Kodak announces the recent installation of a new Kodak Trendsetter Quantum 1600 computer to plate output device at VLF Solutions — a trade processing and platemaking house in the Kirti Nagar industrial area in West Delhi. Earlier installations of very large- format CtPs in the Delhi NCR region include in-house installations such as Kodak thermal devices at Ajanta Offset’s book printing plant in Faridabad and Screen violet CtPs at HT Media’s plant in Noida for producing multiple plates for business daily Mint. Thus while this is the first VLF CtP installed by a trade house in Delhi, there are more than a dozen VLF offset presses in the Delhi NCR area. Important large format offset printers around the country include Gopson’s book printing plant in Sivakasi and several other offset printers and metal decoration printers. Thus VLF devices are used for driving presses larger than the 102 to 106 mm format as well as for multiple imaging of smaller plates at the same time to increase throughput.
The print technologists who are partners in VLF Solutions, believe there is an opportunity to provide the efficiencies offered by large format
offset printing in the Delhi NCR region, using a high quality thermal CtP. Partner Alok Anand strongly endorses the overall growth of offset printing. He says, “Even though the global printing industry is moving towards digital printing technology, it will only be a complement to offset printing at least for the next 5 to 10 years. As customers become more quality-focused, it brings about a need for improved print quality which can be delivered with thermal CtP technology. At VLF Solutions, we understand the complexities of the business and have good direct relations with our printer-customers. To produce high-quality output for our valuable customers, we decided to go for the Trendsetter Q1600 with its award-winning Squarespot technology which helps to deliver 1 to 98% dots with 100% accuracy. The reliability and user-friendly interface also aids in maximizing press uptime. With this new installation we hope to increase new business opportunities in the packaging and publishing industries.”
Anand’s view is echoed by several large commercial printers around the country. Although digital print presses continue to grow in number and digital print grows in both volumes
and value, it is still a very small part of a growing print industry in the country. Offset print volumes and value also continue to grow in publishing, marketing collateral and most dramatically — in packaging.
As for the new installation of the large format VLF by a Delhi trade house, Kodak’s Tanuj Alagh, regional sales manager for North India says, “VLF Solutions have invested in the Kodak Trendsetter Q1600 platesetter to achieve greater throughput, while simultaneously reducing their overall capital investment. The Kodak Prinergy workflow’s pre-flighting and trapping capabilities, as well as the reliability and stability of the Q1600 will support the customer to serve very large format printers of packaging, foam, calenders and tin, as well as 28 x 40-inch commercial printers with excellent print quality.” The basic configuration is field upgradable for workflow and speed at a later stage while the plates output can vary in size from a minimum of 394 x 394mm to a maximum of 1325 x 1650mm. The Q1600 can image 15 plates an hour and screening up to 450 lpi as well as Kodak’s Staccato FM screening.
