Prepress
First UK Sale of New KODAK GENERATION NEWS System is made at drupa 2008
Saturday 07. June 2008 - UKs Archant Print selects two thermal digital platesetters to increase speed and throughput, and attain ability to print FM Screening using Staccato
Kodak has announced the first UK customer for its new GENERATION NEWS System – Kodaks new thermal computer to plate (CTP) solution. Norwich based media company Archant, the UK’s largest independently-owned regional media business, placed the order for two Z Speed variants on Kodaks booth at drupa – the worlds largest printing exhibition. The investment also comprises the powerful open standards workflow management system, KODAK NEWSMANAGER and KODAK PRINERGY EVO Software, a powerful PDF workflow management tool for high performance newspaper prepress, which enables a flexible, automated workflow from edition plan to plate production.
Archant, which already uses KODAK NEWSETTER Systems and KODAK THERMALNEWS GOLD Digital Plates, made the investment in the advanced GENERATION NEWS Systems in order to increase capacity and maximize throughput of its newly expanded facility.
Archant Prints Managing Director Nick Schiller says, “Recent expansion of our print operation required increased capacity and redundancy, so we took the decision to strengthen our existing technology with Kodaks new GENERATION NEWS Systems.”
The GENERATION NEWS Platesetter has multiple plate cassettes, enabling fast plate loading and unloading of multiple plate sizes. The system can load up to 1600 broadsheet plates or 800 panorama plates while running continuously with no operator intervention. Integrated plate size selection, slip sheet removal, and three point registration are all automated to eliminate errors.
“Archant was the first company in the UK to install Kodaks NEWSETTER System and we are pleased to once again be the first to purchase Kodaks next generation of thermal platesetter”, continues Schiller. “We have always been extremely impressed with thermal technology and this latest investment in Kodaks breakthrough GENERATION NEWS System is set to further strengthen our capabilities as each platesetter will enable us to image 268 broadsheet plates per hour at 391mm width and at 1270 dpi.
“As a high-performance newspaper printer, it is also vital that our entire workflow is managed efficiently. The impressive attributes of KODAK NEWSMANAGER Software will afford us further new productivity enhancing benefits by automating and managing the production of plates, thereby delivering greater versatility and freeing up resources”, he adds.
The GENERATION NEWS Platesetter also features Kodaks unique SQUARESPOT Thermal Imaging Technology, which has been adopted from the commercial environment and provides consistent dot accuracy and tonal stability. This enables Archant to achieve up to 200 lpi and implement KODAK STACCATO Screening Technology.
This is set to deliver further benefits to Archants print operations by enabling higher screen rules; sharper linework; excellent reverse type and legibility. The Thermal technology minimizes early dot wear on the plate and eliminates variation found in visible light and UV systems.
“Now that semi-commercial printing has become an unstoppable trend in future newspaper press investments, this type of solution will become invaluable”, says Jack Knadjian, Vice President Publishing Market Segment, Kodaks Graphic Communications Group. “The GENERATION NEWS System will provide our customers with the quality and stability they require, without having to sacrifice the productivity and plate automation that are demanded for newspaper deadlines. As such, it offers a no compromise solution that combines the best attributes of both visible light and thermal systems.”
The KODAK GENERATION NEWS Systems will be installed at Archants Norwich printing facility, which together with its Ipswich site, prints the majority of the group’s newspaper titles and offers a contract print service. As a whole, the Archant Group employs 2600 people throughout England and has an annual turnover of £194 million.