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Do more with Flexo

Do more with Flexo. Grant Blewett Segment marketing manager EAMER. Agenda. Why the need for a new digital plate making system. Understanding the limitations of modern CTP for Flexo. Introducing the Kodak Flexcel NX system. Introducing a breakthrough for Aqueous and Solvent printing.

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Do more with Flexo

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  1. Do more with Flexo Grant Blewett Segment marketing manager EAMER

  2. Agenda • Why the need for a new digital plate making system. • Understanding the limitations of modern CTP for Flexo. • Introducing the Kodak Flexcel NX system. • Introducing a breakthrough for Aqueous and Solvent printing. • Business benefits.

  3. Why invent a new digital flexo plate system? • Flexo had a significant constant growth in packaging printing since its introduction more than 75 years ago • Digital flexo plates have been available for over a decade • Flexo is now the leading print process for packaging 1930 Laser Ablative Flexo System Today Kodak Flexcel NX

  4. The challenge Yet the most common complaints from printers are still based on technical limitations such as: • Unacceptable color matching to proof and other print processes. • Inconsistency in the process • Unpredictability of resultsjob-to-job, and run-to-run Flexo has to move forward to meet the demands of brand owners and printers

  5. File Plate Print Typical LAMS plate processing and results Original tonal values 0% - 100% Flexo tries to match the original image Uncorrected plate loses dots in highlights, first dots at 10% area (example for 150lpi) Without adjustment it fails, leaving hard edges Uncorrected print shows hard edge

  6. File Plate Print Typical LAMS plate processing and results Bump is applied to compensate highlight loss,tonal range is compressed to 10% - 100% A bump curve is used to set the minimum dot size Compensated plate values range 2-3%-100% Flexo tries to match the original image Final compensated print

  7. LAMS plates: a renown limitation

  8. Effects of “round top” surface Considering a typical LAMS dot profile cross section • Measurability • Inking & Printing predictability Kiss impression = ? % dot 3 µ Impression = 4% dot 6 µ impression = 9% dot • How do we calibrate? • What will it print?

  9. File Plate Print Results with the Flexcel NX System Original Tonal Range 0% - 100% Original offset separation Plate tonal range 0% (0.4%) – 100% Up to 300 lpi – 120 lpcm Result: gravure class reproduction of the original

  10. How do we solve this with Flexcel NX

  11. LAMS plate vs. Flexcel NX plate • Flexcel NX System achieves stable flat top dot structure • Provides consistent structure and repeatability on press

  12. LAMS plate vs. Flexcel NX plate • Flexcel NX System achieves stable flat top dot structure • Provides consistent structure and repeatability on press

  13. Kodak DigiCapNX Screening • Deliver greater shelf impact at the same or lower price Boosting ink transfer in flexo printing

  14. An additional Flexo challenge Especially when printing on filmswith solvent inks: Insufficient density Uneven ink laydown Narrow color gamut Limitations in these areas mean: Flexo print lacks the visual impact of gravure Print that lacks brilliance Many special colors are used Split plates are common More expensive inks and higher volume anilox

  15. What’s wrong with traditional digital flexo? Efficient ink transfer is always an issue, especially with solvent inks on flexible substrates Traditional Digital Flexo Black • Split plates and high volume anilox are often required to get required opacity • Poor ink transfer throughout tonal scale contributes to reduced color gamut • Voids in printed solids reduce the visual impact

  16. Previous attempts to improve ink transfer Plate surface texturization has long been thought to hold the key to improved ink transfer: Traditional plate cell patterning • Mechanical methods have been tried • Plate coatings have been tried • Digitally imaged plate cell patterning has been tried But none have delivered dramatic improvements or been consistently successful

  17. Take a closer look: 4pt Text @ 30X magnification Kodak DigiCap NX Screening Applied No surface texturization Traditional Plate Cell Patterning Applied

  18. Now at 60X magnification Kodak DigiCap NX Screening Applied No surface texturization Traditional Plate Cell Patterning Applied

  19. A 70% tint at 250X magnification Kodak DigiCap NX Screening Applied No surface texturization Traditional Plate Cell Patterning Applied

  20. Real prints show the power of Kodak DigiCap NX Screening Flexcel NX Plate with Kodak DigiCap NX Screening applied Traditional Digital Flexo Smooth ink laydown Same press, same ink, same anilox, same substrate

  21. Higher density gives increased color gamut Expanded color gamut delivered by Flexcel NX System with Kodak DigiCap NX Screening applied Traditional Digital Flexo color gamut Kodak DigiCap NX Screening is not just for solid areas… Higher densities throughout the FULL tonal range enable significantly expanded color gamut

  22. Achieve better printing today Differentiated Print At standard print conditions and line screens Flexcel NX Plates dramatically improve the visual impact of your print. Print Buyers are impressed with the strong colors and clean tones. Deliver print with greater visual impact Same print conditions: • Higher densities • Cleaner tones • Finer detail • Greater contrast

  23. Explore new opportunities tomorrow Differentiated Print Designs that were previously only achievable with roto-gravure are now in regular flexo production with Flexcel NX Plates. Co-printing designs can restore profitability to short runs jobs. • Do more with process color printing • Make co-printed designs a reality • Open the door for gravure class quality • Optimize your press • Print up to 175 lpi in regular production • Give brand owners greater design freedom

  24. Kodak DigiCap NX Screening Business Benefit Taking flexo where it has never been before: • Gravure like print quality at 175lpi • Impactful densities • High contrast for maximum shelf impact • Expanded color gamut, more 4 color process • Opening the door for co-printed designs

  25. In summary Differentiated Print Flexcel NX System Opportunities • Greater visual impact • Differentiated print offerings • Stable, consistent, robust printing • Profitable, shorter runs • Ink and substrate savings • Simplified production • More billable hours • Sustainability improvements Trends and Realities of Today • Brand integrity • Complex graphics • Print inconsistencies • Price pressures • Increasing costs • Production complexity • Global competition • Environmental pressures Production Efficiencies Waste Reduction

  26. Questions?

  27. Thank you for your attention

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