CTP - Computer to Plate

Inplant switches CtP technology but sticks with Heidelberg

Tuesday 11. March 2014 - Proving that the supplier and its ability to support is as important as the technology, the printing inplant at Draper Tools is switching from a visible light to a thermal Computer to Plate device but sticking with Heidelberg.

The plant has used the Prosetter for ten years and it has been a solid and reliable machine for outputting plates for the company’s two GTO presses, a four- and a two-colour.
“We do need to upgrade and we were keen to stick with Heidelberg again. There are two of us who will run the CtP and we are both very excited about its arrival next month. We will run it with Meta Dimension and Signastation imposition software which seems much easier and more straightforward than anything we have had before,” says Kevin Churchill, print superviser.
Draper Tools uses the inplant to produce primarily promotional work but also some packaging. It means that staff can have a rush job prioritised without the expense that would entail if using an outside supplier. It is the responsiveness, the willingness to come to the rescue that is the inplant’s USP. It likes the same trait in its supplier.
“Heidelberg’s spare parts supply, even when it is coming from Germany, has been shockingly quick. We have rung at 2pm and had a delivery the next morning. I don’t know any other supplier that can do that. They are very efficient,” says Mr Churchill.
Draper Tools has supplied tools for nearly a century. It provides products for a wide range of applications and users from gardeners to engineers. The company, and the printing inplant, is based in Chandler’s Ford in Hampshire.