Background
Gamut was a company dedicated to making quality flexographic printing plates using solvent washed plates with high definition flexo imaging in its prepress operation. However, the lack of local technical service and support from its former plate supplier resulted in problems of low solid ink density and inconsistent plate production.
Implementation
After forming the new company, Flexo Digital, José Ramón Hernández, Managing Director, wanted to implement a state-of-the-art flexographic prepress operation in order to supply his customers in the packaging and label industries with the highest and most consistent quality printing plates. In addition, he wanted to employ greater efficiency in his prepress workflow and plate production while at the same time, manage his costs and environmental responsibilities wisely.
After evaluating several plate and equipment suppliers, Hernández made the decision to go with a nyloflex® Xpress Thermal Processing System FIV, a nyloflex® Combi FIII exposure/light finisher and a ThermoFlexX 48 imager – all from XSYS. He is currently using the thermal plates, nyloflex® XVH and XPM, and is delighted with the results. According Hernández, “With XSYS nyloflex® Xpress technology, I was able to reach the most consistent ink laydown coverage in comparison with other technologies, including solvent plates.”
Hernández continues, “Our evaluation of the nyloflex® Xpress Thermal System is the only one in which we were able to produce plates that surpassed the print performance of what our customers believed to be the best printing plate in our region.” Now, with the nyloflex® plates, our customers are printing consistently with excellent solid ink density, and we are able to make plates for them in about an hour, since no drying time is required.”
In addition to citing cost savings from 94% lower electrical consumption of the nyloflex® Xpress Thermal Processing System as compared to the former solvent processing system, Flexo Digital has been able to reduce plate production time from 5 hours down to 1 hour. The company is also pleased with the reduction of solvent and vapors from the plate room, which helps them to meet their sustainability goals.
Result
Flexo Digital is positioned as a leading prepress supplier in Central America with customers ranging from flexible packing and corrugated to labels. When asked about the business relationship with XSYS, Hernández states “It is a very open and friendly relationship providing us with a higher level of trust and confidence than we had before. We are more than partners; we are like a family. The service is exceptional, and I believe Flexo Digital will grow and take additional market share now, with such a faithful and loyal supplier as XSYS,” Hernández concludes.
