Plotting Along

While hardware progressions enable steady hops ahead in efficiency, software's impact is more akin to a whirlwind. "Advances in imagesetter speeds only amount to mere seconds per job, if that," explains Ferland. "The real productivity enhancements come from software, such as Alan Graphic Systems' alanRIP for flexo and Flexo Assistant, that automates repetitive tasks such as step and repeat, distortion, dot gain compensation, and film and file optimization, while offering customizable calibration and high-end screening controls."