Thermal Platesetter Key To Short-Run Colour Market

Printmatrix in Colchester (UK) has installed one of the first Presstek Vector TX52 thermal platesetters in the UK.

Printmatrix in Colchester (UK) has installed one of the first Presstek Vector TX52 thermal platesetters in the UK.

The company, which is run by Phil and Kathy Norris, specialises in short run digital and offset printing.

"The investment in the Presstek Vector TX52 platesetter is key to becoming more competitive in the short run four colour market," said Phil Norris.

"Before we placed an order for a new four colour press, it seemed sensible to increase the productivity in our pre-press department by automating the plate production.

We've always made our metal plates conventionally and that was time consuming.

The press operators were spending a lot of their time making plates.

The installation of the new Vector TX52 platesetter, will hopefully double our capacity," he added.

Phil Norris first saw a prototype of the Presstek Vector TX52 at Digital Print World 2004.

He continued: "It was just what we wanted -a competitively priced, fully integrated, chemistry-free thermal metal CTP system with a footprint about the same size as a photocopier.

We decided that we wanted this new technology and we were prepared to wait for it." The two-up 52cm platesetter, which outputs up to 20 plates an hour, opens the door for any small to medium size commercial printer producing short run, high quality work, believes Presstek.

It uses new technology to deliver a very attractive price point, whilst significantly reducing production costs through the use of Presstek Freedom chemistry-free plates, claimed the company.

Using the Presstek's patented Thindrum and Surefire laser technology, the Vector TX52 offers the consistency of internal drum technology.

It also has a small footprint with the plate washer built directly in to the device rather than as two separate units.

The Freedom plate is inserted at the front, imaged and water-washed inside the unit before being discharged as a completed plate.

The plate is designed for run lengths up to 25,000 impressions and is priced at near polyester plate prices.

Norris explained: "It was the 'green credentials' of the product that appealed to us.

With the trend towards environmentally friendly products, we saw it as an attractive selling point, particularly to our public sector customers.

From our own point of view, the advantage lay in not having to use chemicals or worry about conforming to the latest regulations on hazardous waste disposal." As well as being able to provide increased productivity, Norris is pleased with the quality of the Freedom plates and their performance on press.

He added: "It is certainly more consistent because there are not so many variables to contend with and I think it holds a better half tone.

We've had it installed at a quiet time of the year, so that we will be fully trained and ready to put it through its paces in the next month or so.

I believe that we will easily be able to double our plate production without increasing our personnel.".

Back to top