Agfa Graphics Shows and Demonstrates New Products at Print World 2008

New faster chem-free plate, CtP system, workflow software and UV inkjet printer among technologies available for demos

Agfa Graphics announced today that several new products are making their Canadian debut at Print World, which runs November 22 through November 24 at Exhibition Place in Toronto, Canada.

Among the new products and services is Agfa’s :Azura TS thermal CtP plate, a market-leading, chemistry-free plate that offers up to 50% higher throughput and even sharper contrast for visual inspections. :Azura TS uses Agfa’s patented ThermoFuseTM technology, which physically bonds images to the plate without any chemical processing. The result is highly stable and predictable imaging with no compromises on press. The plate is FM capable and rated for press runs of about 100,000 impressions (subject to press conditions). Its improved contrast offers simple and clear visual inspection of the image prior to mounting on press, which minimizes any errors. It has a very wide press latitude and is fully compatible with a broad range of standard press founts and inks.

Unlike regular thermal plates, :Azura TS uses a simple gumming process in a clean-out unit (COU) that makes the plates press-ready without the need for chemical processing, rinsing and gumming. Liquid consumption and waste in such COUs are considerably reduced and no chemical controls are needed. The :Azura C95 COU, also being demonstrated at the booth, has low energy requirements and a small footprint, providing further benefits for the low-to-medium-volume commercial printers who adopt the system. Agfa’s CtP experts will also be on hand showing Agfa’s broad CtP plate technologies, such as the PIA/GATF Intertech Award-winning :Energy Elite plate, and several other proven thermal, violet and low chemistry plates.

For those interested in wide-format inkjet printing, Agfa’s :Anapurna M wide-format industrial inkjet printer for indoor and outdoor signs and displays will be producing samples in the ND Graphics booth, one of Canada’s leading suppliers to the sign and image markets (booth#1100). Specially designed to handle heavy workloads, the :Anapurna M UV printer is set apart from its competition by its extremely high image quality with resolutions up to 720 x1440dpi. The :Anapurna M is designed for printing photorealistic quality POP, displays, posters, banners, exhibition panels, stage graphics, construction announcements, ad panels more.

“Print World attendees will find that Agfa continues to offer the latest solutions in workflow automation, project management, consumables, hardware, software and services,” said Ruben Silva, managing director, Agfa Graphics, Canada. “Agfa Graphics is rapidly expanding its offerings in the growing digital inkjet market with advanced wide-format inkjet printing solutions. Our experience in both imaging and emulsion technology has provided the expertise required for making an assortment of high-quality UV and solvent-based inks.”
Also featured will be a unique display showcasing the numerous capabilities of the :Dotrix Modular industrial UV inkjet press. :Dotrix is the only digital inkjet press built specifically for industrial applications. The :Dotrix showroom features folding cartons, point of purchase displays, back-lit displays, industrial labeling, flexible packaging as well as on-demand newspaper and trans-promotional printing.

:Dotrix Modular is perfect for converters specializing in folding carton, flexible printing and industrial labeling applications. It can print on a wide variety of common packaging substrates which includes multi-wall, biodegradable plastics, PE, PP, BOPP, PET as well as heat and pressure sensitive materials and more.
“:Dotrix is the most productive, cost-effective industrial inkjet press available today,” said Sheila Nysko, business development manager, :Dotrix, North America. “:Dotrix can handle short runs and versioning at an economic price. It uses solvent-free :Agorix UV-curable inks and also offers the option to integrate analog, flexo stations in-line with the digital stations. :Dotrix can integrate in-line corona treatment and virtually all finishing options from the flexo world. This includes primer when required, special in-house colors or special inks like gold, metallic and fluorescents, as well as high density white and varnish.”

Agfa will also be demonstrating its award winning-Apogee Workflow solutions including:

* :Apogee Suite - integrates and automates the print communication process from end-to-end, starting with content creation all the way through to print and post-press. :Apogee Suite contains four key products -- :Apogee Publish, :Apogee Portal 5.0, :Apogee Prepress 5.0 and :Apogee Color -- for improved workflow efficiency, productivity and higher output quality.
* :Apogee Media - flexible content management and editorial workflow platform designed to assist with the workflow of high-volume, print-based or web-based media projects.
* :InkSave - an integrated and automated option to :Apogee Prepress that intelligently applies a high degree of Grey Component Replacement (GCR) to reduce the amount of ink used while maintaining a high quality color output. In addition to using up to 30% less ink, :InkSave provides greater grey balance control on press, faster drying times and better tolerance to mis-registration on press.