Nine new CtP systems from Screen since PacPrint points to an air of renewed confidence emerging in the industry.
- Robert Malliotis, director, Signature Labels
Screen has handled a number directly and worked extensively their network of plate partners and resellers, including Fujifilm, Ferag and Jet Technologies, to service the newly revitalised market. recent installs cover all formats from B2, to B1 and even a VLF unit. A move to upgrade CtP facilities has been observed across the board, as well as businesses exploring new ways to cut back on energy consumption and chemical use.
Signature Labels is one such company. The award-winning South Australia-based business picked up a PlateRite FX870 MkII flexo CtP through Screen reseller Jet Technologies off their stand at PacPrint.
Robert Malliotis, director and owner of Signature Labels, explains: “We were looking for quality, consistency, speed and cleanliness. Not having to worry about chemicals, not buying film, all those things are a big plus.”
Signature Labels has also benefited from the PlateRite's larger size, being able to run up a full set of plates in one hit, representing a considerable saving to the family-fun business. Malliotis was also keen to praise what he considers an overall sharper printing dot on the new plates.
Peter Scott, managing director, Dainippon Screen Australia, said, “The recent surge in installations shows that confidence is returning to the industry. Prepress times have to be short these days and five-year-old technology does not cut it in a busy print shop where short runs on multi-colour perfecting presses place high demands on plate production.”
According the Scott, it is this need for platemaking speeds to match up with faster automated presses that has spurred on the surge. Screen reports other installs at Border Watch in Mount Gambier, a Ferag customer, a VLF PlateRite 24000 order to a Fujifilm customer, four PlateRite 4300s in B2 format to Fujifilm New Zealand for their plate customers, all running thermal plates.
Peter Scott continues: “Another 4300 went to Foote & Playstead of Launceston, Tasmania – this was a direct sale from Screen. We have quoted on numerous other CtP solutions, notably the new Plate Rite HD8900 rangewhich are incredibly fast for B1 plates – 67 plates an hour for the ‘Z’ model – and the most energy-efficient CtP setters available.”
Since the arrival of CtP in the mid 1990s, Screen now claims to hold at least 48% of the world B1 CtP market.