Fogra’s First Chem-free CtP Workflow Certification Goes to Agfa Customer

German Printer Schmidt Roemhild Produces Measurably Uniform High Quality Offset with :Azura and without Chemical Processing.

Mortsel, Belgium - October 20, 2006, Agfa Graphics announced today that :Azura user Schmidt Roemhild, based in Luebeck, Germany, is the first printing company to receive a Fogra certification in compliance with the institute’s process standard for offset using a chemistry-free CtP workflow.

With roots dating back to 1579, Schmidt Roemhild’s claim to fame is that they are the oldest printer in Germany. The company installed a complete Agfa prepress workflow in the autumn of 2005, including :ApogeeX workflow management software, :SherpaProof contract proofing and an :Xcalibur45 thermal CtP system imaging :Azura chemistry-free printing plates. The digital solution from Agfa Graphics has given the company unparalleled stability with consistent high print quality and productivity. “Today, we print any file according to a measurably uniform standard,” says Schmidt Roemhild general manager, Thor-Leif Jepsen. “As we looked at the dependable print quality shortly after the installation of the Agfa technology, it was clear to us that a Fogra certification was only a small step away. Our certification was concluded in under four weeks.”

About :Azura.
:Azura is a thermal negative working plate specially designed for low to medium volume commercial printing. Its ThermoFuse technology removes all processing variables from digital platemaking. The result is highly stable and predictable thermal imaging that effectively eliminates variables and compromises on press. :Azura is suitable for run lengths up to 100,000 impressions. The plate is in use with more than 1,000 printing companies around the world.

Agfa patented ThermoFuse is also available in Agfa’s low-chemistry :Amigo plate as well as the process-free :Thermolite plate for on-press imaging.

ThermoFuse technology uses millions of individual, heat-sensitive thermoplastic pearls that are melted and fused together to form a firm bond to the aluminium substrate in its exposed areas. In the unexposed areas, the pearls are easily removed by a mild alkaline clean-out solution, which is a fraction of the amount of chemistry that a standard digital plate uses. About Schmidt Roemhild.

Schmidt Roemhild, based in Lübeck, Germany, has roots dating back to 1579, making it one of the oldest printers in Germany. The company is part of the Beleke media group (Essen) and employs 30 people. Its ’printing for business’ principle offers demanding industry customers and agencies the complete range of services of a modern commercial printing house.


About Fogra.
Fogra Forschungsgesellschaft Druck e.V. (Fogra Graphic Technology Research Association) promotes print engineering and the research, development and application of future-oriented technologies to benefits the printing industry. Its institute has 50 staff members including engineers, chemists and physicists.

Fogra is endorsed by the German Printing and Media Industries Federation as well as the German federal authorities, the Bavarian government, the EU, the Stiftung Industrieforschung and the Bundesverband Druck und Medien, and the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Labour. Fogra has over 600 member companies, 20% of which are from outside Germany.

Contact Information

Marc Verbiest

Public Relations Manager Agfa Graphics

Agfa-Gevaert Group

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