Asahi system for Flexoshop

Asahi Photoproducts has confirmed that Flexoshop, a repro and platemaking house based in Colchester, Essex, UK, has moved its plate production from ‘Flat Top Dot’ plates to its premium quality AWP flexographic plate system. Designed for high quality print performance, the AWP water washable plate produces high quality plates, says Asahi.

“For the first time, a digital photopolymer plate can hold extremely small stable dots – smaller than those of solvent processed plates – and its stability on press is superior to solvent plates, with numerous associated environmental and waste reduction benefits. Its precise register ensures faster make ready and reduced waste on press,” says Paul Chant, UK Branch Manager of Asahi.

Simon Drane, Managing Director of Flexoshop says, “What spurred me to make the move was a customer who had to outsource his highest quality work to a digital printer because the plates we were using couldn’t meet the quality demands of his customer. We decided to invest in an Asahi AWP 2530 plate setter with AWP water washable plates and have never looked back. That printer is now able to produce the highest quality work in house and better serve his customer from both a price and performance perspective. That experience prompted us to make our AWP water washable plates the centrepiece of our new business acquisition strategy. The Asahi AWP water washable plate is the best plate you can buy on the market. We were not getting anywhere near this quality with our previous Flat Top Dot plates.”

Paul Chant and Simon Drane

Left to right: Paul Chant (Asahi) and Simon Drane.

The AWP™ 2530 Auto plate processor is designed to meet the quality requirements of even the most demanding customers. Its combined processor and plate technology is engineered to deliver a sustainable quality output that produces vivid colours and high quality screening. Its water processor is an environmentally sound solution. Its automated water washing system conserves water, uses no chemicals and generates a plate every 25 minutes. It uses 6 litres of water per plate, as opposed to the 15 litres of solvent per plate used in a typical solvent-based platemaking process. AWP water washable plates use ‘Pinning Technology for Clean Transfer’, a plate technology that is specifically engineered to transfer all remaining ink to the print substrate due to the photopolymer plates having a lower surface energy than other plates.

“Not only does this deliver stunning graphical quality, but it also improves overall production efficiencies due to reduced make ready waste and fewer press wash-ups,” says Mr Chant.

He concludes, “Repro houses are facing an increasingly competitive market. Forward-looking companies like Flexoshop, who are making the necessary investments for the future of their businesses, will be well positioned for success into the future. We are proud to be their partner.”

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