Success for MacDermid’s LUX

ATLANTA, Ga.—MacDermid Printing Solutions announced it has placed more than 10 LUX units in the field. The LUX platemaking process is brand new technology, having made its commercial debut on May 2, 2010.

LUX is a new platemaking process for digital plates. According to the company, it allows a platemaker to produce highlight dots, reverse and fine image detail in the plate with an improved image structure. Printers are able to achieve faster press startups, higher contrast, smoother vignettes and use an expanded print gamut. Print benefits extend into corrugated printing where LUX modified plates can provide a significant reduction fluting.

“The LUX Process is capable of 1:1 plate imaging and the elimination of the bump curve which is required for conventional digital plates. If a 1 percent dot is burned into the plate mask, a 1 percent dot will be formed in the plate. This simplification of the platemaking process will improve the consistency, as well as the quality expectations from flexo,” said Paul Merkel, Director, Global Product Strategy, at MacDermid.