Packaging
Screen (USA) Delivers Important New Package Printing Technologies
Monday 22. November 2010 - Screen (USA) has launched a comprehensive program to improve performance for flexographic printers across all markets, including flexible packaging, corrugated, bag and specialty, tag and label printing, as well as commercial printers, in-plant operations and companies looking to diversify and add services and value to their print production offering.
Screens turnkey Packaging Solution brings together high-resolution output devices, sophisticated workflow management tools, advanced screening technology and a full complement of proofing software and hardware.
“This new packaging initiative underscores Screens commitment to becoming a leading manufacturer of prepress and printing equipment for the flexo and letterpress industries,” said Jeff Skolnik, regional sales manager for the flexographic market. “The Packaging Solution enhances output quality, productivity and versatility. Printing companies can capitalize on many new efficiencies throughout their operations to expand within the rapidly changing and lucrative packaging printing market.”
Latest flexo CTP technology
As the global leader in thermal CTP recorders for offset printing applications, Screen built upon the speed, precision and reliability of the PlateRite platform to engineer its FX line of flexo and letterpress platesetters.
The PlateRite FX870 debuted in 2006 for the narrow-web flexo market. The PlateRite FX870 outputs flexo digital plates, letterpress digital plates and thermal ablative film. An option for imaging thermal offset plates also is available. Capable of imaging plates up to 30 x 34.2 inches, the platesetter enables consistently high-quality printing of tags, labels, plastic bags and specialty materials.
The second-generation PlateRite FX870II, introduced in 2009, became the worlds first flexo CTP device to feature a maximum output resolution of 4,800 dpi in the standard configuration.
In 2008, Screen launched the large-format PlateRite FX1524. The platesetter streamlines processing of flexo plates, letterpress plates and thermal ablative film up to 42 x 60 inches, perfect for flexible packages, folding cartons and corrugated cardboard packages.
At Graph Expo 2010, Screen unveiled the PlateRite FX1200, a new platesetter for the mid-web market. The PlateRite FX1200 handles flexo plates, letterpress plates and thermal ablative film up to 42 x 47.2 inches.
The PlateRite FX series images the black mask layer of resin plates directly, eliminating the need for film and other intermediate processing. At 4 square meters (43.75 square feet) per hour, the PlateRite FX series boasts unmatched output speed. Users enjoy outstanding print quality with high line screens (200 lpi) and a choice of 2,400 dpi, 2,540 dpi and 4,800 dpi output resolutions. No other platesetter manufacturer offers 4,800 dpi resolution as standard.
But that is only part of what makes the PlateRite FX so special. The innovative high-output exposure head is based on the multi-channel laser design in Screens offset CTP recorders. The laser diode is long-lived, inexpensive to operate and a key reason why Screen CTP units leader the industry in reliability. An integrated diagnostics system signals any diodes potential failure, so preventive actions can be taken. If a laser fails, the PlateRite FX continues working with negligible impact on speed and no loss of quality thanks to the built-in redundancy of the units dual diode banks.
The PlateRite FX series is compatible with digital plates from DuPont, Flint Group (BASF), Toray, McDermid and Asahi-Kasei. The exclusive push-clamp feature simplifies plate loading. The easy-loading mechanism securely mounts plates without any extra handling or masking of the drum, increasing prepress efficiency.
Powerful front end
Screen workflow automation takes packaging printing to a whole new level. Trueflow SE Rite ver. 7.2 Flexible Layout Edition, incorporating Adobe PDF Print Engine 2, integrates everything from the automated handling of incoming jobs to prepress production, proofing and output to different digital devices. The Trueflow SE workflow unifies data and process management under a single system, immediately before printing begins. Connectivity through JDF allows for a complete workflow solution with MIS, packaging design plug-ins for Adobe Illustrator, web-to-print and communication to a complete array of solutions for any printer wishing to automate production processes in a scalable and affordable manner.
Advanced screening methods
Trueflow SE allows printers to select the right screening method to achieve the best results for flexo and letterpress printing, including AM screening, hybrid AM/FM screening and multi-screening. Print applications that have given printers problems in the past benefit from fine detail, high contrast and photo-realistic product images that jump off the sheet.
AM screening generates halftone dots separated by a fixed distance and arranged in a regular pattern. Varying the dot size creates areas of higher and lower color density. AM screening is easy to print, and the color is highly consistent.
Flexo Dot 4800 is a new hybrid method developed specifically for flexo and letterpress printing using Screens 4,800 dpi resolution imaging technology. Extremely small, precise halftone dots form the output image. In addition, Flexo Dot 4800 applies a reinforcing pattern to the base halftone dot shape. This produces more consistent relief patterns and natural-looking gradations in highlight areas while maintaining superior density. At the same time, Flexo Dot 4800 reduces artifacts in diagonal lines and curves, and dramatically improves the reproduction of fine lines. Flexo Dot 4800 is implemented in Trueflow SE Rite ver 7.2 Flexible Layout Edition.
Multi-screening utilizes the optimal screening method for each object being printed. It is particularly useful when pages contain such disparate elements as images, text, keylines, patterned backgrounds and tints.
Truepress Jet1600UV-F a short-run production solution
Digital color printing is well established in the packaging industry for printing full-color and spot-color labels for consumer products, folding cartons and flexible packaging. Printing companies are discovering that the Truepress Jet1600UV-F wide-format inkjet printing system provides an affordable solution when the length of runs precludes printing on traditional presses. The minimal setup and elimination of plates make the Truepress Jet1600UV-F a sustainable choice as well.
As a short-run press, the Truepress Jet1600UV-F excels at producing proofs, prototypes and extremely limited runs. The Truepress Jet1600UV-F prints images as wide as 63 inches and as long as 122 inches. It prints at speeds up to 140 square feet per hour on various substrates. The flatbed table features four individual vacuum zones capable of holding virtually any material up to 1.96 inches thick securely in place with perfect register.
Remote proofing and approval
Riteapprove SE, an Internet-enabled automation tool for Trueflow SE, adds online job submission, proofing and approval to the production process. Riteapprove SE shortens the time from prepress to press and improves customer satisfaction. Customers can communicate their job requirements directly into the production environment anytime, anywhere, using the web browser from any computer.
Automatic job integration
Screen (USA) partners with reliable third-party software and hardware vendors on complementary systems for a complete production solution. The ORIS Color Tuner // Web professional contract proofing system from CGS Publishing Technologies International combines color management, high-speed output and proofing-specific media. It includes setup wizards, automatic color matching and automatic printer calibration, all within a web-based environment that provides color-matched job control and output anywhere in the world.
The Epson Stylus Pro WT7900 inkjet proofer provides midsize and smaller printing operations with hard-copy proofs for flexography applications.