Screen and Fujifilm help Scott Print upgrade its prepress and CtP
Screen and Fujifilm Graphic Systems are pleased to announce that it has completed the upgrade of leading Perth, WA printer Scott Print’s prepress department with the addition of a Screen PlateRite HD PT-R8900N-S CtP device with an MA-L8900 autoloader, which enables three cassettes of up to 100 plates to be loaded automatically for a total of 300 plates, or 500 with the addition of two extra cassettes.
The ‘S’ model chosen by Scott Print is the middle of the PT-R8900N range, delivering up to 48 B1 size plates per hour at 2400dpi. It is capable of 4,000dpi with a high-resolution option. Scott Print has been running Fujifilm Superia LH-PJE plates for some time to feed its two Komori UV presses; an eight-colour B1 Komori G840P featuring H-UV ink curing, and a six-colour B2 Komori S629, also with H-UV. The new Screen PT-R8900N-S replaces two older Creo platesetters, yet still delivers increased productivity.
“We have been very happy with the performance of the Superia plates, particularly with our UV inks,” says John Scott, joint General Manager with his cousin Tim: “and now with the upgrade to the Screen platesetter from Fujifilm, we have greater productivity, increased uptime and higher overall consistency. The support has been outstanding and with the lo-chem Superia ZAC processing system, our chemical and water use is minimal.”
Screen’s CtP technology advances have focused on reducing energy use and today’s 8-page PlateRite devices consume about one-quarter of the energy of a ten-year old machine thanks to the adoption of 512-channel Grating Light Valves and an 80% reduction in power use when in standby mode.
Scott Print has constructed a new plate room as part of its refurbishment of the iconic Aberdeen Street, Perth premises. Bringing printing to full view at the front of the premises, with wide glass expanses, has created a more customer-friendly experience, moving away from the ‘dark arts’ image of the past.
Scott’s Prepress Manager Dean Metcalfe, who will be the main user of the new CtP comments: “With the introduction of our new platesetter what we have noticed most is the speed it can output plates, this has dramatically improved on our press downtime. The autoloader also allows us to continue making plates even when the machine is in operation, this is something we could not do in the past. Going from two machines down to one – we now only have one plate processor, this has cut our already-low chemical use almost in half, which further improves on our environmental footprint. Overall we are extremely happy with our new platesetter – there is no looking back now.”
Scott Print is a much-awarded printer at both PICAs and National Print Awards and was established in 1978 by Michael and Dudley Scott, who handed the reins over to John and Tim Scott in the early 2000s.
