Agfa Maps Out CTP Future For Map Printer

A bold investment in a Very Large Format (VLF) CTP service has been launched by London specialist map printer Victoria Litho.

A bold investment in a Very Large Format (VLF) CTP service has been launched by London specialist map printer Victoria Litho.

Based upon Agfa's second generation Xcalibur, thermal CTP system, it is the first installation of Agfa's GLV based system in the U.K.

Introduced with the Xcalibur 45 eight-up platesetter, the VLF system has a Grating Light Valve (GLV) imaging system, which delivers high resolution Thermostar CTP plates for improved performance on the press, claim Agfa.

It believes it is the first company to introduce this technology to the printing and pre-press markets.

Victoria Litho selected the system after careful evaluation of all the major VLF manufacturers and, in managing director David Wilson's words: "We made the decision based upon our knowledge of the market place and that of our suppliers." Agfa's total package of CTP system, digital proofing, plates and colour management expertise was also significant, he added.

Wilson focussed on the economics of a productive system that would provide the plates for his map and commercial printing operation and could form the basis of a separate, highly proficient, plate production business.

"With an output requirement of 3,500 plates a year we could justify our £350,000 investment, especially as we were placing most of that film and platemaking with outside suppliers," Wilson commented.

"But with such a versatile system as the VLF Xcalibur, we could offer a B1 service to other printers who we were not competing with.

We are producing high quality plates and much of the credit for going straight to CTP and digital proofing, literally from scratch, must go to Craig Herd, who is a partner in the new business called Springfield CTP, and of course Agfa, whose support has been wonderful," said Wilson.

He also said that with the industry in such a tough climate, it is important to make the most of this type of initiative and to have partnerships with key personnel and professional suppliers.

Victoria Litho's VLF presses are Roland four and five colour machines that have a maximum sheet size of 1,100 x 1,600 mm that can easily be accommodated on the VLF Xcalibur with it's 2,030 x 1,475 mm (80" x 58") plate coverage.

Xcalibur is also said to image other plate sizes that can be as small as 565mm x 450 mm (22.2" x 17.7").

A new Grand Sherpa 50 is also a key part of the Agfa mix that not only provides contract quality proofs for the map and commercial print operation, but also outputs a fast 60x40 poster for cinemas.

"It's all part of our drive to harness technology to generate higher sales, better margins and profitability and we believe that GLV is at the heart of Agfa's breakthrough in high definition imaging systems," said Craig Herd of Springfield CTP.

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