Fall 2005                    return to newsletter contents page

FPPA Member News

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City Stamp Works Receives 2005 American Graphic Design Award

City Stamp Works, Inc. (CSW), a Massachusetts based packaging prepress company, was selected as a winner of the 2005 American Graphic Design Award for their direct mail marketing campaign entitled “Reaching New Heights.”

This campaign was created by CSW targeting a select group of 100 leading consumer product companies. The program’s objective: To introduce the Agfa-Gevaert Group brand and to establish and reinforce AGFA’s recognition as a leading imaging supplier in the packaging marketplace.

The outstanding success of the campaign has enhanced CSW’s presence as a multi-product supplier to the packaging industry. AGFA-branded promotional items, with collateral marketing materials, followed a mountain climbing theme in 4 stages, while providing a historical survey of 20^th Century packaging materials.

The promo item sent at each stage was a high-quality piece of mountaineering gear branded with the AGFA logo. The final phase of the campaign requested response by the recipient to an on-line survey. A full 41% of recipients responded.

NEWS FROM KODAK

New Thermoflex Narrow Flexo-Offset CTP

Hyperflex Resolution Enhancement Software

Kodak Announces New THERMOFLEX Narrow Flexo-Offset CTP

Kodak has announced a new THERMOFLEX Narrow Flexo-Offset computer-to-plate (CTP) device. Based on the industry-proven THERMOFLEX CTP technology platform, this device provides users with the flexibility to image offset plates in addition to flexographic and letterpress plates and film all on one device.

“We’re seeing more and more crossover between flexo and offset printing. Narrow web printers are investing in offset and/or combination presses to expand their service offering, whereas commercial printers are buying flexo presses to move into multi-substrate printing, says Bob Dalton, product manager, Graphic Communications Group (GCG). The greatest benefit of this new device is that businesses can use the same CTP for multiple printing technologies flexo, letterpress, offset, and screen.”

The THERMOFLEX Narrow Flexo-Offset device is ideal for narrow web printers and trade shops seeking high-quality print results on a wide variety of substrates. Industry-leading technologies HYPERFLEX resolution enhancement ready imaging for flexo and STACCATO FM screening software for offset deliver high-impact, repeatable print results, while the reliable THERMOFLEX machine architecture facilitates plate-loading and unloading to minimize plate damage.

An exciting new feature is the availability of a multiple plate configuration. Operators can easily load any plate size up to the maximum 762 x 762 mm (30 x 30 in.) for flexo, and 762 x 744 mm (30 x 29 in.) for offset plates, and have the new option of imaging multiple plates simultaneously. The product s small footprint, easy-to-use TIFF Front End software, and universal workflow connectivity make it an easy fit for any size of plant.

The THERMOFLEX Narrow Flexo-Offset imaging device is expected to be commercially available in early 2006.

Kodak Releases Next Version of Award-Winning HYPERFLEX Resolution Enhancement Software

Kodak has announced the commercial release of its next generation version HYPERFLEX software, the resolution enhancement technology that allows packaging trade shops, printers and converters to produce smaller, more stable dots on flexographic plates and presswork. Recipient of three industry awards for technical innovation, this new version of HYPERFLEX software is designed to improve AM highlights, delivering improved detail and smoother vignettes on all flexo packaging work.

The initial release of HYPERFLEX software in late 2003 was developed to complement KODAK MAXTONE hybrid screening software. The new version introduces the capability to apply HYPERFLEX technology to normal AM screening in addition to hybrid screening achieved with MAXTONE software. The result is that customers can use the technology 100 percent of the time, across all jobs and across multiple applications including flexible bag, direct print corrugated, and high-end tag and label printing.

"To achieve the best possible print results, flexo platemakers and their customers are looking for better reproduction across the entire tonal range," said Steve Miller, Product Manager for packaging workflow solutions, Kodak s Graphic Communications Group. "The greatest benefit of the new version of HYPERFLEX software is that it can now be used on every job, allowing prepress providers to hold smaller highlight dots on all flexo plates."

