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Innovation

May 2009

Your Portal to the Global Flexographic Industry

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2 www.flexoglobal.com May 2009FlexoGlobal

Features

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Publisher & Editor-in-ChiefLaura Wayland-Smith Hatch

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Volume 2 No. 4

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Contents

Innovation!......................................................................... 6

Laura Wayland-Smith Hatch, FlexoGlobal

Steve Jobs was at the forefront of the Mac GUI (Graphic User Interface) tech-nology; he revolutionized computing power, making personal computers user friendly and accessible to “non-geeks” for the first time. He ignored the naysay-ers who believed that computers would never become the small, easy-to-to-use tools that every business and almost every household depends upon to day. He was an innovator, and continues to be so today.

Kodak Innovation Scores with Label Printers .................................8

Dr. John Anderson, Global Future Marketing Flexo; Emma Schlotthauer, Global Current Marketing Flexo; Thomas Kowalski, Flexo Plate Application Specialist, Eastman Kodak

Why is a new flexo plate-making system from Kodak causing such a stir amongst label printers? If you’re a flexo label printer and can answer yes to any of the fol-lowing questions, then it’s probably worth reading on to find out.

Hybrid AM Screening/XM Screening .................................. 16

Gordon Pritchard

Hybrid AM screening (a.k.a. XM screening) is a method to compensate for resolution issues in the print production process in either plate, plate imaging, processing, press condition, or a combination of those areas. When there is an issue with resolution, it typically reveals itself as an inability to hold small dots in highlights and/or shadows.

mailto:[email protected]



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FlexoGlobalTM

Contents

Breakthrough in Producing Printed Memory ........................ 26

An interview By Dr. Peter Harrop, Chairman, IDTechEx Ltd., with Johan Carlsson, President & CEO of Thinfilm, & Kwang-Choon Chung, President & CEO of InkTec.

Thin Film Electronics, an Oslo, Norway, based Company with R&D facilities in Linkoping, Sweden, known as Thinfilm, and InkTec Co. Ltd, known as InkTec, have together made a breakthrough in producing printed memory on flexible substrates. Here Dr Peter Harrop of analyst’s IDTechEx, interviews Johan Carls-son, President and CEO of Thinfilm and Kwang-Choon Chung, President and CEO of InkTec, about the latest development.

Sponsor News EskoArtworks’ newly released ArtiosCAD 7.4 offers easier design and project management tools .................................................................................................................. 30

“First-Class Seminar”.............................................................................................................. 33

EskoArtwork to showcase HD Flexo plate imaging technology to achieve offset quality @ PacPrint 09 ................................................................................................ 34

2009 Flexographic Solutions Tour™ Enjoys Triumphant Kickoff in Rochester ............................................................................................................................... 35

Part 2 - 4000dpi - Is It Really Revolutionary For Flexo?......................................... 35

Harper Donates to Clemson’s Sonoco Institute of Packaging Design and Graphics ....................................................................................................................................... 38

Strong and Safe” Product Line Launches With a Free Gift Pack ...................... 38

Fox Valley Technical College - Knowledge That Works ............ 42

Founding Sponsors:FLXON, Inc. ......................................................................................................................................5

Harper Corporation ....................................................................................................... 7 & 29

Eastman Kodak ............................................................................................................11 & 31

Platinum Sponsors:EskoArtwork ...................................................................................................................................5

Flexocleaners.com ................................................................................................................... 15

Max Daetwyler Corporation ................................................................................................ 19

The Provident Group............................................................................................................... 21



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Editorial

Laura Wayland-Smith HatchPublisher & Editor-in-Chief

Anyone who knows me knows that I’ve always been a huge Apple fan. I enthusiastically made the move from

ancient, non-intuitive CPM technology in the mid 1980s to a “modern” Mac to publish my first book.

Steve Jobs was at the forefront of the Mac GUI (Graphic User Interface) technology; he revolutionized computing power, making personal computers user friendly and ac-cessible to “non-geeks” for the first time. He ignored the naysayers who believed that computers would never be-come the small, easy-to-to-use tools that every business and almost every household depends upon to day. He was an innovator, and continues to be so today.

“Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.” — Steve Jobs

Steve knew that to be successful that he could not be a fol-lower. He needed to be a leader, inspiring the people within his company to new heights of creativity—both in technol-ogy and marketing. Even in tough times, or should I say es-pecially in hard times, he encouraged people to take risks, to think outside the box.

Forward ThinkingToday, few of us have remained untouched by the economic challenges of the recent year, and many companies have tak-en what I call a reactive approach to weather the financial storm. They have withdrawn into what they believe is a self-

preservation mode, focusing on cost-cutting measures and staff reductions. It’s a deadly cycle that destroys employees’ morale and loyalty and can, ultimately, destroy a company rather than help it survive. It’s a natural reaction, but it is not forward thinking.

So, let’s leave the doom and gloom behind! Instead of al-lowing reactive responses to dominate, now is the time for leaders to step forward with proactive and innovative solu-tions.

Now is the time to do some strategic planning, investigate new product development, and focus on researching your customers’ needs. Ask them what their wish lists are—what services and products they would like to see offered.

“In troubled times a business needs enduring values, the best talent, and an ability to ‘zoom out’

and see past the chaos in front of it.” — Jim Collins - Author of “Good to Great”

Don’t allow the economic chaos around you to take control of your future. Become a leader. Look within at the innova-tive and creative assets that are your employees, share your hopes and concerns, and harness their energy and ingenuity to begin building that forward motion.

Like Steve Jobs, imagine the possibilities!

Innovation




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Technology

Kodak Innovation Scores with Label Printers

Dr. John Anderson, Global Future Marketing Flexo, Eastman Kodak Emma Schlotthauer, Global Current Marketing Flexo, Eastman Kodak Thomas Kowalski, Flexo Plate Application Specialist, Eastman Kodak

Why is a new flexo plate-making system from Kodak causing such a stir amongst label printers? If you’re

a flexo label printer and can answer yes to any of the follow-ing questions, then it’s probably worth reading on to find out.

Are there times that you struggle to compete with offset and digital for print quality and consistency? Would it be of value if you could print better quality and with better plate life on uncoated stocks? Would you like to be able to expand the range of security and microtext features you can

offer clients? If you had a chance to do any or ALL of the above AND increase your robustness and efficiencies on press at the same time, wouldn’t that be tempting?

The KODAK FLEXCEL NX Digital Flexographic System opens new doors for Flexo printing of labels, while meeting modern production demands.

The FLEXCEL NX System received the FFTA/Flexo Mar-ket News Technical Innovation Award in Orlando on May 3, 2009, adding to a collection of similar awards from the



Get the new Kodak Flexcel NX Digital Flexographic System and challenge the traditional boundaries of flexo printing. Now you can print jobs never before possible with flexo. And help grow your business in ways you never imagined. Outstanding results. No compromises. Just gravure class quality in a revolutionary system that will change the way you look at flexo printing. Only from Kodak. Giving you the power to get more business.

Visit kodak.com/go/flexo©Kodak, 2008. Kodak and Flexcel are trademarks of Kodak.

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Technology

FPPA (Flexographic Pre-Press Platemakers Association) and PIA/GATF (Printing Industries of America/Graphic Arts Technical Foundation) in 2008. Much has been writ-ten and said about the FLEXCEL NX System—some correct, some incorrect—and yet its performance and ap-plication on press is gaining it increased usage daily as com-panies look to improve productivity and profitability going forward in this tough economy.

Narrow-web printers and converters using FLEXCEL NX are also winning a good number of print awards—from the FTA, PIA of Southern California, and others—particularly in the narrow-web and label markets, where the abilities to practically print commercially at AM screens up to 300 lpi or FM screening at 20 micron are opening many doors as Flexo competes with offset and digital printing and differ-entiating them from other flexo printers.

So why invent a new digital plate-making system?Digital laser ablative mask system (LAMS) flexographic plates that make use of a black mask layer on the surface of the photopolymer are not new; they were introduced in 1995 and have been in regular use for more than a decade. The consumer goods companies who buy our printed prod-ucts regularly complain about the lack of predictability, consistency, and repeatability of Flexo. While it can pro-duce print quality to compete with offset, gravure, and digi-tal printing, they never knew day to day what they would get. This issue grew to such an extent that in Europe there was a trend back from Flexo to gravure for the consistency and predictability they desired. This confirmed that digital LAMS plates were not helping Flexo grow, and, in many cases, were holding it back.

Kodak re-evaluated the situation, and it was clear that critical to the plate inconsistency was imaging of the black mask and then the plate exposure through the black mask with oxygen present, causing dot shrinkage and rounded bullet-shaped dots. To address this, Kodak created an alter-native way of making the digital Flexo plate, using proven KODAK SQUAREspot Imaging Technology, from offset, a FLEXCEL NX Thermal Imaging Layer, lamination, and no oxygen inhibition. The result is the KODAK FLEX-CEL NX Digital Flexographic System.

So, the FLEXCEL NX System was created to address many of these issues and to produce unprecedented flexo plate ca-pabilities using a flat top dot structure and 1:1 image trans-fer from the digital file to the plate, pixel for pixel.

