CTP - Computer to Plate
Screen (USA) Introduces PlateRite FX1524 CTP System and Halftone Dots for Flexo and Letterpress Printing
Tuesday 28. October 2008 - To meet the increasingly diverse needs of its customers, Screen has added a new, large-format flexo CTP recorder to the PlateRite family. At Graph Expo 2008, Screen (USA) will launch the PlateRite FX1524 for use in the North American package printing market.
The PlateRite FX1524 streamlines processing and improves print quality for a wide range of flexo printing applications, including labels, flexible packages, cartons and corrugated cardboard packages. Equipped with an innovative high-output exposure head, this advanced CTP system handles flexo plates, letterpress plates and thermal ablative film up to 42 x 60 inches.
The PlateRite FX1524 is compatible with plates from a range of manufacturers. What’s more, the easy-loading mechanism securely mounts large-size flexo plates, increasing prepress efficiency and productivity.
The PlateRite FX1524 features a 64-channel laser imaging head and newly developed screening technology. It can image at resolutions of 2,400 dpi or 2,540 dpi. A high-resolution option enables imaging at 4,000 dpi. The platesetter images flexo plates at a maximum speed of 4 square meters (43.05 square feet) per hour.
Stabydot halftone dots
With the PlateRite FX1524, Screen introduces Stabydot new halftone dots developed especially for flexo and letterpress printing. Stabydot can be used to create highlights that are optimized for platemaking and printing.
In contrast to the conventional halftone dot made up of a single dot, Stabydot features a minimum halftone dot size of several dots. This novel approach applies a reinforcing pattern to the base halftone dot shape. This makes relief patterns in the highlight areas more consistent. The minimum halftone dot shape can be selected from three available types to produce the required gradations, from extreme highlights to the darkest shadows.
PageFit Flexo layout software
PageFit Flexo efficiently positions screened 1-bit TIFF data on the resin plate. Layout can be carried out automatically or using a drag-and-drop method. Fine adjustments can be made to the positioning of data after the initial positioning is complete. The operator can check the positioning on screen in real time, which reduces waste during platemaking by preventing the output of incorrect plates.
To learn more about the PlateRite FX1524, visit booth #3808 at Graph Expo 2008, October 26-29 at Chicago’s McCormick Place.