Asahi Photoproducts has launched
a premium digital photopolymer flexo plate technology with a special pinning
top dot, which enables a wide colour space, vibrant colour reproductions, soft
tonal shades and improved productivity.
A feature of both Asahi’s
solvent-washable TOP and water-washable AWP plates, the company’s Pinning Top
Dot technology (PDT) enables a clean ink transfer and prevents ink accumulating
on the plate surfaces and shoulders in screen areas. This leads to fewer
cleaning intervals and reduced downtime as well as significant quality
improvements.
The Pinning Dot Technology allows
a kiss-touch printing pressure setting. It makes use of low plate surface
tension, made possible by a specially engineered Asahi polymer chemistry, to
inhibit liquid flow. The ink forms a globule, with a large contact angle and
high pinning point. This results in a cleaner and homogeneous ink transfer from
plate to substrate.
Furthermore, the higher pinning
point allows reduced printing pressure throughout the printing run, regardless
of ink set used. This leads to lower dot gain, especially in the highlight
areas, as well as smooth and soft vignettes fading out to zero with a wider
total colour gamut. The lower pressure also allows longer plate life.
Dr. Dieter Niederstadt, Technical
Marketing Manager, Asahi Photoproducts Europe, comments: “The arrival of the
PTD plate range is ideal for applications such as high-end flexible packaging,
where premium, pristine point-of-sale presentation is essential. It enables
brand-owners and retailers to achieve the consistent, high standards normally
associated with gravure and, at the same time, benefit from the relatively low
ownership costs of the flexo process.”
Suited for solvent, water and
UV-based inks as well as high-quality film and coated paper substrates, Asahi’s PTD plates offer a resolution of 80
l/cm (200 lpi), minimum isolated dot of 150 µm micron, and is available in
thicknesses of 1.14mm (shore A hardness 77) and 1.70mm (shore A hardness
69). It is compatible with all commonly
available laser types, as well as the latest high-definition microcell
screening technology.
The PTD family range comprises
the solvent-washable TOP plate for the solvent washable process and
water-washable AWP plate. Ideally suited for the repro-house, TOP offers easy
integration in existing work flows without the need for additional machine
investment cost.
The AWP plate combines time-saving
and quality advantages demanded by the printer with in-house plate making. In
addition to the advantages of the solvent plate, AWP offers access time to the
press of just one hour. Also, because of the elimination of solvent and the
subsequent drying process, the AWP plate features excellent register
performance and is easier to register on press. The plate is especially
beneficial in situations where last-minute job changes are commonplace and fast
makeready times are essential.