What are the benefits to the users?One of the reasons that narrow-web and label printers have taken to FLEXCEL NX so well is that many already had higher line, lower volume anilox rolls and higher specifi-cation inks, etc., to print process work and the like at up to 150 lpi today. So, for them the transition was easier, the components were in place, and the one piece missing was the higher capability plate.

Quality to compete with offset and digital print with photo-realistic imagesProcess printing is essential to label printers competing with offset and digital, where the less that needs to be done to files already prepared for one of those technologies, the easier it is for the buyer or printer to move the jobs to Flexo. To achieve good process printing, the predictability of the plates and the color achieved is critical to productivity and performance, throughout the production run and when re-using the plate on reruns.

When you trust the accuracy of the reproduction and the stability of the printing process, it allows greater use of pro-cess printing. With other flexo plates, it is difficult to pre-

Rounded LAMS Dots Image




dict that every dot is going to print throughout the run, so jobs using process color separations could look different from the beginning of the run to the end.

With traditional digital flexo plates it’s safer to use spot col-ors to get consistent color, but using spot colors adds cost in terms of both materials and time. On press, converters using process color separations typically use fewer plates per job. Also, they reduce the time it takes to set up and switch jobs, increasing both their productivity and their flexibility.

Because the imager uses KODAK SQUAREspot Imaging Technology—the same thermal imaging technology used in high-resolution offset plate making—it produces ex-tremely accurate dots on the Thermal Imaging Layer. The dots imaged on the layer are a perfect match to the pixels in the ripped file. The intimate contact between the imaged emulsion on the imaging layer and the photopolymer dur-ing the lamination step ensures 1:1 transfer of these dots from the layer to the plate.

Having the 1:1 image transfer from the digital file to the plate with FLEXCEL NX allows for a full tonal range us-ing all 256 gray levels, enabling process printing to achieve predictable print results with greater contrast and image definition for images that are typically challenging for flexo. With the flat-top dot structure, higher ink transfer is

Squarespot Image

1:1:1 Image




Technology

achieved without loss of image quality through impression changes, resulting in stable expanded color gamut capabili-ties when using process printing.

Achieving higher print capabilities on a wide varieties of substrates, including uncoated The label industry is increasingly using a wide variety of printing stocks, whether coated, uncoated, or specialty for functional, artistic, or financial reasons. The ability to print higher capability graphics, even on the uncoated substrates that are popular today for wine labels, is highly appealing to the industry competing daily against offset and digital printing. As an example, Labeltronix from California, who in April and May won awards at both the PIA of Southern California and the FTA, prints routinely on coated stock up to 300 lpi (118 lcm) and 20 micron FM screening, as well as uncoated stock up to 279 lpi (109 lcm).

Flat Top Dot 3D Image

Because flexo depends on pressure to transfer the ink to the substrate, variations in the substrate and impression pres-sure applied by the operator can cause inconsistencies. Of-ten with traditional digital flexo plates, operators can have a significant effect on the print result though impression changes. Rounded dots will print small dots with light pres-sure, and they will print larger dots as pressure increases. The differences in print surface height between dots and solid areas cause speed differences than can increase dot slur, banding, and or gear marking. The flat-top dots on Kodak’s plates print consistently despite impression variation, flat-top dots print the correct size dot with light pressure, and

the change in dot size is minimal even as pressure increases. Wide impression latitude and low sensitivity to impression settings, even on uncoated stocks, enable faster press setup and greater print stability, not only for maintaining print quality during a single run, but for achieving the same print quality on subsequent runs.

Critical to the success on more challenging substrates and surfaces like uncoated or envelope stock is the dot structure and its effect on plate life. With its flat-top dot structure and even height of solids and tone, the FLEXCEL NX Plate distributes the impression pressures, reducing stresses and wear, increasing plate life and giving a greater advan-tage on these lower-cost and more-challenging substrates. This extended plate life is allowing printers to run longer, or more commonly reuse plates more and more for reruns, meaning even greater consistency run to run, achieving the customer’s expectations of predictability of final print, re-ducing costs, and improving sustainability.

Printed security features and micro text down to 0.5ptThe product label is a key component in the front line as many companies fight against the counterfeit producers, with many overt and covert security methods available. One of the potentially simplest methods for security is to add data or an identifier to the print that can only be seen under magnification, such as micro text. The addition of these features using FLEXCEL NX is relatively simple as a line or box around an item, or incorporated into more so-phisticated designs. It adds significant value to the label for the buyer, and to date has been commercially applied to la-bels between 0.8 and 0.5 pt text. Other options that benefit from the 1:1 image transfer of FLEXCEL NX capabilities are 2D bar codes and other overt security features that can also be optionally combined with covert security features like the KODAK TRACELESS System.

A key part of the FLEXCEL NX process that makes this possible is the lamination step. In addition to providing 1:1 transfer of the dots to the plate, lamination removes all oxy-gen from between the layer and the plate. When oxygen is present during plate exposure, it causes what is known as “oxygen inhibition.” Oxygen slows the dot formation on the plate, resulting in dots that are not full height and that are bullet shaped—they have narrow bases and rounded tops. With Kodak’s flexo system, lamination eliminates the




oxygen inhibition problem, so the dots on the plate are the correct size and full height with stable bases and flat tops. Because of the oxygen present during exposure of traditional digital plates, on the other hand, dots on these plates shrink during exposure, have rounded tops and narrow bases, and small dots do not reach full height, making small features like micro text very hit and miss in production.

On Kodak’s plates, even the smallest dots and lines in the original file are created on the plate as full height, printable dots.

Productivity in production, essential for profitability in short- and long-run workFlexo printers using traditional digital Flexo plates typically spend significant time setting up the press to achieve sign off, even with modern fast change presses, the time and ma-

terials used to bring the print to color varies tremendously, with often some parts of the print coming in quickly, but a long time then required to get the rest into color, with po-tentially visible differences with multi-repeat labels in the final results.

Making the FLEXCEL NX Plates very predictable, having the solids and tone at the same height, means that all types of printers report that the plates come in together, very quickly and very consistently. This has allowed label print-ers to generally reduce setup time, waste less material, and in some cases turn their Flexo press into an “on-demand” operation, competing directly with digital print. The pre-dictability of the plates and their performance is critical to allowing customers to update their business models and achieve greater profitability.

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Technology

Having predictability in prepress can also enable you to successfully automate your process for added efficiency and productivity, and it helps to eliminate unnecessary plate remakes. On press, predictability can help printers signifi-cantly reduce the time and material spent on make ready. In addition, repeat runs are easier to set up when you know that the prints will look the same as those from previous runs.

Predictability is only one piece. To truly get cost and pro-ductivity benefits, a printer needs to be able to get the most out of each and every plate. Making new plates and stop-ping and restarting the press to clean plates or change plates are the real time and money burners.

Narrow-web printers and converters increasingly are print-ing shorter and shorter production runs, with more jobs repeated daily, weekly, or monthly instead of being pro-duced in one long run and stored, so setup time and repeat-able reusability of the plates is critical to the productivity and profitability of the operation. The flat tops and stable bases of the printing dots created with Kodak’s system are the secret to the durability of Kodak’s plates. Durability enables longer run lengths, increased resistance to damage from cleaning, and consistent color throughout the print run. They also allow the reuse of the plates more often, with quick changeovers, especially when using consistent ink/anilox/tape combinations.

Helping to drive the flexo industry forward as a whole?It has been said by many that the FLEXCEL NX System is having a very positive change on the Flexo industry as a whole already. It is clear that the efforts to develop prepress solutions to try to match it is causing suppliers to invest more in R&D for Flexo, and that can only be good for the industry after many years of few significant changes.

In response to FLEXCEL NX, options using combina-tions of higher LPI and screening technologies are coming forward, and although showing improvements in areas like text and edge smoothness, the underlying individual tech-

nologies are neither new nor revolutionary. Increasing the imaging resolution from 2540 to 4000 dpi increases the data to RIP and image by about 2.7 times each, and you just can’t spin the drum fast enough to make that lost produc-tivity up without potential issues in imaging and equipment life. The use of advanced screening technologies for dot en-hancement is nothing new and has been winning awards since 2003, when KODAK HYPERFLEX Software won a GATF InterTech award. However, none of these address the fundamental issues of traditional digital plates—the rounded tops and the effects of oxygen inhibition. Kodak is the only supplier of digital plates to fundamentally address the profile of the printing surface itself, and the FLEXCEL NX results speak for themselves.

What’s next?Brand owners, printers, converters, and trade shops using Kodak’s new system are impressed with the gains in print productivity and efficiency that they’re seeing today, along with the obvious image capability enhancements. And the benefits they’re seeing today are the base system. Kodak re-cently added the upgrade capability to image offset plates on the system’s imager (hybrid option), allowing users to image multiple media types, the Thermal Imaging Layer for FLEXCEL NX, DITR films for making analog flexo plates, and offset plates, reducing their equipment costs by imaging everything on one device.

