HighWater CTP Installs UK’s First CRON Computer-to-Plate

HighWater CTP has announced details of the first in a series of CRON computer-to-plate installations; it begins with an install at The Practical Printer, Leicester. The CRON TP36 B2-format thermal CtP unit is configured with a single plate auto-loader, and StudioRIP Workflow Edition front-end. Plates for imaging come from Kodak with its Thermal Direct product.

Commenting on the purchase, Neil Womersley, Managing Director of The Practical Printer, said: “Prior to making this purchase decision we had been producing film with an imagesetter and exposing plates on a plate-frame. The imagesetter was beginning to show signs of age, and we knew that we had to take the step up to CtP. Having started by looking at used equipment, we were delighted to find out how affordable the CRON unit was, and that helped to finalise our decision.”

The CRON TP36 B2-format thermal platesetter is able to image plates at resolutions from 1800 through to 2800 dpi on plate sizes from 240 x 320mm through to a maximum size of 925 x 660mm.

StudioRIP Workflow Edition incorporates a range of features including post-RIP imposition, in-RIP trapping, ink duct control software, second order stochastic screening (hybrid AM screening included as standard), TIFF output, multiple print engine output, and digital proofing output. The software RIP is compatible with PostScript Level 3 and PDF 1.7, and is designed for high performance imaging tasks, making it suitable for interfacing to a wide range of computer-to-plate systems, imagesetters, inkjet, laser printers, and now all known direct imaging presses.

“The CRON and StudioRIP package has moved us forward significantly with regards to productivity and technology. We recently had to produce 50 plates for a booklet that we were printing. It took us just two hours. Using our previous equipment that would have taken at least two days,” said Neil Womersley. “The imposition package on the StudioRIP really speeds up the whole process, in addition to the fast and accurate platemaking.”

Whilst he had expected to make time savings regarding on-press preparation and faster make-ready, Neil hadn’t anticipated the speed benefits in the plate making part of the process. “It really does image the plates quickly and accurately,” he confirmed.

The CRON CtP unit was sold via the UK distributor HighWater CTP, with installation and after sales support provided by Marlowe Graphic Services.

Derek Sizer, Managing Director of HighWater CTP, said: “This is the first of a number of installations to be announced over the next few weeks and the comments from Mr Womersley emphasise just how competitively priced the CRON machine is even compared to used equipment. Our package of CRON CTP and StudioRIP with service and support from Marlowe Graphic Services is a real winner for printers looking to replace their imagesetter or upgrade their old CtP and, as Mr Womersley found out, speed is not sacrificed for price.”

Twenty-two years old, The Practical Printer employs a team of four at its Leicester premises, where it produces a wide range of commercial print for customers in the Leicester area.

For further information on The Practical Printer call 0116 253 1222 or visit the www.practicalprinter.com web site.

For more details on the range of CRON CtP solutions visit the www.highwater.co.uk web site.