Artwork Systems

In the beginning was computer-to-plate, which begat digital files, which begat much confusion among graphic designers, printers, and prepress service bureaus because customer files were full of errors and omissions. And there was much weeping and gnashing of teeth until lo and behold, the miracle of preflighting came to pass. And there was great rejoicing because, henceforth, all digital files would be automatically checked and corrected before proceeding to the next step in the workflow, saving many costly remakes and much labor. Hallelujah. There’s no denying that preflight software has been a godsend for printers and prepress professionals everywhere since the concept was

RONKONKOMA, N.Y.—In today’s environment, digital workflow processes such as plate making should be simpler not more complicated. Optimizing the Digital Plate Package for Flexography is a series of seminars, demonstrations and hands-on sessions where attendees will learn to un-complicate digital plate pre-press and production in order to achieve optimal results. The two-day program, August 2-3, is limited to 25 people and is hosted by Clemson University’s Department of Graphic Communications. Joining Clemson’s faculty will be top industry presenters such as Mark Mazur (Dupont Imaging Technologies), Mark Samworth (Artwork Systems), David Chinnis (Flint Group Printing Plates) and Dr. John Anderson (FTA). They will teach

Most screening technologies work well. Every prepress workflow presents a multitude of screening options. Beyond these simple assumptions, however, questions proliferate. Is AM screening the right choice, or is FM better? Will transitional screening supplant them both? What are the tradeoffs? How tight a process control window can the printer operate within? The answers to these questions vary from market to market and from one print discipline to another. What is certain is that the right choice of screening method can help printers in their quest for differentiation. It can also have an impact in the pressroom, based on its runnability. Screening

Agfa The Sherpa 43 Inkjet System for contract proofing offers multi-density ink capability, optimal color accuracy, and a digital workflow. Write 196, Visit www.agfa.com J ANDERSON & VREELAND Digital proofing systems include digital halftone proofers and digital inkjet proofers from leading-edge manufacturers. Write 197, Visit www.anderson vreeland.com, See Ad p. 8 Artwork Systems Products support multiple output devices, including all common proofers, imagesetters, and platesetters. Write 198, www.artwork systems.com J BETA INDUSTRIES The full line of magnifiers, loupes, and microscopes from 5x to 300x fill every requirement in the film, plate, and print

Cimex CAD design and machining software for packaging and manufacturing professionals. CimPACK for diemakers now has two levels to accommodate all diemaker’s needs. Write 151, Visit www.cimexcorp.com Data Technology The most complete line of samplemakers/plotters for the packaging industry. Write 152, Visit www.data technology.com EngView Systems EngView Systems' prodecuts work together with any CAD system to boost the design process by easy creation of customized standards. Write 153, Visit www.engview.com Esko-Graphics ArtiosCAD offers conceptual design, product development, and prototyping. The complete 3D integration allows for quick prototyping of designs and presentations, eliminating communication errors and reducing design review cycles.Kongsberg cutting and creasing tables provide

Agfa Packaging Solutions The AgfaScan XY-15 Plus is an oversized A3 format CCD flatbed scanner for high-productivity scanning. A hand-selected, premium 8,000-element CCD allows it to achieve a maximum density of 4.1 and resolution up to 15,000 ppi. Write 186, Visit www.agfa.com Artwork Systems ArtPro®, PackFlow™, LabelFlow™, FlexoCal™, and Hybrid Screening. System platforms are designed for Macintosh and Windows NT and support multiple output devices. Write 187, Visit www.artwork-systems.com J BETA INDUSTRIES Betalog Imagesetter Densitometers measure film to densities of 6.00+, maintaining imagesetter calibration, halftone quality. Model 77 measures large film on a light table, while Betalog 150

Agfa CristalRaster for PostScript-based stochastic screening technology for true photographic quality color reproduction. Write 209, Visit www.agfa.com J ANDERSON & VREELAND Anderson & Vreeland offers Digital prepress workflow systems, including Artwork Systems, RIPit Systems, Agfa Apogee Series and Xitron. Write 210, www.anderson vreeland.com, See Ad p. 8 Artwork Systems NEXUS provides total integration of the Artwork Systems leading front-end, back-end technologies. Write 211, Visit www.artwork systems.com J BETA INDUSTRIES BetaTab data acquisition software effortlessly captures calibration data and images to improve calibration, communication, and collaboration. Write 212, Visit

The Flexographic Prepress Platemakers Association (FPPA) convened its ninth annual convention last month in Amelia Island, Fla. During the three-day conference, presenters from the supplier and provider communities shared their insights on a variety of topics. Following a keynote address by Bill Raaths, CEO of Great Northern Corp., sessions included “The Effect of Simultaneous Imaging and Direct UV Main Exposure on Digital Plates and Sleeves” by Ian Hole of Esko-Graphics; “Remote Digital Proofing: Contract Color and Content Proofing at Remote Sites” by Deborah Hutcheson of Agfa Corp.; “Forensically Invisible Brand Protection Packaging” by Kevin Harrell, Creo/Kodak; “In-the-Round Production Technology” by Dan Rosen of Flint

When it comes to flexo plates, there’s just one evolving story to tell. It concerns the growth in computer-to-plate (CTP) technology, including its slow-growing acceptance among flexo trade shops, many of which remain skeptical that digital imaging technology has all that much to offer them—yet. Historically, the biggest disadvantage of flexo plates, especially when compared with the litho variety, has been quality, and this perceived disadvantage is largely responsible for the rapid development in CTP flexo. In fact, these developments have resulted in a quality advantage for image reproduction with digital dots vs. film-plate dots. There are dissenters, however. The future may

With digital assets representing a large investment by brand owners, organization and management are of critical importance. WHAT'S IN A package? Prior to the addition of cereal, hand cream, aspirin, or bug spray, the essential elements of a package or label include text; graphics; regulatory information; photos; CMYK, RGB, and 3D images; templates; line art; logos; layouts; and PDFs—to name just a few. The process of making that package involves every stage in the packaging supply chain, from engineering to marketing and legal to purchasing and production. Factor in additional legal requirements and regulatory information for food, pharmaceuticals, and other regulated industries, version