Creo solutions for label and narrow web printers

ThermoFlex 2630 flexo CTP device

Creo showcased the latest prepress solutions for tag and label, and narrow web trade shops and converters at Labelexpo Americas 2002. Creo solutions were demonstrated live, including the ThermoFlex 2630 flexo CTP device, the Brisque Pack and Prinergy Powerpack packaging workflows, and the Synapse InSite Internet portal into prepress.

“The ThermoFlex 2630 CTP device was developed and priced to meet the needs of the tag and label and narrow web market,” says Mark Vanover, marketing director of packaging for Creo.

ThermoFlex CTP devices are equipped with 830nm laser thermal imaging and feature fast, easy load/unload operation, which reduces material damage and dramatically improves productivity. A wide range of media types, sizes and thicknesses is accommodated, and adjustments are not required when changing plate sizes, so operators can quickly move from job to job without slowing production. Total throughput is the best in the industry and imaging speed is consistent independent of plate thickness.

Streamlining Production

Creo showcased two packaging workflows at Labelexpo. Both systems — the Brisque Pack and the Prinergy Powerpack workflows — can drive the ThermoFlex 2630 device. Brisque Pack, the CT/LW packaging workflow solution, offers step-and-repeat options, drives proofing and plate imaging devices and includes specialized flexo screening and distortion capabilities.

Prinergy Powerpack workflow is the PDF-based workflow management system for packaging that streamlines and organizes tag and label prepress production, including 1-up processing, step-and-repeat layouts, proofing and CTF or CTP imaging.

The new version of Prinergy Powerpack, 2.1, includes enhanced screening and scaling features for flexographic trade shops or converters. It also integrates Pandora 1.5, the packaging and label step-and-repeat solution that helps printers streamline their workflow. This powerful step-and-repeat program and nesting application from ScenicSoft fully supports PDF and is designed to automatically optimize the press sheet surface.

Last month Creo announced its intention to acquire ScenicSoft, a development that will enhance the working relationship of the software teams.
Pandora 2.0, the latest version released this month, can be fully integrated into both the Prinergy Powerpack and Brisque Pack workflows. Pandora 2.0 includes new features such as support for Job Definition Format (JDF), editable non-rectangular bleed paths automatically derived from CAD die line information, bleed overlap detection with advanced, easy-to-use tools for automatic overlap correction, die-station ordering with fully automated placement of die-station number marks, and die-mirroring for the creation of double-sided layouts.

Online Access for Print Buyers

All users of Prinergy Powerpack and Brisque Pack workflows can access the power of the Synapse InSite Internet tools. The Synapse InSite portal into prepress streamlines job submission, job-status tracking, and enables on-line collaboration and remote proofing or approval of jobs or job elements.

It provides the trade shop or converter’s customers with secure and controlled web access to their print jobs and allows them to upload and download jobs and job data; proof online with users located elsewhere and collaborate simultaneously. They can also make annotations or comments, approve or reject 1-ups, manage information, and access secure job-status information over the World Wide Web using a standard browser.

Both trade shop/converters and their customers benefit from using the Synapse InSite Internet portal as they share and receive up-to-the-minute information virtually anytime, anywhere. The enhanced communications results in fewer errors and remote proofing cuts lead time and costs.



All Creo solutions for tag and label printing are part of Networked Graphic Production, the Creo initiative that integrates people, process, and content—from concept to converting. This initiative is helping to transform package and label printing into a controlled, digital manufacturing process. Networked Graphic Production brings creative professionals, packaging print buyers, trade shops, and converters together and enables each participant to communicate and collaborate in real time.

By bringing print buyers closer to package production and reducing the manual steps in the process, converters will be able to reduce cycle times, minimize errors on press, and deliver quality-printed products faster.

Networked Graphic Production is also helping businesses run more effectively and generate greater profit. When information is readily accessible, production cycles shrink from weeks to days, and days to hours. By integrating the business systems in a printing/converting plant with its prepress production systems, information can be instantly exchanged between the package-production management system and Management Information Systems (such as those offered by Printcafe™). This enables greater visibility into the business and helps printers/converter fine-tune their back-office functions such as estimating, billing, inventory management, and scheduling.