CTP - Computer to Plate

KODAK PF-N Non Process Plates Help Newspaper Printers Increase Efficiency, Reduce Costs

Monday 16. March 2009 - Since installing thermal CTP platesetters and workflow software from Kodak, newspaper customers have experienced benefits beyond their expectations.

Newspaper printers incorporating solutions such as KODAK PF-N Non Process Plates and KODAK PRINERGY Workflow Software are realizing significant cost savings, as well as improved efficiency and image quality.

Alana Schweitzer, Publisher of Battlefords Publishing Ltd. News Optimist of North Battleford, Saskatchewan purchased a digital solution from Kodak to increase automation and save on labor and energy usage costs. The solution consists of the KODAK TRENDSETTER NEWS 70 Thermal Platesetter with KODAK PF-N Non Process Plates, KODAK PRINERGY EVO Workflow, and KODAK PREPS Plus Imposition Software.

“By eliminating chemicals and film, our process is more economical, more environmentally friendly, and more efficient,” said Schweitzer. “We’ve cut our developing and imaging time in half and the quality is dramatically improved. We’re using less ink and seeing much tighter registration.”

The potential of reduced operating costs, improved efficiency and greater image quality led Jeff Phillips, Operations Manager at San Diego Daily Transcript to invest in KODAK TRENDSETTER NEWS 50 Platesetters with KODAK PF-N Non Process Plates, KODAK PREPS Imposition Software, KODAK PRINERGY EVO Workflow and KODAK STACCATO Screening.

“Compared to a lot of operations, we have a smaller facility and more modest budget. We were intrigued by the compact footprint and cost effectiveness of the solutions from Kodak, and are confident they will give us the robust performance we require,” said Phillips. “I’m sure there are a lot of similar newspapers that could benefit from using these solutions.”

Anticipating an installation this month, Phillips is confident that the addition of KODAK PF-N Non Process Plates will create a significant reduction in operating costs.

“CTP is substantially less expensive and more efficient than our previous operation, and should save us $36,000 a year,” said Phillips. “We’re eliminating film and developer, and by eliminating steps in the process, we’re reducing necessary production time.”

Phillips was impressed with the noticeable difference in image quality visible on test runs, and also anticipates a decline in the environmental impact of the publication’s operations.

“It will be nice to do away with the potential hazards, and we’re expecting to cut ink usage 10 to 20 percent with STACCATO Screening,” said Phillips.

The Union Democrat in Sonora, California received Best of Show honors in the Inland Press Association’s 2009 Print Quality Competition for black-and-white reproduction in the under 15,000 circulation print category. The newspaper also earned Runner-up honors for color reproduction in the same category. Rick Quillen, Operations Manager for The Union Democrat, attributes much of the publication’s success in image quality to working with KODAK Solutions.

“We had performance issues with our previous equipment and when we moved in October of 2007, we converted to KODAK Solutions,” said Quillen. “We purchased CTP equipment and our process has been much better with Kodak’s plates. The new system also really made a difference in the quality of the photos and overall color quality. We are very pleased to be recognized with this award.”

The Union Democrat has also seen cost savings and improved efficiency as a result of incorporating KODAK TRENDSETTER NEWS 50 Platesetters with KODAK PF-N Non Process Plates and KODAK PRINERGY EVO Workflow into its operations.

“We’ve had a problem-free experience with Kodak, and to have that kind of record is really unbelievable,” said Quillen.

Western Oregon Web Press purchased two KODAK TRENDSETTER NEWS 50 Platesetters with KODAK NS Digital Newspaper Plates, as well as KODAK PRINERGY EVO Workflow Software, KODAK PREPS Imposition Software and KODAK STACCATO Screening. According to Marty Leopard, IT Manager at Western Oregon Web Press—a newspaper printer in Albany, Oregon—Kodak’s products delivered more than anticipated.

“We’ve seen a reduction in our output error, increased quality and speed of throughput, and greater consistency. All the things Kodak said PRINERGY EVO Workflow would deliver – it’s done and more,” said Leopard.

The addition of STACCATO Screening produced results that have caught the attention of others as well. “We’ve really dialed up our color output, and our customers have noticed that the STACCATO Screening has provided higher quality than dot screening,” said Leopard. “We’re learning more about the benefits the more we get into it.”

Its success with KODAK Unified Workflow Solutions over the past five years encouraged Honolulu Advertiser Prepress Manager Allan Six to choose the KODAK NEWSMANAGER Workflow System. The Honolulu Advertiser, a Gannett-owned newspaper, worked with Kodak five years ago to switch from film processing to CTP systems, which helped it achieve much greater automation.

With the KODAK NEWSMANAGER Workflow System, Six and his team anticipate a lot more flexibility when working with files across other systems within their organization.

“We appreciate that PDF workflow gives us one standard we can go to customers with,” said Six, who is looking to enhance the great success he’s had already with KODAK PRINERGY CONNECT Workflow. “Instead of receiving native files, we’re off to the races.”

The Honolulu Advertiser, a daily publication with circulation of more than 140,000, will now be using multiple KODAK Solutions in its prepress operations.

“I really like the software design of PRINERGY Workflow. We require a lot of local customization, but with NEWSMANAGER Workflow System, we’ll be able to be more self-sufficient,” said Six.