Dubai-based prepress specialist Reprotronics has invested almost €500,000 in a software and hardware overhaul including a switch to HD flexo. Upgrading the firm’s Esko CDI flexo imagers to HD flexo will enhance both quality and productivity, said Sebastian Lonth, general manager of Reprotronics.
“Now we can have a resolution range from 2540 to 4000 dpi,’ he told Packaging MEA.
“The speed of imaging has doubled to 4sqm/hr and quality has improved drastically.”
Through its enhanced screening technology, Reprotronics can now give a quality “as good as offset”, he added.
Reprotronics recent upgrade also covered a switch to Flint nyloflex Next technology for surface screening. In addition to flattop dots and surface screening, this offers the advantage that its LED technology enables a 1% dot to be retained from imaging through runs as long as 1,000,000 impressions, said Lonth.
But he stressed that achieving these technologies’ potential involves working closely with printers.
“Although these new tech enable us to produce a high-quality plate, the challenge of reproducing the same quality of dots (1% -100%) can be only achieved with the press standards set at real high levels, especially with the right anilox and inks,” he said.
“We go the extra mile in closely working with the printer to achieve this high quality print. We have implemented this technology with selective customers who are really quality conscious.”
In Lonth’s view, HD flexo delivers exceptional printing throughout the entire tonal range: good highlights, stable midtones, smooth gradients and solids, along with higher solid ink densities.
Screen rulings can be increased, while the size of the smallest printable dot can be reduced.
Special screening technology and the higher imaging resolution result in sharper images, smoother tints and a greater colour gamut, he said.
Makeready time is reduced and plates deliver greater run lengths. Fewer washing cycles also ensure the press is used optimally.
“We spent almost €500,000 to upgrade all our software and hardware machines,” he said.