Also, keep your eyes open for more developments coming soon with this system. Kodak is not standing still and will have more revolutionary technology ready for commercial application soon. Work continues on software and imaging development, thermal ablative films for analog plate imag-ing, as well as washout solutions, and novel cold recycling technology for washout solution recovery that eliminate the need for distillation. Kodak has long been a leading in-novator in the offset printing industry, and now that it has set its sights on the packaging segment, you can expect to see some exciting new solutions.

For more information visit www.kodak.com/go/flexo



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Technology

Hybrid AM Screening/XM Screening

By Gordon Pritchard

Editor’s Foreword: This article is a consolidation of a series of four sequential blogs, each building on feedback and questions from readers of the previous postings. The original readership for the

blogs at http://qualityinprint.blogspot.com are mainly in the commercial printing industry, and so some of the examples focus there, but the information and methodology explained are equally

applicable to other print processes, especially flexo where hybrid AM screening originated.



http://qualityinprint.blogspot.com


Hybrid AM screening (a.k.a. XM screening) is a meth-od to compensate for resolution issues in the print

production process in either plate, plate imaging, process-ing, press condition, or a combination of those areas. When there is an issue with resolution, it typically reveals itself as an inability to hold small dots in highlights and/or shad-ows. For example, in this image:

Poor resolution has caused tone clipping—a loss of high-light dots on the girl's cheek and hair as well as plugging and loss of detail in the shadows.

This screening method began in flexography as a way to re-cover the loss of highlight and shadow dots resulting from the low-resolution rubber-like plates and plate exposure methods used in that process.

In flexography, small highlight dots either fail to image on plate, or if they do, they may not have the strength to hold up under pressure on press and simply bend over, creating "scum" dots and harsh tone breaks. This screening method has recently been marketed to offset printers as a way to re-

cover highlight and shadow tones that might otherwise be lost.

The underlying screening technology is typically the ven-dor's conventional AM screen and is indistinguishable from it as this image shows—top gradient AM, bottom gradient Hybrid AM/XM:

The only differences occur at the extreme highlights (1%-3%) and shadows (97%-99%).

How Hybrid AM/XM screens overcome resolution issuesHere is an unscreened gradient:

If we look at just the highlights, this is what the 1%-3% dots should look like when it's screened (in this case at 240 lpi):

However, if the plate has low resolution, or the CtP device has problematic resolution, or if the plate processing has is-sues, or the press condition is not optimal, then there may be a loss of highlight dots. In this example, the 1% dots are lost:

Hybrid AM/XM screening recovers the lost part of the tone range by constraining the size of highlight and shadow dots so they never get smaller than a size that can be held through the plating/printing process. For example, if the smallest reproducible dot is a 2% or 98% dot, then that is the smallest the system will image. Recovering the 1% tone




Technology

when only 2% dots can be used is done by imaging 50% of those 2% dots in the 1% tone area. The result looks like this:

Hybrid AM/XM screens are so called because they lever-age a technique borrowed from FM screening (see February 26, 2009 blog entry). Dots are all the same size (2% in this example), placed in pseudo-random fashion with their fre-quency (number) changed to vary the tone.

Here is a 4/C conventional AM screened image:

Compare this with a Hybrid AM/XM image:

Although these are at different lpis, you can see the impor-tant difference that is at the extreme highlights of the gradi-ent.

Possible issues with Hybrid AM/XM screeningThe dots used in flat tone areas are discontinuous as is shown here with a 3% AM tone on the left and 3% Hybrid AM/XM tone on the right:

This can result in grainy appearing flat tone areas, pastels, and light screen tone values of black. The larger highlight




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dots are subject to more dot gain as solid ink density varies and, hence, may become more visible in the reproduction. Gradients may appear "noisy" at the transition from gradi-ent to unprinted page.

Evaluating Hybrid AM/XM screening offerings• OnlycompareAMandHybridAM/XMscreeningat

the same lpi (i.e. 175 lpi AM to 175 lpi Hybrid AM/XM or 240 lpi AM to 240 lpi Hybrid AM/XM).

• A1%dota240lpiisasinglepixelimagedat2400dpi(10.6 micron).

• A1%dota150lpiistwopixels(10.6microneach)imaged at 2400 lpi (21 micron).

• Donotassumethattheinabilitytoprintasinglepixelis the fault of the press. A press in reasonable mechani-cal/chemical condition can print a 240 lpi AM screen.

Separate the print production process to plate, plate imaging, processing, and press condition to determine where the resolution limitation is taking place.

• Inprinting,thetonescaleistypicallyidenticaltothevendor's conventional AM screen offering - only the size of highlight and shadow dots are constrained. The range of tones that are constrained may be predeter-mined/preset by the vendor, or many be adjustable by the customer, depending on the vendor's implementa-tion.

• Vendorsdifferentiatethemselvesbyhowwelltheirscreens transition to the XM tone area and the smoothness of those tones.

• Vendorsalsodifferentiatethemselvesbywhethertheyallow the printer to set the minimum dot sizes them-selves or whether it is fixed at a certain value by the vendor.



http://www.daetwyler.com/ff/dyn_output.html?content.vname=home_ff


Technology

Hybrid AM Screening/XM Screening Addendum Part 1I've been asked to provide some guidance on how to go about isolating which of the problem areas (plate, plate im-aging, processing, and press condition) might be the cause of the resolution limitation that creates the need for a Hy-brid AM/XM screening workaround.

This is actually an important topic with broad-reaching implications, especially if you are considering a CtP pur-chase—no matter what halftone screening you use.

Background - Resolution vs AddressabilityAs one important feature, vendors describe their output de-vice's (CtP, inkjet, etc.) capability in terms of "dots per inch" (dpi)outputresolution.Forexample,theFujiLuxelV-8islisted as having "Eight multiple resolutions supported from 1,200 to 3,657dpi" while the Heidelberg Suprasetter family is listed having a "resolution 2,400 or 2,540 dpi.” Unfortu-nately, dpi does not define resolution. Instead it defines "ad-dressability." In other words, dpi tells you how many loca-tions a spot of energy can be focussed on—not the actual size of the spot of energy (or splat of ink).

Resolution vs AddressabilityA CtP device uses a beam of energy to expose the plate:

The exposing beam of energy is guided by a grid—much like the grid of a city map. However, instead of locating streets using X/Y coordinates, the grid locates the target pixel lo-cation/address for the laser exposing energy:

In the above example, the addressability grid has 2,400 lo-cations per inch ("2,400 dpi"). Therefore, each location is 1/2400th of an inch, or 10.6 microns in size—the same as a 1% dot at 240 lpi. The energy beam, following the grid, is then swept across the media to expose/image it.

This graphic shows the media being exposed at 2,400 dpi by six different CtP devices:

Note that they are all 2,400 dpi—that is that they all can hit the target location with their beam of energy. However, the exposing spots of energy are all different sizes, in this example ranging from about 2 microns on the left to about 30 microns on the right.



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Technology

So, what's the big issue about using/needing a Hybrid AM/XM workaround?For CtP, if the device is unable to image a single pixel (1% dot at 240 lpi/10.6 micron at 2,400 dpi) the argument can be made that it cannot image the rest of the halftone screen tone range consistently. This is because the halftone dots themselves are made up of individual 10.6-micron spots/pixels.

Left - Coarse AM screen. Center - High lpi AM screen. Right - FM screen

On large dots, or coarse AM screens below about 133 lpi, inconsistent dot edges due to an inability to reliably image 10.6 micron pixels will have little effect on the final press-work – the loss is within the "noise" of the system. However, as halftone dots become smaller and made up with fewer pixels, as with finer screen rulings (above about 175 lpi or FM screening), the impact in dot consistency, and there-fore presswork, is much greater – one pixel lost when only 4 pixels make up the dot is a significant loss. With FM screens which may use only single pixels to make a tone, or draw "worms" as in the rightmost graphic above - the loss of a pixel or two can make a significant tone shift or contribute to a grainy appearance in flat screen tint areas.

Since the industry trend is towards finer, not coarser half-tone screens, the ability to reliably image 10.6 micron pixels, in turn it is argued, becomes more important when making an investment in CtP equipment.

Hybrid AM Screening/XM Screening Addendum Part 2

A bit of resolution detective workTo determine if a particular CtP device might be the cause of the resolution limitation that creates the need for a Hy-brid AM/XM screening workaround, one would imagine that the published specifications from the various CtP ven-dors would be the best source. So I began looking for an un-ambiguous statement of imaging capability in their imaging specifications/features. For example, for one of their CtP devices they state: "2,400 dpi, 1%-99% at 240 lpi using con-ventional AM screening (depending on plate resolution)." Unfortunately, many of the vendors don't appear to disclose information regarding their imaging capability.

The bottom lineTo determine the imaging performance of most of the CtP devices on the market, you will need to engage a sales rep-resentative to provide you with a clear statement and speci-fication in writing. At the least, the information needs to include: device "resolution" (dpi), maximum lpi, type of screening at that maximum (AM or Hybrid AM/XM), tone range using conventional AM screening (e.g. 1%-99%), and FM capability expressed in microns (e.g. 10 micron, 20, mi-cron, etc.)




