Flexo CtP?Out of the Gates

No matter how a package printer transitions into digital plates, it is apparent that CtP for flexo has gotten a strong foothold. Dalton reports that Creo saw a dramatic increase in the adoption rate of flexo CtP in 2003, and he expects the trend to continue in 2004.

Although there is no direct-image CtP flexo technology viable at this time, the advantages of digital plates are being felt in the industry. This is likely to pick up steam. "There is no question that CTP technology has a huge advantage when it comes to quality vs. conventional film," says Zeinert. "This improved quality will drive the transition from computer-to-film to computer-to-plate."