Prepress
Waldo plots business growth with EskoArtwork CDI Spark 5080 and first HD Flexo installation in the UK
Friday 18. September 2009 - Digital flexographic imaging technology will allow Waldo to expand it's offerings to the corrugated and flexible packaging markets
Waldo, the flexo trade shop based in Lincolnshire (UK), has become the first company in the UK to install the EskoArtwork CDI Spark 5080 with HD Flexo technology. The company bought the set-up from Litho Supplies and will use it to streamline its operations and expand its portfolio for the flexible packaging and corrugated market. Regarded as a key trade house in the supply of quality plates to these markets, Waldo will use the EskoArtwork HD Flexo system – which combines 4000dpi optics with unique screening technology – with a number of recognised plate suppliers.
Phil Walmsley, Director at Waldo, sees the investment as integral to the companys growth strategy, particularly in the corrugated market. “We can see the opportunities,” says Walmsley. “The HD Flexo technology significantly improves the quality of the dot on the plate, and can be applied to a wide variety of digital plates. Plus with less re-touching needed, our staff can process more files and the company can handle more volume.”
Waldo works with creatives, designers, brand managers and small to medium printers and produces and supplies plates from a number of suppliers. The new installation will be a big boost as the advantages of the HD Flexo system will ensure Waldo to meet the needs of the end customer: high quality, increased time efficiencies and higher volumes. The HD Flexo system combines high-definition optics with unique screening technology, allowing printers to reproduce the full tonal range of offset. Plus the exceptional dot structure offers sharp detail in text and line art, which is crucial to the packaging and branding designer.
“Businesses invest significant resources in developing their brands, so ensuring brand consistency in print is vital. We already work closely with design teams, advising them on the best way to make sure their creativity translates accurately onto the plate and into print. This latest investment will help them achieve consistency even with the most intricate designs because there is simply noting we cannot achieve with HD Flexo,” explains Walmsley.
From 2500dpi to 4000dpi means more pixels making up the dot. The advantage of this better shaped dot created with HD Flexo is that is does not collect ink on the plate so much and eliminates to need stop for cleaning – resulting in overall longer runs off the same plate and a significant cost saving. In addition, working with the larger EskoArtwork CDI Spark 5080, this means the ability to produce higher volumes.
Waldo plans to initially use the HD Flexo system in cooperation with four plate suppliers. The capacity of the EskoArtwork CDI 5080 and the sophistication of the HD Flexo system allows the company to re-visit the corrugated market and look for possible business opportunities in the paper sack market. Waldo has discussed the new setup with its existing customer base and prospective customers and noticed a high level of interest.
Walmsley concludes: “EskoArtwork is continually developing innovative solutions and is our preferred technology partner. The HD Flexo system will improve the quality of our plates and increase volume. Plus it will help us move into new markets and develop new business opportunities, while at the same time provide an even better service to our existing customers.”