Hybrid AM Screening/XM Screening - Addendum Part 3

In the Addendum, part 2, I looked at the published specifi-cations from the various CtP vendors to determine whether they provided information about their CtP device imaging capability and, hence, whether there would be a need for a Hybrid AM/XM screening workaround for specific devic-es. In general, the information they provide is quite vague. So, in this post I'll be looking for that information in the published specifications for plates.

A bit more resolution detective workOnce again Kodak (followed closely by Agfa) is the top vendor as far as clarity and consistency of stating their plate resolution capability is concerned. From the informa-tion they provide, one can tell exactly what the resolution limitation of their plates are (e.g., Agfa :Amigo supports a 21/25 micron minimum dot and requires a Hybrid AM/XM screen to go above 200 lpi . The same goes for Kodak Electra Excel.)

Some vendors provided either no, or vague information (e.g., Fuji Brillia Thermal: "Excellent tone and dot repro-duction,” Heidelberg: No information provided)

So, as with the CtP devices, in order to determine the imag-ing performance of most of the CtP plates on the market, you will need to engage a sales representative to provide you with a clear statement and specification in writing.

However, you can also run some tests yourself to validate the vendor's CtP imaging and plate combinations. To do that you will need a test target such as the PIA/GATF Digi-tal Plate Control Target.

The digital file provides a means of monitoring exposure level, checking imaging resolution, diagnosing directional effects or image inconsistencies.

Validating CtP device/plate resolution capabilityThe Digital Plate Control Target should be imaged at five locations on the plate—the center and four corners. After the plate is processed, the targets are checked under a loupe to determine the resolution capability of the CtP/plate combination. There is an informational box in the test tar-get that lists, among other things, the horizontal and verti-cal resolution as well as direction of travel through the im-aging device, which is helpful in interpreting information provided by the various targets.

Horizontal and vertical microlines

These are examined visually and provide a quick indication of the exposure level and resolution capability of the CtP/plate combination. If the CtP device images at 2,400 dpi then each 1 pixel microline will be 10.6 microns thick (1% dot at 240 lpi). Proper exposure is indicated when the posi-




Technology

tive and negative microlines are imaged at the same width. If the one pixel lines are not rendered this indicates a reso-lution limitation with that particular CtP/plate combina-tion. In that case, check the two or three pixel lines instead to determine the resolution threshold. Also note if the ver-tical and horizontal microlines are rendered equally well. Inconsistencies with imaging vertical and horizontal micro-lines indicate directional differences in the output system.

One pixel through four pixel checkerboardThis target is extremely sensitive to the resolution capability of an imaging device. Nearly all CtP/plate combinations will have trouble rendering the 1x1 pixel checkerboard sharply. If the overall appearance of the checkerboard is indistinct with soft edges between the positive and negative pixels, then the resolution of the CtP/plate combination has been

exceeded. Due to their lack of resolution, many CtP/plate combinations cannot successfully image less than the three-

pixel checkerboard at a 10.6 micron pixel size.

Put another way, they cannot resolve halftone dots made up of less than three pixels and as a result require a Hybrid AM/XM solution to recover highlight and shadow tones between 1% - 3% and 97% - 99% when the screen ruling is finer than about 175-200 lpi. They may also be restricted as to whether they can do FM screening and/or the level of fineness of FM screen they can reliably image. On a re-lated note, it is argued by some vendors that because it is the consistency of imaging of the perimeter of the halftone dot - made up of 10.6 micron pixels - that determines the consistency of halftone dots throughout the tone scale, an inability to reliably and consistently image the 1x1 pixel checkerboard indicates a CtP/plate combination that is not optimal as far as delivering consistent plates to the press-room is concerned.

About Gordon Pritchard (a.k.a. Gordo)Gordon Pritchard was formerly Print Qual-ity Marketing Manager for eleven years at Creo/Kodak. He presented at print tech-nical conferences and trained printers and buyers regarding print quality issues in Eu-

rope, North America, and Southeast. Asia.

Gordo has articles published in trade journals, co-authored TAGA paper on halftone screening, and authored BRIDG's guide to halftone screening. Previously, he was Technical Director of Western Canada's largest commercial sheet-fed shop.

For several years, Gordo was Professor of Digital Graphic Design at Emily Carr University. He was formerly Creative DirectoratMcCannErickssonVancouver.andiscurrentlya Freelance Graphic Designer, Photographer, Illustrator, Consultant.

Gordo can be contacted at: [email protected].





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Technology

Thin Film Electronics, an Oslo, Norway, based Compa-ny with R&D facilities in Linkoping, Sweden, known

as Thinfilm, and InkTec Co. Ltd, known as InkTec, have to-gether made a breakthrough in producing printed memory on flexible substrates. Here Dr Peter Harrop of analyst's IDTechEx, interviews Johan Carlsson, President and CEO of Thinfilm and Kwang-Choon Chung, President and CEO of InkTec, about the latest development.

PH: For a long time, IDTechEx has been advocating more effort on printed memory, one of the missing parts of the printed electronics toolkit that is vital for progress. Can you tell us about this latest breakthrough and the history of your company please?

Johan Carlsson: Our latest development concerns a joint

Thinfilm and InkTec project with the aim of demonstrat-ing R2R high volume manufacturing of printed memories. The project has been a huge success with the realization of a R2R production worthy printing process capable of re-alizing printed memory cells with a yield in the 96-97 % range for the best device structure. Up to now more than 100 meters of roll has been produced with a total of 5 print-ing steps. This is to our knowledge one of the world first established R2R processes capable of producing electronic components other than conductors and antennas with high yield. It is especially impressive given that the printed mem-ory film thickness is only about 200 nm.

Thinfilm is a public research and development company founded in 1997 with aim to commercialize its polymer memory technology. The most promising aspect of Thin-

Breakthrough in Producing Printed Memory

An interview By Dr. Peter Harrop, Chairman, IDTechEx Ltd., with Johan Carlsson, President & CEO of Thinfilm, & Kwang-Choon Chung, President & CEO of InkTec.




film's polymer technology lies in the fact that it is possibly the only nonvolatile memory technology that can be fabri-cated entirely by printing. Thinfilm´s technology is based on development that we initially performed together with Intel for the production of so called hybrid high densi-ty silicon-polymer memories. Together we produced work-ing 512 MB chip modules in 0.25 µm technology and that was 5 years ago using Thinfilm´s unique polymer memory technology.

PH: That is extremely exciting and significant. How does the partnership with InkTec operate and what other part-nerships are in place with Thinfilm?

Johan Carlsson: The partnership with InkTec is character-ized by mutual trust, transparency, efficient and profession-al exchange of information. This has enabled us to quickly resolve technical issues. We are moreover very impressed by InkTec's facilities at the second factory in Pyoungtaek just outside of Seoul which are entirely dedicated to printed electronics with class 10 000 clean room in general areas and class 1000 around production equipment.

Other important partnerships that are in place are with the like of Xaar plc, OTB (print equipment vendors), Solvay (polymer vendor), Soligie Inc. (Printed Electronic Manu-facturer and Integrator), AGFA (conductive polymer ven-dor), DuPont Teijin Films (substrate vendor) and Carta-mundi (Card manufacturer) and Weyerhaeuser (printed RFID developer) for the commercial production and mar-keting of printed memories.

PH: What is your roadmap for commercialisation of printed memory? Can you give us any dates and product specifications that will be achieved?

Johan Carlsson: Given our business model i.e. licensing technology to partners for them to do the end user sales and manufacturing, makes it hard for us to give any dates as we don't control the entire value chain. But as we do work closely with all of our partners we know of some very excit-ing products that are in the final stage of design, and should if everything will be on plan, they will be introduced in the market sometime early next year. The results achieved with InkTec are a major milestone in meeting the schedule.

PH: One area of printed electronics starting to get great attention is transparent electronics with flexible transpar-ent batteries, photovoltaics, lighting, transistors and so on being demonstrated. Clearly transparent electronic film will not detract from branding on packaging and it can go in many places where electronics cannot currently be ap-plied. Will there be a transparent Thinfilm memory?

Johan Carlsson: Thinfilm's memory polymer is in itself transparent which means that a transparent memory cell can be made with any transparent electrode material. This means that transparent cells can easily be made as soon as integration with a suitable transparent electrode can be achieved. We have for example already in 2005 demon-strated printed memories using the conductive polymer PEDOT/PSS as electrode material which is nearly trans-parent.

PH: One other dream for printed electronics is printing many components on top of each other. This will save space and eliminate the wiring needed by conventional silicon chips, displays and so on. Will Thinfilm memory be lay-ered with other components one day?

Johan Carlsson: Certainly, this in fact one of the basic ideas behind Thinfilm´s hybrid memory technol-ogy where multiple layers of memory were used in order to increase memory capacity / unit area. All of the drive elec-tronics was situated below the stacked polymer memories. When it comes to printed electronics this is all dependent on the solubility of various layers (electronics polymers) and/or development of via processes through separation layers. So by using the right set of materials one can envision that our memory could be printed on top or below other components.

