Flexo CtP?Out of the Gates

When making the move to flexo CtP, the actual digital prepress workflow doesn't differ much from the digital prepress workflow for computer-to-film analog plate production. However, when using digital flexo plates, Vanover emphasizes that users must understand the differences between analog and digital platemaking, and their influence on press. "Most changes arise from the different formation of the digital dot, with its characteristic shoulders. Dot gain on digital plates is about 50 percent less than analog, so completely new curves must be made. And, plate floor depth will be less. Esko-Graphics helps customers understand this process with our FIQ (Flexo Implementation Quality) program to insure the transition from analog to digital plates is seamless."