Shahe Kavlakian, Executive Manager, NDigitec expounds the significance of flexo technology upgrades and skills developed by NDigitec to benefit brand owners and packaging printers
Benjamin Daniel (BD): What is NDXC?
Shahe Kavlakian (SK): NDXC is an internal developed platform that utilises the client’s request with the best available technologies to generate unprecedented and maximum results.
BD: Are there pre-press benefits to image and process gravure cylinder?
SK: Yes, definitely. We can generate pdf files using our platform NDXC which will give high possibility for gravure cylinder making.
BD: Here in the GCC and the rest of MEA approximately 85% of the flexible print for packaging is done through rotogravure process. So how big is this area for you as a digital flexo plate supplier?
SK: Yes! It is true. Currently 80-85% of wide -web flexible packaging priners and converters here in the region are onto rotogravure process. However, we are all witnessing a game changing era in the recent years. The global shift from rotogravure to Flexo has come into play here in the MEA region as well. This is something unprecedented as we see brand owners shifting some of their flexible packaging jobs to flexo, which otherwise was printed by rotogravure process. This is happening slowly but surely and the future investments into flexible packaging print is more inclined towards CI Flexo. A transition and shift that North America, Europe and some mature Asian markets have taken up more swiftly in the recent years.
Thanks to the advanced software, imaging and flexo screening technologies where fiber lasers and dedicated optics guarantee superior, consistent and reliable imaging. These new advanced technologies have set the new flexo printing standard for fine highlights, sharp text and brilliant image details.
In addition, through NDXC platform, printers can now achieve perfect ink laydown with the right solid density, vibrant brand colors, supreme platemaking consistency. Therefore, flexo can now compete with gravure and offset in flexible packaging, labels and corrugated printing applications.
On the other hand, NDXC is not only for plate making. Plate making is just one of the deployments. We can provide complete prepress solutions through generating ready PDF and universal JDF files that can be utilised for any printing method, like rotogravure cylinder engraving, offset and even silkscreen as all the files are coming from this pool which we can term it as a file generating factory.
The global shift from Rotogravure to Flexo process has come into play here in the MEA region as well. This is something unprecedented
Shahe Kavlakian, Executive Manager, NDigitec
BD: Within the printing process, your parameters will vary as well?
SK: Yes, parameters will vary, but here what is important is also the integration. Let’s say there is a file from a brand owner such as Almarai. So, in the NDXC system, we are generating this file as a distinct one. As we use this file to create image on the plate, we process it according to the image carrier meant for the needed print process (let us say Almarai is using it to run a newspaper ad, or a label or a shrink sleeve or a flexible film. The NDXC system will manage all of these intricate processes. And if he wants to get the file to make in-house or third party rotogravure cylinder, then that is also possible, so this system will create an integration between all files meant for different processes and therefore the outcome of flexo or rotogravure or any other process is maximised.
BD: So you provide layout or contract proofs to your clients?
SK: We provide a digital half-tone proof that is exactly the same or replica simulation of the plate. We are offering this service to our clients for the five years and we call it “real screen digital proof”.
BD: That proof is used as a reference for finger printing on the press and your experts go to the press to do this?
SK: Yes. We do that and also as a new strategy, at NDigitec we are looking at directly collaborating with brand owners to improve their overall quality.
BD: As multiple format or multiple print process possibilities is a big challenge. how do you retain colour consistency across different print processes and substrates?
SK: As a specialised prepress bureau, we connect the dots between diverse print processes and substrates. It is over here that you deal with us and we will give you exactly what you want. You want plates or files for labels or flexible substrates or even paperboard, we can offer all.
Imagine Pepsico does not have a pre-media company, then what will happen? As they deal with professional agencies, they will have minimum or no issues with colour or quality inconsistency in print. Therefore, we have the capability to match any challenge that a brand owner has and provide him with the apt solution.