PH: What types of electronic device are going to be most suitable to adopt Thinfilm memory in the near future?

Johan Carlsson: We are currently aiming at the game cards and toys industry for our so called stand alone memories (contact). These memories are also suitable for brand pro-tection type applications. We are also working on integra-tion of our memory technology with logic and we hope to soon be able to draw benefit of this work in terms of appli-cations like fully printed RFID tags.




Technology

PH: What do you see as your main competition?

Johan Carlsson: To our knowledge there is no competing printed re-writable memory technology that is sufficiently mature to be of any near term threat. On the other hand, there are a number of companies and research groups that publish results on novel memory technologies that seem promising - one never knows what might appear and there-fore we keep a close eye on the development and are open to cooperation.

PH: We are very excited that you are presenting at the forthcoming IDTechEx Printed Electronics Europe con-ference in Dresden and this announcement will be one of the most important firsts. What will you cover in your presentation?

Johan Carlsson: We will cover our latest results on volume production of printed memories. We will in particular share some important details as well as show video clips from the production.

PH: have you anything else to report at this stage?

Johan Carlsson: As I mentioned earlier, are we working with a number of partners in different areas. These proj-ects are also progressing very well, why I foresee further an-nouncements once we reach good technical results or com-mercial success. Just stay tuned it's more to come!

PH: We understand and are very impressed that you now can print memories in a production facility. How do you foresee that this will impact printed electronics in general and specifi-cally your own activities in this field?

Kwang-Choon Chung: We are very excited and particu-larly with the achievement of being able to produce the memories which rely on the integrity of a thin polymer film where the slightest defect will lead to a short. This is a real confidence booster both for printed electronics in general and in particular for us. This proves that our investment of a dedicated printed electronics factory was the right thing to do and this also opens up the opportunity for integra-tion with other technologies such as transistors. Our pro-totype line is equipped with screen, gravure, flexo printing stations, a microgravure coating station as well as an inline

12 m oven with 5 independent zones for thermal treatment - we are thus well equipped to do any kind of development. Thinfilm's unique memory technology will also add yet an-other market segment for our ink products and in addition another application to our successful Print Services busi-ness, which both will contribute to the continued growth of our company.

PH: We understand that you also develop and produce sil-ver inks for the printed electronics industry. Can you tell us a little bit more about the characteristics and their role in this project?

Kwang-Choon Chung: Our ink is based on a proprietary silver complex compound and is thus non-particle based. This has been crucial, in particular, for roughness control and integrity of the printed memory film. Another impor-tant aspect of our silver complex compound is that most suitable solvents for the production of inks are entirely compatible with the printed memory film thereby avoiding shorts and the use of protection layers.

PH: What is your production capacity? Any plans of ex-pansion?

Kwang-Choon Chung: Our printing lines are optimized for mass production. We have currently three Roll to Roll lines equipped with screen, gravure and flexo printing sta-tions as well as microgravure coating stations. Our annual capacity is around 10 million sqm at each line. We will con-sider both further facility expansion and dedicated lines for printed electronic applications.

PH: What other printed electronics components are you working on/producing?

Kwang-Choon Chung: We have recently got a printed flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) product approved for mass production by a local partner. We have also focused on printing antennas which gives the highest volume and low-est cost by using flexible substrates and electronic materi-als. The antennas can be applied in the packaging, textiles and smart card industries. InkTec has also developed vari-ous functional films such as reflective film, EMI shielding and transparent conductive films etc. by using our own elec-tronic materials and printing facilities. These films are used




by the display, signage and architectural indus-tries as a decoration or functional parts.

About Thinfilm:Thin Film Electronics, an Oslo, Norway-based Company with R&D facilities in Linkoping, Sweden, is the pioneer in the use of functional polymer materials for non-volatile memory ap-plications. Dense functional memories have been demonstrated using both traditional processing for silicon-based chips and more recently printing. Thinfilm delivers printed memory today and, with partners like InkTec, will deliver integrated printed electronics to-morrow. Thin Film Electronics ASA is listed on the Oslo Axess list at the Oslo stock exchange, Norway.

For more information on Thinfilm, visit www.thinfilm.se.

About InkTec:InkTec Co., Ltd. is a leading edge Korean com-pany that specializes in the development and manufacturing of commercial and electronic inks. It has successfully designed and manufac-tured wide formatUV-curable flatbed inkjetprinters and numerous lines of ink products for large format printing applications, digital textile printing, as well as refill kits for con-sumer inkjet and laser printers. Most recently, electronic inks have been introduced through InkTec's successful research and development efforts. Extensive process innovation methods of ink production are yielding lower costs of manufacturing as well as higher standards of quality. In the printed electronic industry, Ink-Tec is determined to reach greater heights by merging printed applications and electronic ink, a combination that could see the creation of 21st century products. InkTec Co., Ltd. is listed on the Korea stock exchange market and for more information on InkTec, visit http://www.inktec.com/english/.


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EskoArtworks’ newly released ArtiosCAD 7.4 offers easier design and project

management tools

Virtual 3D folded curved creases,mating glue flaps, andability to tie complete projects to bill of materials, highlight new version of the world’s leading structural design packag-ing software

Gent (Belgium), April 30, 2009 - EskoArtwork (www.esko.com) announces that the newly released ArtiosCAD 7.4, the latest version of the world’s most popular structural design software for packaging focuses on much easier ad-ministration of packaging projects, along with new design features for curved creases and ‘mating’ folding parts and multi-component designs ArtiosCAD increases produc-tivity throughout the entire packaging supply chain, a sig-nificant reason why nearly 70% of all structural packaging worldwide is designed on ArtiosCAD.

ArtiosCAD is the ideal product for all corrugated, folding cartons and POP displays. Complete 3D integration allows for quick prototyping of designs and presentations, elimi-nating communication errors and reducing design review cycles.

3D Product EnhancementsA number of significant features have been added to en-hance the 3D design and viewing experience within Ar-tiosCAD. For example, Curved Creases, a patent pending technology only available in ArtiosCAD, makes it easy for designers to work with curved folds and cuts by allowing them to visualize designs with curved creases as part of its 3D module.

Designing and viewing curved creases in packaging, signs and displays adds variety and creativity to the design pro-cess. Green Bay Packaging Inc. (GBP), a privately owned,

diversified paperboard-packaging manufacturer headquar-tered in Green Bay, WI (USA), GBP was one of the first us-ers of ArtiosCAD when it was launched in 1998, and beta-tested ArtiosCAD 7.4. “The new Curved Creases function will let us deviate from straight lines when displaying 3D packaging ideas,” explains Brian Walker, manager of techni-cal services and product design at GBP, Fremont. “It’s great for creative presentations and development of customer ideas. We don’t have to waste time and money, making sam-ples of curved crease designs for initial concepts.”

For 27 years, The BoxMaker Inc, Kent, WA (USA). has been a single-source packaging supplier of corrugated ship-ping containers, foam materials, point of purchase displays, wholesale packages, retail containers, and custom printed labels. “Using 3D ‘Curved Creases’, we can visualize curved creases in a folding carton without first cutting a sample to determine if we got it right. It’s nice to see it on the monitor first to see if the concept it going to work,” remarks Darren Neupert, BoxMaker structural designer. “We can send an image via email to a customer and get a preliminary OK be-fore we go ahead with mock-ups. It will allow us to be much more creative with folding carton designs.”

A new Mate tool, available in ArtiosCAD 7.4 as part of the 3D module, allows for the simple assembly and visualiza-



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What is print? It’s how we communicate. How enterprises are enabled and individuals influenced. Here, there, and everywhere. Kodak provides answers for a dynamic, diverse marketplace. See for yourself at Drupa. Kodak solutions are here. Print is powerful.

Visit kodak.com/go/packagingSee the power of Kodak innovation at Drupa, Hall 5.©Kodak, 2008. Kodak is a trademark.

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tion of connected folds and parts. Users can identify glue areas and corresponding targets to quickly connect designs or perform simple assembly of displays.

Itisalsoeasyforuserstocreate3DanimatedAVIorQuick-Time movies, file format compatible with most computer systems.

“What is cool in ArtiosCAD 7.4 is the new 3D ‘Mate’ tool. We can now mate a glue flap to a panel and fold all of the corresponding scores at once in 3D,” comments Neupert. “Before, we couldn’t form a knockdown flat and move pan-els in coordination with each other. We had to fold each flap individually. Now we can virtually glue and erect or knock-down a design.”

ArtiosCAD 7.4 also includes a bend tool for visualizing bends in 3D. Bend lines can be specified in 2D, and then vi-sualized in 3D using various angles and radii. By supporting all these new visualization features in 3D, ArtiosCAD users

can use the actual 2D design files to make 3D presentations for their clients. This saves hours of design time within other 3D applications, re-creating additional 3D models or mockups just for presentation purposes.

