EskoArtwork Unveils HD Flexo
GENT, Belgium—EskoArtwork has introduced HD Flexo, a system that combines 4000 dpi HD optics along with unique screening technologies to take advantage of sharper and more accurate imaging. This technology will be available on new Cyrel Digital Imagers (CDI) and can be upgraded on all existing CDI systems. The solution was introduced during Grafitalia, March 24-28, in Milan.
“EskoArtwork has driven developments in digital flexographic imaging technology since 1995. In fact, more than 90 percent of all digital flexo plates and sleeves are imaged on CDIs,” explains Jürgen Andresen, EskoArtwork vice president, Flexo Business. “Step by step, we have introduced a number of industry milestones to help automate the platemaking process, including inline main exposure at drupa last year. The ‘holy grail’ for flexo has always been the promise of developing a system that matches the quality and ease of use of offset CTP. With HD Flexo, EskoArtwork closes that gap by offering consistent color and print quality, once more raising the industry standard for flexo quality.”
HD Flexo combines high resolution, 4000 dpi optics—similar to using an ultra-fine pencil to write on paper—with proven screening technology used by many printers as the ideal solution for highlights and exceptional flexo print quality. This combination makes it possible to achieve outstanding print quality with a straightforward plate production process. Just as significant, this new technology is easy to use. There is no longer any need for tweaking or adjustments—it is simple and straightforward.
The high-resolution optics deliver accurate, sharper imaging of text and line art. With the higher resolution, the optics also deliver more clearly defined, better shaped screen dots, because the dots are made of more pixels. The rounder dot shape means that they are more stable on press, resulting in longer print runs with the same printing plate—even more than standard digital flexo plates.
HD Screening places both large and small dots in the highlight areas to extend the tonal range to a much smaller percentage value than was previously possible with digital flexo. This effect can only be achieved through the combination of higher resolution optics and smart screening.
HD Flexo will image plates manufactured by a variety of leading plate vendors, allowing users to select solvent or thermal plates, and can be imaged on a wide range of plate sizes and formats without any degradation of quality.
HD Flexo brings some significant sustainability benefits as well. With HD Flexo direct digital platemaking, there is no manual lamination plate. Thus, there is no film to dispose of once the plates have been imaged. And because HD Flexo technology will work with thermal plate processing, there is no need for solvents that could be environmentally damaging. Printers who work with plates generated from HD Flexo typically reduce makeready sheets required to get to acceptable color by 66 percent-resulting in much less waste.
HD Flexo became available Wednesday, April 1. It is completely field upgradeable for any existing EskoArtwork CDI customer.