Reporter Clips

Published: June 30, 2004, By Edward Boyle, Contributing Editor

Narrow Web Converting Industry News

Platesetter Impresses Converter's Customers
LYNWOOD, WA, USA—When tag and label flexo printer Northwest Flexo installed a CDI Spark flexo platesetter — made by Esko-Graphics and sold by The Pitman Co. — the goal was to output larger and more plates in a shorter period of time. The new equipment met the goal and more.

With its 18 employees, Northwest Flexo, a national and international award-winning printer, uses four-, six-, eight-, and ten-color flexo presses to print labels for beverages, CDs, DVDs, VHS tapes, cosmetics, and health care products, among other items. Northwest president Kevin Davis has high praise for the results achieved with the platesetter. “You've got to see the quality of digital plates to believe it…. Customers are noticing and commenting about the difference in quality and detail.”

“The Pitman Company,” Davis adds, “made sure we looked good to our clients, while supporting us throughout a very challenging CTP workflow installation.”
Supplier Info
Esko-Graphics; esko-graphics.com
The Pitman Co; pitmanco.com

Digital Printer Makes Short Runs Easier
DEVON, UK—Tamar Labels, Devon, UK, has installed a Digicon HS digital converting system from AB Graphic Intl. to enhance its short-run capabilities.

The system includes a 700-mm unwind, a flexo printing/coating station, UV curing, semi-rotary die-cutting, slitting/rewinding with a labels in/out section, as well as laminating and hot and cold foil stamping capabilities. It can handle a variety of substrates on- or off-line,

Reports Alan Jones, MD of Tamar, “The HP WS4000 print engine integrated with the Digicon HS from AB Graphic gives us a machine that guarantees an optimum quality we believe will positively enhance the reputation of our company. The technology gives us a high degree of flexibility and ease of use…. We are delighted with the equipment and the continuing support provided by AB Graphic.”
Supplier Info
AB Graphic Intl.; abgint.com

Tapecon Goes Digital
BUFFALO, NY, USA—Tapecon, a converter of p-s labels, decals, membrane switches, and custom fabrications, has installed an HP Indigo WS-2000 digital offset web press. Reportedly, the press expands Tapecon's production capabilities and makes it the first manufacturer of digital offset web printing in the region.

Tapecon president Alan Davis is pleased with “the savings in time and material when we can print products direct from computer to substrate with no printing plates or screens, no setups, no cleanups, and no waste.”

He adds, “Being able to print on almost any material in roll or sheet form with variable data and even do it in four-color process, that is exciting.”
Supplier Info
HP Indigo; hp.com