More from IPEX...
Driftgate buys Europe's first PEARLhdp digital proofer......
Commercial colour printer Driftgate Press is strengthening its CTP environment with a new PlateMaster system and PEARLhdp52 digital proofing system from Sakurai Machinery. The installation, which is planned for just after Ipex, will be the first in Europe of the PEARLhdp. The proofer is not yet available outside the US and it will be shown in the UK for the first time on the Sakurai Machinery stand (5-330) at Ipex.
"We moved into the CTP arena two years ago with a PlateMaster 52 from Sakurai, with which we have a close relationship," says Driftgate managing director Keith Maylin. "We now handle all our plate origination with it, and we only use film when it is supplied to us in that form, which is for just about 10 per cent of our print work.
"Our current PlateMaster is performing admirably and producing good quality press-ready plates, but we decided we wanted to upgrade it to the newer, faster model which is now available. It also made sense to buy a proofer, and as the PlateMaster is based on Presstek's PEARL imaging technology the PEARLhdp is the obvious choice."
The PEARLhdp52 and PEARLhdp 74 are expandable, daylight-running, thermal, halftone digital proofing systems based on PEARL IR-laser diode technology and can produce quality, high-resolution (up to 2,540dpi) screened proofs up to 200lpi. It is anticipated that Driftgate Press will install the PEARLhpd shown on the Sakurai stand at Ipex, providing the go-ahead company with another first: it was the first to install the PlateMaster 52 in the UK.
Aylesbury-based Driftgate Press has had a close association with Sakurai since its formation by Mr Maylin 14 years ago. The all-Oliver house began with one single-colour Oliver press, and has had 11 since then, the latest being a 252EII two-colour machine which was installed in February. The company, which now employs 17 and has a turnover of œ1.2m, currently has four Olivers which are replaced every six years.
sakurai.co.uk
Interesting to note....In a joint release from Heidelberg/Kodak Polychrome/CREO, information was provided regarding the CREO trendsetter's use as a hdp proofer....and the potential market size in Europe. They estimate sales of new digital proofing systems at $150,000,000 PER YEAR! With the Presstek/Imation system at 50% the price of the CREO product and the fact that Presstek provides a platesetter/proofer combination and CREO does not....I see the excellent upcoming revenue, as Presstek moves in for their share of this action in the months ahead. Let's see....Can anyone name all of the many suppliers lined up to sell Presstek's products in Europe?
Neil
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