On 29 March 2015, the proceedings for the technical session began at the Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel in Hyderabad with a minute’s silence as homage to P Hanumantha Rao, an ode to his legacy and contribution to India’s printing industry. This was followed by Abraham Prabhakar, vice president, Packaging Segment, India Cluster, speaking about digital flexo plates and other innovations in packaging and printing. He said, “There is no world without Kodak, we say this because Kodak offers products and solutions for commercial, newspaper, packaging and digital printers. Kodak touches 48% of the world’s printed products such as labels, tags, cartons and flexibles. ”
Digital flexo plates have been around for more than two decades. Prabhakar further explained the process of traditional digital flexo plate making where oxygen inhibition during UV exposure causes the dot profile to become round on an image area, especially in highlighted areas. The Flexcel NX System eliminates all oxygen during UV exposure to produce full amplitude flat-top dots with flat-top bases. The amalgamation of Kodak Squarespot Imaging Technology, the reliability of the thermal imaging layer and the process of exposure in the absence of oxygen mean that the image in the digital file is reproduced pixel for pixel on the printing plate, eliminating guesswork from plate making and bringing total predictability to the process. Kodak Flexcel NX laminators are used to laminate the thermal imaging layer to the Flexcel NX Plate prior to exposure and processing. This stage is vital because it removes all oxygen between the imaged layer and the plate, permitting the creation of full amplitude, robust, flat-top dots.
Maxtone Screening is a hybrid AM screening resolution that overcomes highlight and shadow reproduction limitations. It allows the operator to smoothen the transition from highlights to mid-tones, effectively reducing the flexo break effect that can be seen in blends and vignettes. Flexo trade shops, printers and converters can now deliver offset-like
print with improved detail, smoother vignettes, and better reproduction of the entire tonal range.
DigiCap NX Patterning is a software-based feature for the Flexcel NX System that enables a key pace in ink transfer efficiency through the application of a micro surface texturization pattern to the surface of all elements on the Flexcel NX Plate. Print applications that traditionally struggle with efficient ink transfer can now enjoy higher print densities, smooth solid area ink coverage and expanded color gamut with process printing. The innovative solution uses the high resolution, 1:1 reproduction capabilities of the Flexcel NX
System to image a superfine micro pattern across the entire imaged area of the plate. Pattern elements are only 5 x 10 microns in size and are distributed in an even pattern across all plate elements, both solids and tones. Hence, no extra plates are required for ink densities, and with the help of this technology 2.5 million impressions can be achieved without any back up plate thus reducing the costs of flexo plate making. Prabhakar described the direct laser engraving system that raises the bar, using elastomer, faster engraving, longer media file with good print quality that matches offset and gravure dots. Kodak Sonora plates reduce the environmental impact, control cost and differentiate a printer`s business.
He also gave a video presentation by print users in USA and Australia. Shelf impression, production effectiveness and sustainability with exceptional imaging technology and state-of-the-art materials enable good image quality and stability in prepress and the pressroom by the Kodak Flexcel NX System. Kodak’s association with Techno Graphic Services, will be expanding to a channel partnership agreement for Kodak Prosper Imprinting Systems. High quality in variable printing, delivering high-resolution variable print in the hybrid digital
printing product line with speeds matching those of a web offset press in a solo pass is offered by the Kodak Prosper S-Series System.
“As part of the agreement, Techno Graphic Services will become an authorized Kodak sales partner in pan India. Techno Graphic Services is a perfect companion for Kodak as they continue to see great interest from printers for the Prosper S-Series system. Muralidhar Nalli, partner, Techno Graphic Services and his team have a good reputation among Hyderabad’s regional printing community as trusted and reliable partners who understand how to help their customers grow their business. We are advancing to an effective relationship concentrated on giving our clients greater flexibility and a new level of customization that is needed to flourish in a gradually competitive market,” concluded Prabhakar.