Version7.4hasnewdesigngeometry andfile integrationfeatures. ArtiosCAD 7.4 can extract vector geometry data from PDF files and automatically create ARD structure files-the native file format of ArtiosCAD. Meanwhile, the 3D rendering performance of ArtiosCAD has been enhanced so that 3D solids with edges are rotated faster. By support-ingVMwareFusionfortheMacusingWindowsXPProfes-sional, users can run ArtiosCAD on the Mac, and Score! native files can be opened directly in ArtiosCAD. Within the 3D animation module, ArtiosCAD 3D outputs now al-lowforthecreationofAVIandQuickTimemovies.

Enhanced project managementArtiosCAD 7.4 includes more powerful tools to manage CAD Projects. A project is a container that organizes a se-ries of single designs, which exist as resources, into a unit of work. These designs might comprise a display or have some-thing in common. “With Projects, we can take a multipart component design-anything from a cereal box to packaging for a spoiler for a car-roll them into one bundle, and save them together,” says Walker. “It’s easy to manage. All files for a project reside in one folder. I can pull it up and refer to all the parts. If I need to create a similar project, I can re-view all the items at the same time, save it with a new name, and run parametric analysis. It could take hours and hours, instead of 30 minutes with ArtiosCAD 7.4.”

Using the Reportmaker module, Bill of Material Reports (BOM) can be created that list all the elements of a project as an item within the BOM. BOM reports may be config-ured in a variety of ways: as a table of items, or one page per item using printers, PDF files or customized files. Fur-thermore, if PDF file is used, U3D may be specified for 3D visualization of folded designs. “Projects ties in with the Bill of Materials to show all the packaging parts in one ‘display’,” says Neupert. “So, now we can create a Bill of Materials that’s much easier for accounting.”

“Previously, we had to create individual prints of each pack-age piece. A seven-item piece took seven pages, which could be confusing for estimators. Now, we can print a Project’s images and specs on one or two pages,” adds Walker.




Design tools have been enhancedOther tools have been added that make the use of Ar-tiosCAD more productive for designers. A new Circle di-ameter tool can draw circles using controls similar to the ArtiosCAD line tool. The Line join tool has been extended so that an angle from the originating arc can be specified. The Trim selection tool has been extended so a designer can assemble a selection for trimming against or extending to. The Hatch tool has been added to the Annotation toolbar and extended so that closed regions can be hatched more easily.

Having completed a successful beta testing, ArtiosCAD 7.4 is currently available for delivery. This upgrade is free for EskoArtwork customers with a full software maintenance contract.

About EskoArtworkEskoArtwork is a global supplier and integrator of innova-tive solutions for packaging, commercial printing, sign and display finishing and professional publishing. Its products and services help customers raise productivity, reduce time-to-market, lower costs and expand business. EskoArtwork is the worldwide market leader with pre-production and collaboration software for packaging buyers, designers and manufacturers. The CDI flexo computer-to-plate imagers, Kongsberg short-run converting and signage finishing sys-tems complete the portfolio for the packaging, label, sig-nage and display industries. The company also provides a range of workflow solutions for the commercial printing and publishing market, as well as the Enfocus suite of PDF tools for graphic designers and print production profession-als. EskoArtwork employs around 900 people worldwide. Its global sales and support organization covers Europe, the Americas, Asia Pacific and Japan, and is completed by a network of distribution partners in more than 40 countries. EskoArtwork is headquartered in Gent, Belgium, and has R&D and manufacturing facilities in 5 European countries, the United States and in India. The consolidated full year revenue for 2007 amounted to EUR 170 million, with an EBITDA of EUR 30 million.

For more information, visit www.esko.com

Source: EskoArtwork Press Release

“FIRST-CLASS SEMINAR”

Charlotte, N.C., April 30, 2009 – “Harper always puts on a first-class seminar,” read one of the comment sheets col-lected at the end of Harper GraphicSolutions’™ Charlotte Sleeve Seminar. It echoed the sentiments of many others who participated in the session, which took place on Thurs-day, April 16th, at Harper Corporation’s headquarters in Charlotte.

Professionals from three states converged on Harper Corporation headquarters in Charlotte, N.C., to attend

Harper GraphicSolutions’™ sleeve seminar.

Attendees traveled from North Carolina, Virginia andGeorgia to participate in the day-long free instructional meeting, which was the result of a popular series initiated last year by Harper GraphicSolutions pros to address the differences between the relatively new technology of anilox sleeves and that of conventional journaled anilox rollers.

Experts from Harper’s technical service division presented a series of detailed presentations about proper sleeve han-dling, storage and cleaning. They also examined the re-en-gravability differences between rolls and sleeves, and the im-pact of cumulative total indicator readings (TIR) between the press mandrel and anilox sleeve. All of the information was highlighted with photos of damaged and destroyed sleeves that Harper techs have come across in the field, with advice on how to avoid such damage.

After a complimentary lunch, participants received a tour



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of Harper Corporation’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, to see how anilox sleeves are handled and laser-engraved, before they toured the Harper GraphicSolutions laboratory, where Echocheks™ are analyzed and all roll au-dits are prepared.

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at jk-luttz@ harperimage.com or 704-588-3371.

Source: Harper Corporation Press Release

EskoArtwork to showcase HD Flexo plate imaging technology to achieve offset quality

@ PacPrint 09

Melbourne (Australia), April 27th, 2009 - HD Flexo is the next big step in flexo. EskoArtwork (www.esko.com), the world leader in digital imaging of flexo plates and sleeves is revolutionizing flexo platemaking with the introduction of HD Flexo, a system that combines High Definition (HD) optics along with unique screening technologies to take advantage of sharper and more accurate imaging. The HD Flexo solution is being introduced to the market in Austra-lia at PacPrint, May 26-30.

Exceptional plates deliver outstanding printingWith HD Flexo, printers can reproduce the full tonal range of offset, while maintaining easy set-up and implementa-tion in production by reducing the need to edit images in prepress. Meanwhile, the plates produced with HD Flexo deliver consistent print quality compared to conventional plates and can be used in longer press runs, resulting in bet-ter press uptime.

The flexo converter will notice many significant advantages with HD Flexo. The sharp detail in plates will produce high quality text and line art. With an exceptional dot structure

and extraordinary screening, tints are smoother and easier to print. Meanwhile, there is a smooth vignette transition throughout the highlights to ‘zero’ and a high contrast in highlights and shadows without visible, hard edges.

HD-Flexo can be applied on a wide variety of digital plates—all without compromising quality or having to adapt prepress specifically for the printing process. It does not require a significant capital equipment investment; just an upgrade of existing, installed equipment. This technol-ogy will be available on new Cyrel Digital Imagers (CDI) and can be upgraded on all existing CDI systems.

Sustainable advantagesHD Flexo brings some significant sustainability benefits as well. With HD Flexo direct digital platemaking, there is no manual lamination plate. Thus, there is no film to dispose of once the plates have been imaged. And because HD Flexo technology will work with thermal plate processing, there is no need for solvents that could be environmentally dam-aging. Printers who work with plates generated from HD Flexo typically reduce the makeready materials required to get to acceptable color, resulting in much less waste.

“HD Flexo makes life easy for brand owners and print buyers without compromising quality,” explains Jürgen Andresen, EskoArtworkVicePresident,FlexoBusiness.“Italsomakeslife easy for trade shops and converters because with a safe, high quality process, they can compete with offset or other printing techniques”.

Highlights at PacPrintAlong with HD Flexo, at stand F40 EskoArtwork will be showing the Cyrel Digital Imager (CDI) 4835 and the CDI 2120, live demonstrations of the latest Kongsberg i-XL series of digital cutting and finishing tables and EskoArt-work’s complete portfolio of Design & Prepress software solutions including the new SignUp software for intelligent nesting of Signage & POP.

About EskoArtworkEskoArtwork is a global supplier and integrator of innova-tive solutions for packaging, commercial printing, sign and display finishing and professional publishing. Its products and services help customers raise productivity, reduce time-to-market, lower costs and expand business. EskoArtwork is the worldwide market leader with pre-production and



mailto:jkluttz@ harperimage.com


http://www.esko.com


collaboration software for packaging buyers, designers and manufacturers. The CDI flexo computer-to-plate imagers, Kongsberg short-run converting and signage finishing sys-tems complete the portfolio for the packaging, label, sig-nage and display industries. The company also provides a range of workflow solutions for the commercial printing and publishing market, as well as the Enfocus suite of PDF tools for graphic designers and print production profession-als. EskoArtwork employs around 900 people worldwide. Its global sales and support organization covers Europe, the Americas, Asia Pacific and Japan, and is completed by a network of distribution partners in more than 40 countries. EskoArtwork is headquartered in Gent, Belgium, and has R&D and manufacturing facilities in 5 European countries, the United States and in India. The consolidated full year revenue for 2007 amounted to EUR 170 million, with an EBITDA of EUR 30 million.

For more information, visit www.esko.com

Source: EskoArtwork Press Release

2009 FLEXOGRAPHIC SOLUTIONS TOUR™ ENJOYS TRIUMPHANT KICKOFF IN

ROCHESTER

Charlotte, N.C., April 29, 2009 – The Harper GraphicSolu-tions™ team was delighted to have a full house at Rochester Institute of Technology on Wednesday, April 15 to usher in the 2009 Harper Flexographic Solutions Tour™.

