09.16.10
Asahi Photoproducts, a supplier of photopolymer printing plates, presented its new AWP water wash plates to the industry. The plates have been in development for a decade, according to VP Sales & Marketing Joseph Bauer, and are for use in digital imagers. Asahi aims to challenge the market share of thermal plates in the narrow web industry.
“The Asahi water washable plate outperforms the best digital flexo plates, holding smaller dots than those of thermal processed plates – the prevalent technology used by narrow web label printers – with superior stability on press,” says Bauer. “Extensive AWP plate trials and live production jobs have proven its ability to print down to 2 or 3 percent dots, using classical round dot screening. With the latest screening technologies, the plate is able to reproduce a vignette fade to zero.”
The company also is marketing a plate development unit, which features a closed loop washing system. The water and other ingredients in the wash are contained within the unit at all times, and the spent polymers can be removed as solids
“The Asahi water washable plate outperforms the best digital flexo plates, holding smaller dots than those of thermal processed plates – the prevalent technology used by narrow web label printers – with superior stability on press,” says Bauer. “Extensive AWP plate trials and live production jobs have proven its ability to print down to 2 or 3 percent dots, using classical round dot screening. With the latest screening technologies, the plate is able to reproduce a vignette fade to zero.”
The company also is marketing a plate development unit, which features a closed loop washing system. The water and other ingredients in the wash are contained within the unit at all times, and the spent polymers can be removed as solids