To say that the printing industry has changed over the last 20
years by the use of the computer is an understatement. Desktop
publishing, digital graphics, image scanning, digital printing
and digital photography have revolutionized the way we create
and communicate our thoughts and ideas in print.
In the offset printing world, however, the last piece of the
digital puzzle has been the creation of the plate that is used
to actually apply the ink to the paper on press. Most printers
still convert digital artwork back to analog film to make the
plates. In January of 2001, Hanson converted completely to CTP
(Computer-to-plate) printing technology, and it has been a tremendous
success.
With our Heidelberg Topsetter 102 direct-to-plate system, we
process the electronic artwork files with a RIP (raster image
processor) directly to the plate setter. There is no more film
and no more mechanical stripping involved.
What does this mean to you?
1. Faster from file to proof - With no need for film and color
separations, we can produce a digital proof in minutes instead
of hours. This saves time and money, and if there are any "AA's"
(billable author's alterations), your cost is a fraction of what
it used to be.
2. No mechanical errors in plating - No dirt, no fingerprints,
no lint and no fades or hot spots.
3. Consistent fit on press - No trial and error alignment and
consistent registration on press within 1/7th of a dot at 200
line screen!
4. Crisper dot shape - Improved image quality, better control
in highlighted and shadowed areas of an image, much better color
control with process colors.
5. Faster to press - Faster press OK's, faster plate changes
for jobs with many pages and much faster make-ready times which
saves you money!
6. Economical plate changes - Far faster and less expensive for
jobs that have multiple print lots or last minute corrections
at press check.
7. No loss of quality in translation from digital artwork to
analog film.
8. Cleaner chemistry - No more heavy metals. Much safer for the
planet and all of us who live here!
In short, you get a better finished product, you get it faster
and you get it at a
lower price!
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