KODAK THERMOFLEX computer-to-plate devices are equipped with HYPERFLEX-Ready imaging to maximize the full potential of the technology. Flexographic trade shops, converters and label printers that have been beta testing the software and imaging plates on the THERMOFLEX devices are impressed with the results.

"We went from a 6 percent dot to a 4 percent dot on the bump curve. We’re holding a finer dot more consistently on plate, and subsequently on press." Anthony Masotti, prepress manager, New York Label.

"We’re achieving a smaller highlight dot which helps us extend the tonal range and more consistency on press. Also, the smaller dots don’t wear out as fast because they have more support." Kevin Bourquin, technical prepress development manager, Cyber Graphics.

HYPERFLEX software is one of a series of advanced screening technologies for use with the KODAK PRINERGY, PRINERGY POWERPACK and PRINERGY Evo workflow systems. Existing customers may upgrade free of charge to this new and improved version of the software. To optimize quality and efficiency, one day of start-up assistance must be purchased for a Kodak flexo specialist to implement the software, and provide on-site training and assistance.

NEWS FROM SCITEX VISION

CGS Imaging First on Grid

Indy Imaging Races Ahead of Competition

CGS Imaging First On The Grid Thanks To Scitex Vision

CGS Imaging has been racing ahead of its competitors since installing a Scitex Vision XLjet 3+. The company, based in Maumee, Ohio, has been contracted to print sponsorship banners, backdrops and event signage for many recent NASCAR races. The NASCAR Race circuit in the US enjoys massive corporate sponsorships from many international companies and its popularity has grown immensely over the past few years. There are numerous individual races throughout the year held at various motor speedways across the country.

Starting its life as a small graphic design and sign firm in 1986, CGS Imaging has grown spectacularly in terms of customer base and personnel. Branching out into digital media in the early 1990s propelled CGS to the forefront of the printing industry in the Midwest. The company soon became many people’s first stop for specialist services such as truck-side graphics. Today the company offers a wide variety of innovative digital printing solutions for its eclectic client base, including retail displays, full vehicle wraps, backlit displays and photo-realistic banners to mention only a few.

The investment in the Scitex Vision XLjet 3+ has further enhanced the range of services that CGS can offer, and has lead to some high-profile new clients. CGS owner, Chuck Stranc comments, “Following the installation of the Scitex Vision XLjet 3+, we immediately experienced a jump in printing output and, notably, during the first month our revenues doubled. This is mainly due to the fact that we have been able to take on projects that we were never able to entertain previously.”

This has been exemplified by the company’s efforts for the recent NASCAR races. Chuck testifies, “We have been using the Scitex Vision XLjet 3+ to produce all of our work for the NASCAR events. We started off with a comparatively small job for them, printing various banners for small sections of track and produced an outdoor floor graphic for ‘victory lane’, where the winners of the races are paraded. They were so impressed with the quality of the graphics that CGS produced on the Scitex Vision XLjet 3+ that they asked us to provide all the event signage & displays for forthcoming events.”

It appears that the Scitex Vision XLjet 3+ is more than capable of meeting the challenge of complicated projects. Chuck explains, “The NASCAR projects now require us to produce hundreds of individual pieces of varying sizes. We are providing, among other things, the corporate sponsorship signage around the track itself, stage backdrops, as well as enormous 35ft x 15ft banners. Having only a week to produce these pieces would normally be a real task, but with the ability of the Scitex Vision XLjet 3+ to increase output capacity, we were able to work effectively to the deadline, providing the client with a top quality end product.”

These results back-up the research that CGS did into the marketplace before investing in the Scitex Vision XLjet 3+. Chuck outlines some of the reasons CGS chose the printer; “Some of the features of the Scitex Vision XLjet 3+ were a cut above those of competitive products. Firstly the superior drying system was a major selling point, particularly because it came as standard and not an optional add-on. Moreover, with the type of work we carry out, the ability to offer backlit printing on both sides of the material, with pinpoint accuracy, is a massive bonus.”

