal,” says Paul Willems, Chief Marketing Officer at Punch Graphix, “Both users and suppliers have come to realize the advantages of the use of conventional plates. The print quality is outstanding, there is a definite cost advantage, and the ease of use is an added bonus. These three factors explain why we see an increase in the usage of conventional plates, not only in the emerging markets where printers are making the transition to filmless printing, but in the mature markets as well. UV-CtP is no longer the niche technology it was four years ago, I think we can say that UV-CtP too has grown into a mainstream technology and is even replacing digital plate CtP systems.”
Adding, “We were also pleased to see that the green theme was perceived to be quite an important one. Not because of the hype the print industry may have created, but because brand owners are pushing it. The market is asking for environmentally-responsible print solutions, encouraging or even forcing printers to opt for eco-friendly alternatives. This trend confirms that we have made the right choices and that we should definitely continue our efforts.”
“All in all, this years drupa has been a very positive event for us, attracting well-informed decision makers from all continents,” concludes Wim Deblauwe, “With Xeikon and basysPrint we have been showcasing a whole new range of innovative products. Traditionally, drupa is where most companies announce their innovations. We are proud to say that the innovations we showed, groundbreaking as they are, are without exception available for shipment to our customers today. What they saw is what they get.”