Award-winning south-western Sydney packaging printer Mipa Printing turned to a combination of the latest Kodak technology to upgrade its pre-press operation.
In a deal announced at PacPrint, Mipa Printing has expanded its pre-press department with a Kodak Achieve T800 Platesetter, Sonora XP Process Free Plates, and Prinergy Evo Workflow technology.
“We were always led to believe that a CTP system would not be viable for a small operation like ours and it would be too hard and expensive for us to operate," says Mipa Printing director Carsten Michelmann. "That notion was dispelled after we met with Kodak. They showed us how moving to CtP and process free plates, backed by an integrated workflow program, could seamlessly fit into our operation and immediately deliver productivity gains and cost savings.”
Luke Wooldridge, Kodak sales manager NSW, print systems division, says the combination of technology is designed to give Mipa Printing a boost to productivity, improve sustainability while cutting costs and position the firm for further growth.
The family run business, which has been operating since 1978, has been making analog plates in-house for over two decades. Over the years, the company considered moving to a CtP system but was apprehensive about making the switch.
“We headed into the transition to process free with some trepidation, but the professional support team at Kodak was incredible," Michelmann says. "They worked with us every step of the way as we set up this new system. We are very excited about our future. It’s wonderful to be in full control of our entire prepress operation. The time savings, flexibility and independence are fantastic.”
Sonora XP Process Free Plates - used by over 3,200 printers around the world - will allow Mipa Printing to save on chemistry, water, processor maintenance and chemistry disposal, as well as reduce the significant cost of processing variability, says Wooldridge.
"The Achieve Platesetter brings high-quality imaging at an affordable price. The result is that Mipa can deliver quick turnarounds while maintaining a high-quality product for their customers. Kodak’s Prinergy Evo Workflow technology and Kodak Preps Imposition Software are tightly integrated to ensure Mipa Printing produces faster, more accurate impositions that maximize press sheet usage."
Kodak provides hardware, software, consumables and services to customers in graphic arts, commercial print, publishing, packaging, electronic displays, entertainment and commercial films, and consumer products markets.