More than 65 flexo professionals joined the technical ser-vice experts of Harper GraphicSolutions and co-suppliers from Water Ink Technology, FlexoWash, KODAK, Actega Inc.,theFlexographicTechnologicalAssociationandAVTfor one of the free, day-long trouble-shooting seminars that industry pros looks forward to each year.

As always, the feedback forms collected after the seminar reflected an appreciative crowd. Examples of the comments include:“Verygoodseminar–enjoyeditandlearnedalot.”Several reflected sentiments like: “Well organized program.

Nice diversity of subject matter.”

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at jk-luttz@ harperimage.com or 704-588-3371.

Attendees learned the latest in flexo troubleshooting at the first stop on Harper GraphicSolutions’™ 2009 Flexographic Solutions Tour™, which took place at Rochester Institute

of Technology.

Source: Harper Corporation Press Release

Part 2 - 4000dpi - Is It Really Revolutionary For Flexo?

Just a few more comments on this topic ...Our initial response to the ESKO press release prompted a few questions. We wanted to be able to answer these clearly and at the same time comment on an article published on the same topic in the Flexo Magazine for April 2009.

Before we go any further we feel that it is important to stress that there are many points in the article that we agree with. We totally support all efforts to enhance and move the Flexo industry forward, through such evolutionary steps, with higher print capabilities, better on press performance, longer plate life, and greater sustainability for the process as



http://www.esko.com




http://graphics1.kodak.com/us/consumables/plates/flexographic/kodak_flexcel_nx_flexographic_plates/default.htm


Sponsor News

a whole. These are all things that will assist the Flexo indus-try as a whole to perform better and grow. However, where we disagree is in the use of marketing buzz words like “Rev-olutionary” and “Novel” for things that are neither. We run the risk that when things that are truly exciting and new really do need such titles they will be worn out and without impact.

The message remains the same, combining existing technol-ogies together is evolutionary, and LAMS Plates Are Not New - Nor Is Hybrid Screening. ESKO themselves state that “digital imaging was introduced with laser ablative masks system (LAMS) CTP plates in 1995”, and “About 10 years ago, a hybrid screening technology was created”. The FLEXO article states that “recently, technology was developed that allows digital LAMS plates to image at 4000 dpi”, yet it is a standard upgrade on most of the CDI line of products and has been for some significant time, if not since their introduction. A simple search of the inter-net with “4000 dpi CDI” will produce results from at least 2005, so recently is relative to what?

A Matter of Speed with A Pixel At A Time!Let’s try and clear up the imaging speed question. In the FLEXO magazine article the comments “while a 4,000 dpi pixel is not going to be noticed by an increase in imaging time”, and “because the dots consist of more pixels”, can be tied together to confirm that the time to image each pixel is similar, but there is an increase in imaging time due to more pixels to image with the same optics. In long standing cal-culations by Kodak engineers, changing from 2540 dpi to 4000 dpi will be an increase of approximately 2.7 times in 1). Pixels to RIP, and 2). Pixels to image. This is potentially a very significant slowing of the imaging process for LAMS plates. It’s just an important question that should be asked. It is also understood that trade shops in Europe who have had the 4,000 dpi option available on the CDI for some time tend to charge more for LAMS plates imaged at this resolution due to the most expensive hardware component in the process, the plate imager, being tied up for much lon-ger for each plate.

Dot Holding EnhancementA technique to use some form of light values to improve the dot holding capabilities is also nothing new. Based on research and development from several years ago, Kodak possesses proprietary plate resolution enhancement tech-

nology that includes several granted patents. Upon Kodak’s introduction of this proprietary technology, referred to as “HyperFlex” that enables holding of smaller dots and graphic elements on flexo plates, it won the 2003 GATF InterTech Technology Award, 2004 FTA Technical Innova-tion award, and 2005 FPPA Technology Innovator of the Year award. The HyperFlex technology involves the imag-ing of light valves (equivalent to small dots or holes) in the LAMSlayeraroundtherequireddotstoincreasetheUVenergy, assisting the required dots to build stronger struc-ture, with more robust format and better performance on press, but the light values do not form any structure that prints. This proprietary technology is in daily use today in many plate makers. Kodak HyperFlex technology can be applied to Maxtone (Kodak’s hybrid screening) and AM screening.

The following examples illustrate the process: HyperFlex Technology extends the minimum reproducible dot size for Maxtone Screening, e.g. 35 micron Maxtone Screening - 0.5% tint




Without HyperFlex Technology: Dots have not formed at all, or have fallen over - even though they are imaged at nor-mal min dot size (Note that the only dots forming on plate are adjacent to the line element)

With HyperFlex Technology resolution enhancement: All dots develop. File integrity is maintained: if there is a dot in the data, there is a dot on the plate

When we read the explanation of the revolutionary screen-ing, “a novel solution was developed: a new “differentially modulated” screening technology. Dots remain on a regular grid as standard halftones, but in the highlight they change size at different rates. There is a mixture of mostly smaller dots with a few larger dots.

In extreme highlights, the very small dots do not actually print. They build up the plate around the remaining larg-er dots, so that these print in a stable way.” Based on prior technology, it does not seem to be so new or novel. Come on guys! Let’s save the “novel” and “revolutionary” adjec-tives where they truly appropriate.

Quick Comment On Gray Levels You May Have Missed From Part I

Anonymous Comment:“300 lpi for Flexo doesn’t seem very realistic to me, have you calculated the number of gray levels you can reproduce with 300 lpi at 2400 dpi? 65!”

“This comment would have been true for early RIPs (cir-ca 20 years ago), which did not use supercell technology. Kodak has been using supercell screening in all its work-flows for a very long time (and I would be very surprised if there are any workflow vendors left that do not). Rather than calculating grey levels at the individual halftone cell level, supercell screening calculates grey levels over an area consisting of many halftone cells and uses pixel dithering to render very accurate tones within the supercell area, no matter how high the frequency. The only limitation to im-aging grey levels on a Kodak system is the underlying data in the input file. 8-bit contone and 8-bit vector objects can only be rendered at 256 grey levels, but objects created with smooth shade operators can be rendered with 16-bits, which produces 65,536 grey levels. Of course, in real life, TIFF measuring tools can only distinguish tones to about

0.1% accuracy. But even with this limitation, I can demon-strate 1000 grey levels in a device-ready TIFF rendered at 300 lines at 2400 dpi, from any of our workflow systems” answer provided by Stephen Zmetana Technical Special-ist, Packaging Workflows, Kodak Product Development. Thanks Stephen!

The More We See:As the weeks go by and more and more is revealed about this competitive “revolutionary” and “novel” technology, it looks more and more like an attempt to match the 300 lpi capabilities with full tonal range of Flexcel NX - and that’s great. As suppliers we have a responsibility to continually move the industry forward.

We embrace truly novel advancements that will allow us all to do so. It is clear to us though that using a round laser to image square pixelswillNEVERmatch the 1:1 imag-ing capabilities of the SQUAREspot Technology used in the Flexcel NX system. That Oxygen Inhibition in plate making means that the dots are still rounded and bullet like, even if they are a little smoother, and will still suffer point loading and narrower impression latitude and shorter life than a flat top dot structure. Then there is the imaging time, significantly more data to RIP and image will slow the process, all driven by the need to increase resolution just to match a technology running at 2400 dpi, just like its offset counterparts, that today images the Thermal Imaging Layer for a 31.5” x 42” plate in 6 minutes.

At the end of the last blog we said it was evolutionary for ESKO instead of revolutionary for the Flexo industry, and the more that comes out the smaller an evolutionary step it seems.

OK. Let’s stop. Enough said on the topic. We’ll draw a line there and move on. Let’s all get back to developing and pro-moting solutions truly deserving of the superlatives.

This post was co-written by Dr John Anderson, Global Fu-ture Marketing for Flexo at Eastman Kodak.

Source: Kodak Web site




Sponsor News

HARPER DONATES TO CLEMSON’S SONOCO INSTITUTE OF PACKAGING

DESIGN AND GRAPHICS

Charlotte, N.C., April 27, 2009 – When Clemson Univer-sity cut the ribbon on its new Harris A. Smith Building, representatives of global anilox supplier Harper Corpora-tion of America were among the students, faculty, honored guests invited to attend the University’s innovative and state-of-the-art new Sonoco Institute of Packaging Design and Graphics.

In keeping with its dedication to flexo education, Harper Corporation is a strong supporter of the new institute, do-nating generously to its stock of anilox rolls, proofing tools, maintenance and storage equipment, as well as pressroom cleaning supplies.

“We’re proud to be associated with this world-class insti-tute,” said Margie Harper Kluttz, president of Harper Cor-poration. “With this program’s multi-pronged approach, Clemson is taking a truly leading role in shaping the future of the printing and packaging industries. It’s our pleasure to help provide resources for these students.”

The Sonoco Institute of Packaging Design and Graphics features the only university program in the country that combines packaging science, graphic communication, ma-terials studies, environmental science, manufacturing, mar-keting and consumer psychology for application to packag-ing methods.

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz, Harper Corporation of America, at [email protected] or 704-588-3371.