It is evident that the technical specifications of the Scitex Vision XLjet 3+ are not the only reason CGS chose the printer. As Chuck explains, “The number one determining factor for our purchase was the sincere interest everyone at Scitex Vision had in helping our business to succeed. We are still a growing company and find the tremendous support and stability that Scitex Vision offers invaluable. We are certain from what we have experienced so far, that our dealings with Scitex Vision have formed the basis of a long and prosperous relationship.”

Indy Imaging Races Ahead of the Competition with its Scitex Vision XLjet 5+ Printer

With the competition in the US wide format circuit heating up, Indy Imaging of Indianapolis, Indiana, has taken up the challenge and is set to take pole position thanks to its new Scitex Vision XLjet 5+ printer, installed in March, and its Scitex Vision XLjet 5 Premium printer.

Although founded only two years ago, Indy Imaging has established itself as one of the leaders in the field. The installation of the Scitex Vision XLjet 5+ was a calculated move to allow the company not only to move into new markets, but also to continue to meet current capacity, as its two older presses were starting to show the strain of the unrelenting pace of production.

Robbie Gordon, President of Indy Imaging explains, “We needed a machine which would set us apart from the competition, and give us the confidence to build upon our current capacity, as well as to branch out into new markets.

“Winning new customers is all down to producing high quality work and having a flexible machine that’s capable of fast turnaround, things we felt that the Scitex Vision XLjet 5+ was easily able to address.” He continues, “The machine’s versatility to run on so many flexible substrates cost-effectively, from wallpaper to backlit film, canvas and carpet made it the obvious choice for its first big job.”

Robbie couldn’t have chosen a more high profile event than the Indy 500 to demonstrate the performance of his new printer. “The ability of the Scitex Vision XLjet 5+ to print directly to mesh was a big factor in this job, we saved time and materials through being able to switch directly from printing vinyl to mesh in just a few minutes, without the cumbersome rail and paper feed system like other presses. The machine’s ability to run at speeds of 1,022 sqft/hr (95 m²/hr) allowed us to turn the job around in less than two days, which is no mean feat when you consider that we printed one 20’ x 100’ banner for the entrance to the grandstand and sixteen 18’ x 18’ banners to go around the bleachers.”

Robbie states that the accuracy of the printer allowed his finishing team to get the job out of the door in a matter of hours. “The consistency of the tiling function was amazing, we printed seven 18’ wide tiles all with text and images which all lined up perfectly, saving our finishers time and a lot of effort.”

Robbie has built up a loyal client base, many of whom are even specifying the Scitex Vision XLjet 5+, as they know the results will meet their high standards for quality and vividness of colour, as well as keeping costs down. Indy Imaging is able to pass on savings in waste and time that the machine provides, thanks to several Scitex Vision XLjet 5+ advanced features; on other presses the inkjet heads produce a lot of overspray which means that operators waste time stopping the press and cleaning the heads, the Scitex Vision XLjet series of printers (also available in 2.2m, 3.2m and 5m widths) totally eliminates the problem by auto-cleaning at user-specified intervals.

“The machine has given us an edge, our operators aren’t standing around watching the press printing, but are free to do other essential tasks.” Robbie notes, “They love the advanced take-up options of the press which shows that Scitex Vision has listened to the needs of printers and provided desperately needed capabilities. These time-saving options allow the printed substrate to flow down or be collected on a secondary collecting bar which means that each print can be cut and prepared while the next one is still being printed.”

Robbie concludes, “The best accolade I can give the printer comes from my press operators: they were so happy with its performance and the superb after sales service we received from Scitex Vision, that we sold our existing presses and are looking forward to the installation of a new Scitex Vision XLjet 5 Premium this month.”