Thermal Processless CTP's Offers Business Benefits

As part of an expansion programme that has doubled space at its Bradford (UK) site, colour printer The Print Room has installed Screen's B2 Platerite 4100 CTP system.

As part of an expansion programme that has doubled space at its Bradford (UK) site, colour printer The Print Room has replaced its film operation with the installation of Screen's B2 Platerite 4100 CTP system and Trueflow 3 software.

The Platerite thermal CTP unit enables the company to use processless plates, which can be imaged in one pass and do not require a processor or the consumables needed with other plate-making systems, said Screen.

Since installing the Platerite The Print Room is already imaging around 600 Kodak Thermaldirect plates per month and expects to increase that by at least 30 per cent over the coming weeks, added the company.

Patrick Whitworth, owner of The Print Room, said: "We opted for the thermal route because we believe processless plate production offers the most business benefits and opportunities for growth.

The speed at which the Platerite 4100 outputs is set to increase our production by 40 per cent and, in addition, we are making remarkable savings on chemicals, maintenance and cleaning." He added: "The Platerite 4100 is so easy to use that we have been able to take some employees out of the pre-press department and re-deploy them in other areas of the company.

It has enabled us to make some significant improvements to the structure of our business." Whitworth explained that the company has retrained one of the film specialists to work in its finishing department in a move that has reduced the amount of work it outsources.

As a result, The Print Room no longer has to ferry as many jobs to and from its suppliers.

The Print Room has further enhanced its operation by automating a range of pre-press functions - such as colour conversion, imposition, trapping and RIPing - with the implementation of Screen's Trueflow 3 software.

Whitworth commented: "Customers like the security of knowing processes are calibrated and take comfort in knowing that their material will pass through a set of standardised procedures before it reaches the press.

Screen's Trueflow 3 software dramatically reduces the risk of human error and, as a result, improves quality, reliability and accuracy." He said that the company could have continued with its original film set-up, which comprised a Screen imagesetter and Harlequin RIP, but there was a point when every business needs to plan for the future and invest in its equipment to keep up with the times.

Whitworth concluded: "Now we have made the investment we are glad we've taken the plunge." Established in 2001, The Print Room operates on a double-shift system and offers customers a range of services, including print management proofing and design.

The company, which employs 10 people and has a turnover of over GBP600,000 per year, has also installed Komori's SRA2 five-colour press, Accura's management information system and an MBO folder as part of its new growth venture.

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