New Vector TX52 CTP at Alpe France

Presstek has announced the successful integration of a chemistry-free Vector TX52 CTP system at Alpe France.

Presstek, a leading manufacturer and marketer of environmentally responsible high-tech digital imaging solutions for the graphic arts market, has announced the successful integration of a chemistry-free Vector TX52 CTP system at Alpe France, a full-service printer based in Paris.

Alpe's investment in a Vector TX52 platesetter marks a year of increased vitality at the nine-person firm, delivering new technical capabilities and freeing the company from its previous reliance on subcontractors.

Thanks to a solid technical foundation, the company can support the entire communication chain, including direct mail activities.

During the summer of 2005, Alpe acquired its first four-color, two-page offset press.

The acquisition sparked an upsurge in business and Thierry Parquet, owner and manager at Alpe, needed to address a significant increase in production capacity.

Parquet was convinced about the merits of CTP technology.

Initially he believed that a four-page CTP would be necessary to met client demands, but the cost exceeded Alpe's budget.

Thierry Parquet has a keen interest in new products and industry trends, and he was alerted to the chemistry-free, two-page Presstek CTP system by an advertisement in a graphic arts magazine.

The technology matched Alpe's requirements and the affordable price fit the budget.

Parquet contacted Presstek's local distributor, AJ Plus, who assisted Alpe with the purchasing decision and subsequent installation.

Alpe is an environmentally aware company that pays close attention to the effective use of sustainable resources.

Hence, Thierry Parquet closely examined how Presstek technology could enable Alpe to work 'cleaner'.

After comparing a number of available solutions, Parquet determined that the Vector TX52 CTP was the most environmentally friendly platesetter.

"The Vector TX52 is the only true two-page, chemistry-free CTP, non-ablative plate currently available on the market," states Parquet.

The technology is a perfect fit with Alpe's environmental approach and furthers the company's objective to obtain the 'Imprim' Vert' certification for environmentally-friendly production.

From a technical perspective, the Vector TX52 offered a good fit to Alpe's existing production process.

Alpe's technicians were already accustomed to working with a Harlequin RIP connected to copiers.

"The Harlequin RIP is one of the easiest and most reliable solutions on the market," says Christian Marmoret, in charge of pre-press at Alpe.

After examining all the economic, ecological and technical aspects of the system, Parquet and his team decided to purchase the Presstek Vector TX52.

Just fifteen days after signing the order, Alpe received the chemistry-free metal plate-making solution.

Extremely easy to use and set-up, the Vector TX52 produced its first plates just two days after it was installed.

The platesetter's small footprint and efficient operation is a real advantage.

"Because it is just imaged and water-rinsed, the Vector TX52 can be placed anywhere in the printing plant," says Parquet, who chose to install the system in a corner of the DTP workshop.

The compact CTP system has a built-in plate washer, so it does not require a second, separate unit.

The chemistry-free Freedom plate is inserted in the front; imaged and water-rinsed inside, and then discharged as a finished, press-ready plate.

Satisfaction and productivity is at an all-time high at Alpe.

The Vector TX52 has delivered a number of practical and economical benefits, offering reduced costs as well as savings in time.

"The price we pay to subcontractors for films is equal to that of renting our equipment".

"With the Vector TX52, we have eliminated the setup, exposure and development steps, as well as the costs related to transporting films".

"We also gain a good degree of planning freedom".

"For us, this means a real step forward not only in terms of saving time, but also in improved quality," concludes Thierry Parquet".

"Our first generation dots are stronger, and from the very first sheets, the colors are almost in perfect register".

"We're very satisfied with our new system.".

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