CTP - Computer to Plate
Yorke Peninsula Country Times makes transition to Agfa chemistry-free CTP and Arkitex workflow
Thursday 03. December 2009 - South Australian newspaper, the Yorke Peninsula Country Times (YPCT), is moving ahead with the times making the transition from analogue to digital plate production.
The Agfa chemistry-free CTP solution is the first of its kind to be installed in Australia and comprises the Advantage N-SA CTP, a VCF85 clean-out unit and an Arkitex Essentials workflow.
All plate output is to Agfa’s new N92-VCF chemistry-free plate meaning the growing newspaper is able to eliminate the cost of chemicals and reduce its impact on the environment.
YPCT is a family run business founded in 1865 and one of the few remaining independently owned newspapers in SA.
This latest installation has transformed production of the newspaper. Arkitex has given YPCT advanced automation and integration capabilities, enabling the company to speed up the printing process, provide fast turnaround to its customers and offer enhanced quality.
In addition to CTP, the business is installing two Goss colour towers, which will allow the newspaper to be printed with more colour.
Managing Editor of YPCT, Michael Ellis, said that choosing the Agfa solution was easy.
“We have been Agfa customers through Graphic Arts Supplies in Adelaide for quite a few years now and have always found them to be fantastic to deal with.
“We made the decision to expand our press line with two Goss towers and then needed to look at our plate making. The Agfa machine, the after sales service and the chemical free plates were the perfect match for us,” Mr Ellis said.
Installing the Arkitex workflow prior to the CTP has given staff time to adjust from the manual workflow procedure that was previously in place.
“The transition from the manual image setting workflow to the automated CTP workflow has been relatively pain free. The training we received from David Byrne (Newspapers Applications Specialist) was first class, as has been the follow up service given to us by Agfa,” YPCT Production Manager Ian Shaw said.
“I am really looking forward to having the two Goss towers up and running, because it will be then when we will benefit from the Arkitex Workflow and the speed of plate making delivered by the Advantage CTP.”
Agfa’s Oceania Newspaper Manager, Steve Marshall, explained that with N92-VCF, the newspaper industry can now significantly reduce their costs.
“Beyond the savings and environmental benefits, violet chemistry free (VCF) offers a far more consistent plate by removing all the processing variables of plate making,” he said.
“The N92-VCF plates produce an exceptionally strong image contrast and there’s absolutely no on-press contamination.”