30% Turnover Boost With Thermal CTP System

An increase in turnover by 30 per cent is being realised by Hunts Litho with a new Screen Platerite 4300S thermal CTP system.

Installed by Litho Supplies, Oxford (UK) Hunts Litho is on target to increase its turnover from its current GBP3.5 million since it replaced an existing visible light CTP system.

According to Screen Hunts Litho was originally attracted to the environmental benefits of adopting chemical-free production that is only possible with thermal technology and it is using the Platerite 4300S to image Agfa plates as part of a processless operation.

Director of Hunts Litho, Dennis Vokins, said: "Screen's thermal CTP technology helps us take significant steps towards becoming a greener company.

We wanted to operate a more environmentally sound business to demonstrate our commitment to reducing waste and carbon emissions and to also help us provide a better service for the majority of our customers that are concerned with conservation." As well as cleaning up the company's processes, Hunts Litho has been pleased with the additional business benefits brought about by its latest pre-press investment.

Vokins explained: "The impact of the investment has surprised us all.

The quality has been enhanced as the newer technology provides better dot consistency and our plate output has also increased because our new system has helped us streamline our operation by negating the processing stage.

In addition, Screen's Platerite 4300S has so far saved us around GBP500 a month as we no longer have to purchase or dispose of the chemicals associated with our visible light system." The Platerite 4300S installed at Hunts Litho is being used to image up to 21 plates per hour for the company's Heidelberg Speedmaster 52 two-colour and Komori 528 five-colour presses.

The CTP unit and litho printers will be connected to the various departments via Screen's Trueflow workflow.

The Platerite 4300S has been installed with Screen's SAL 4300II single plate autoloader, which is capable of feeding up to 100 plates unmanned.

Designed as an automated system, the Platerite 4300S offers an in-line punching facility as standard, which assures plates are accurately prepared for the press, thus reducing make-ready.

Before investing in the Screen system, Hunts Litho considered purchasing Heidelberg and Agfa platesetters but as Vokins added: "After reviewing two other systems, it became apparent that the Platerite 4300S provided the best value for money.

Also, as a long standing Screen customer, we were confident that the service and support offered by Screen could not be beaten." Hunts Litho employs 32 employees and in addition to its CTP, two-colour and five-colour printing facilities, it offers design and finishing services to a range of customers operating in the UK.

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