Source: Harper Corporation Press

“Strong and Safe” Product Line Launches With a Free Gift Pack

Bellport, N.Y. -- Environmentally conscious flexographic ink-removing company FlexoCleaners.com launches its most powerful product line, “Strong and Safe,” with a free introductory five-product flexo sample pack. The “Strong and Safe” product line is increasingly becoming the favorite in many of the largest flexographic facilities worldwide. It has been proven to improve printing efficiency and reduce replacement purchase costs, all while promoting a healthy and safe working environment.

“The results that can be experienced from using ‘Strong and Safe’ products represent over 30 years of research,” says FlexoCleaners.com President Joseph Ialacci. “Anyone look-ing to improve the efficiency, cleanliness and safety of their pressroom can now do so before spending a dime,” adds Ialacci.

This attractively arranged sample gift pack includes the five most popular “Strong and Safe” products:

•Strong&SafeAniloxRoll&InkCleaner•Strong&SafeAni-GelAniloxRollCleaningGel•Ink-Eater,InkCleanerandDegreaser•SafetyCleanPlateCleaner•Strong&SafeHandCleaner

Each of the five products contained in the sample gift pack are specifically formulated with environmental safety in mind, substitutinghigh-VOC,caustic solventswith safer,organic, raw materials.

This change to a more environmentally friendly product line has maximized performance while increasing customer



mailto:jkluttz@harperimage

http://www.flexocleaners.com/



— the place to be listed, whether you’re a flexographic printer, print buyer, supplier, trade association, consultant, or educator.

Simply visit:http://www.flexoglobal.com/flexoguideform.htm

orfill out the form below and mail it to:

FlexoGlobal, 7580 Salmon Creek Road, Williamson, NY 14589-9510

Company Information:

Company Name:

Main Address:

City, State, Zip, Country & Postal Code:

Phone: Fax:

E-mail: Web Site:

Sign-Off:Print your Name and Title:

Signature: Date:

FlexoGlobal’s Resource Guide

q anilox rollsq consultantsq consumer product companiesq educational institutionsq environmental equipment &

servicesq equipment manufacturersq graphic design services

q inks, pigments, coatingsq mounting tapesq packaging printer/convertersq plate manufacturersq prepress servicesq prepress softwareq press manufacturers q product/speciality printers

q quality inspection equipmentq substrate supplierq supplies & servicesq testing equipment manufacturerq transportationq workflowmanagement

What Company Does: Our company offers the following products and/or services . . . (100 words maximum)

Company Category:

FlexoGlobalTM



http://www.flexoglobal.com/flexoguideform.htm


Sponsor News

satisfaction. With this package, printers are now armed with a complete solution to attack and clean any and every type of flexographic ink from anywhere in the pressroom. With this kit, printers have top-performing products for daily and periodic ink cleaning of anilox rolls, a powerful cleaning agent that attacks any decade-old, stubborn ink like a starving lion, a safe and effective photopolymer plate cleaner, and the most convenient hand cleaner and mois-turizer.

This complete ink cleaning system will ultimately bring all flexo press parts back to a like-new condition and leave printers with fresh-smelling, clean and smooth hands.

“With products such as these, we are hoping to make posi-tive improvements in the cleanliness and efficiency of press-rooms, while allowing printers to make less of an impact on the environment,” says Ialacci. A FREE Flexographic Ink Cleaning Sample Gift Pack can be requested here: Flexo-graphic Samples

Established in 1973, FlexoCleaners.com is a leading manu-facturer of environmentally friendly, chemically superior

flexographic ink cleaners. FlexoCleaners.com has been help-ingFlexographicprinters lowertheirVOCemissionsandbecome environmentally compliant through safer cleaning productsandFreeVOCconsultations.

FlexoCleaners.com is a socially responsible organization and contributes a portion of every sale to environmental charities, such as 1% for the Planet, Co-Op America and Union of Concerned Scientists. They have recently received recognition from the EPA as a Partner in the Design for the Environment Program’s Safer Detergents Stewardship Ini-tiative (SDSI).

You can find the industry’s largest selection of ink clean-ers at their fast, secure Website: www.flexocleaners.com The FlexoCleaners.com site is packed with helpful Flexo resources, time-saving tools and educational, environmen-tally-based articles. You can also call them directly at their easy-to-remember, toll-free number 1-888- FlexoCleaners (888-353-9625) or outside the USA at 631-345-5222.

Source: Flexocleaners.com press release



http://www.flexocleaners.com/


ANSI/CGATS TR 011-2002An ANSI Technical Report Prepared by Committee for Graphic Arts Technologies Standards (CGATS)

Graphic Technology — Package Development Workflow — Design Concept Through Approved Production File

Now Available through FlexoGlobal at http://gravurexchange.com/store/page2.html

FlexoGlobalTM



http://gravurexchange.com/store/page2.html

http://gravurexchange.com/store/page2.html


Basic Flexographic Seminars

December 8-11, 2008 February 2-5, 2009 | May 4-7, 2009 | August 24-27, 2009 | December 7-10, 2009

This 3-1/2 day seminar provides the basic information necessary for the production of quality flexographic printing. Instruction includes lectures, demonstrations, field trips and actual operation of printing presses. Seminar instructors are experienced in flexography or related industries. Register early! Seminar limited to 24 people. Cost: $895- includes all training, speakers, handouts, break food, lunches, and transportation to/from fieldtrip locations.

SPECIAL: Additional employees registered on the same date from the same company - $795/person

Fundamentals of Narrow Web Press Operation

March 30 – April 1, 2009 | June 8-10, 2009 | September 14-16, 2009

This 3 day seminar provides the basic information necessary for the production of quality flexographic printing. Instruction will consist of lectures, demonstrations and operation of machinery in the various subject areas. Topics covered: Flexographic art and copy, line, tone, and process printing, prepress functions, plates, press components and operation, anilox rolls, substrates, inks, solvents, inline converting and troubleshooting. $795/person/ includes all materials, morning breaks, noon lunches & extras.


Fundamentals of Wide Web Press Operation

November 3-5, 2008 February 16-18, 2009 | July 13-15, 2009 | November 2-4, 2009

The goal of this 3-day seminar is to give the participant equal instruction between theory and hands-on activities in the area of flexo platemounting and wide web press operation. Topics covered: Flexographic printing theory, press components & operation, ink handling & management, print setting adjustments, register & tension control, mounting, anilox rolls, doctor blades, chambered blade assembly & maintenance, press set-up, run, and clean-up & documentation. $795/person/ includes all materials, morning breaks, noon lunches & extras.


Fox Valley Technical College (FVTC) & Flexographic Technical Association (FTA) Seminars Seminars are held at Appleton WI with FVTC faculty instructing

Register with the FTA (631) 737-6026 | www.flexography.org

Achieving Consistency in Process Printing

January 19-22, 2009 | June 15-18, 2009 | October 5-8, 2009

This seminar deals with the concepts and tools involved in the production of high quality, repeatable process printing. Lectures, demonstrations, a field trip, and printing a four-color process job on an 8-color, central impression gearless press are included. Topics covered: Process color theory, image assembly& prepress proofing, densitometry & spectrophotometry, plate making, press operation, characterization & documentation, process ink- handling, anilox usage and maintenance.

FVTC is your training source for all flexo applications Registration Information

www.fvtc.edu/flexo920-735-4755



http://www.fvtc.edu/flexo


Fox Valley Technical College (FVTC) & Association of IndependentCorrugated Converters (AICC) Seminars

Fundamentals of Improved Flexographic Printing & Rotary Die Cutting Seminars

Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday March 2-4, 2009 | June 22-24, 2009 | August 17-19, 2009

Who should attend: Press operators, press supervisors, sales representatives, and other plant personnel.

What you’ll learn: This 3-day graphics and die cutting program combines hands-on press work in printing and die cutting 2 and 3 color jobs using a WORKHORSE 3-color flexo rotary die cutter with interactive classroom analysis and discussion. You will acquire new skills to improve operations back at the plant. Please visit the AICC website for costs.

Digital Production for Containers & Displays

Who should attend: Customer service, pre-production, production, supervisors and line management

What you’ll learn: This NEW intensive workshop teaches digital production and processes. The program covers digital workflows, coordination of various production components; equipment utilized, and live, on-site demonstrations. The agenda covers corrugated manufacturing in a digital world, workflow and component coordination, equipment, processes, demonstration of digital production flow, putting the digital production puzzle together, and making it happen back when you return to your workplace. Please visit the AICC website for costs.

Selling Digital Printing

Who should attend: Sales people and designers

What you’ll learn: This NEW program teaches trends in graphic communications; markets of opportunities for converters; case study of one company’s approach to selling digital; business development selling strategies; and creating a plan using specific strategies and tactics that meet appropriate client needs. Please visit the AICC website for costs

Seminars are held at Appleton WI with FVTC faculty instructing

Register with the AICC at (877) 836-2422 or (703) 836-2422

http://www.aiccbox.org/



http://www.aiccbox.org

innovation - flexoglobal · the flexcel nx system received the ffta/flexo mar-ket news technical...

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