Your monthly buyer’s guide to the latest print industry products
This month: CTP and MIS systems
CTP Systems
For many companies, buying Computer-to-Plate equipment is a big investment. There are a lot of vendors out there that make a lot of devices. How do you know which one is right for you?
We’ve looked at five different vendors and did the work for you. We asked what was the most popular CTP device sold at Heidelberg, Fujifilm, Presstek, Agfa and Xanté and found out all the details. We even talked to the customers that use the device who gave us the inside scoop. Find out what we discovered below:
Heidelberg Suprasetter 105
Overview:
The Suprasetter 105 is designed for a range of print shops from the smallest to the largest. Its biggest benefits are reliability, automation and ease of use. Heidelberg’s machine can accept plates from other vendors. In terms of eco-friendliness, it is a compact machine that doesn’t use a lot of power.
The details:
Dimensions (H x W x D): 60.47” x 84.65” x 58.82”
Minimum Plate Size: 14.6” x 12.7”
Maximum Plate Size: 36.6”x 14.9”
Resolution: 2400 or 2540 dpi
Customers’ thoughts: Jerry Sheer of Harbour Printing
“I bought this machine over other vendors because of its reliability and reputation. The advantages we’ve seen are speed, price, and the fact that it’s a workhorse. It gets the job done with not much down time. It’s not missing any of the bells and whistles, and it’s a good-looking machine. Sometimes it can give you warnings when you don’t need them, but overall we are quite pleased.”
Fujifilm Javelin 8000-Series
Overview:
The Javelin 8000 is an OEM device that Fujifilm has branded from Screen USA. It is best for small-mid sized companies. Fujifilm services and installs this device and is known for its customer support system. This is a chemistry-free machine that can also accept plates from other vendors.
The details:
Dimensions (H x W x D): 51 x 96.1 x 51.3
Minimum Plate Size: 12.0” x 14.6”
Maximum Plate Size: 45.6” x 37.0”
Resolution: 2400, 2540 or 4538 dpi
Customers’ thoughts: Randy Milligan of Maracle Press
“I bought the Fujifilm machine because of the company’s track record, history and service contract. It has given us real-time plating, and we can get our press running in half an hour. There is a lot of value added in this machine; we can run a higher line screen and run it faster. We’re happy with it. The machine is bullet-proof and Fujifilm’s service is leading-edge.”
Presstek Vector SL52
Overview:
The Presstek Vector CTP is a good quality machine with a very small footprint and is meant for small format printers. It is very easy to operate and is a chemistry-free device. It has good dot quality, but is only meant to run with Presstek’s Freedom Pro plates.
The details:
Dimensions (H x W x D): 52” x 29” x 58”
Minimum Plate Size: 14.4” x 11.0”
Maximum Plate Size: 19.9” x 20.6”
Resolution: 2400 dpi
Customers’ thoughts: Dan Kearney of Mansfield Rodney
“Our fleet includes four offset presses, one of which is a 5-colour press. Overall, we liked the Presstek Vector CTP system best. It seemed to be a perfect fit for us, from its chemistry-free operation to its compact footprint and high quality. It also supports all of our presses. We get more work done with the same employee base.”
Agfa :Avalon N8-Series
Overview:
The Agfa :Avalon is a reliable CTP device that can suit a range of shops from small to large commercial and packaging printers. It is very advanced in terms of eco-friendliness, as it is chemistry-free, produces little waste and consumes low amounts of energy. It is meant to be scalable and to grow as the company grows.
The details:
Dimensions (H x W x D): 51.3” x 96.1” x 51.0”
Minimum Plate Size: 17.8” x 14.6”
Maximum Plate Size: 45.6 x 37.0”
Resolution: 2400 dpi
Customers’ thoughts: Charles Pais of Accent Impressions
“Overall we are happy with the Agfa device. We have found that it is environmentally friendly and cleaner since it is chemistry-free. We have saved money as well because of this, and because the plates themselves aren’t very expensive. The speed of the :Avalon is another reason why we bought it.”
Xanté PlateMaker 5
Overview:
Xanté’s CTP system has a very small footprint, making it ideal for small- to mid-sized shops. The CTP uses Xanté’s Myriad 2 conventional polyester plates, and doesn’t use chemical processing. The company says that most print shops see an ROI in less than a year.
The details:
Dimensions (H x W x D): 16.2” x 22.8” x 23.7”
Minimum Plate Size: 10.0” x 15.0”
Maximum Plate Size: 13.4” x 25”
Resolution: 1200 or 2400 dpi
Customers’ thoughts: Len of Lacey Printing
“I’m able to take in jobs that I used to turn away. The quality of screens, halftones and the registration is excellent. Set-up time is greatly reduced and the plates have little stretch. I have recommended the machine to many others. So, yes, I am very pleased with the all around quality and service.”
Tip:
Before you buy, make sure that there aren’t any extreme re-licensing fees to eventually upgrade your machine. You want to make sure your equipment can grow as your business does, while keeping costs in perspective. Also make sure to find out about real-time plating speeds. How long does it take to output the first plate after you turn the machine on? Sometimes companies will advertise a certain imaging speed, but in reality, it takes a long time for the device to warm up to output that first plate.
Top questions to ask before purchasing:
How comprehensive is the company’s support and service system?
How much will it cost for consumables? Can I run plates from other brands?
Does the company have a good reputation? Look at history and track record.
Are there other users in my area? Get some references and learn more about the machine.
How environmental is the machine? Will it give me the quality I need while reducing waste?
MIS Systems
Any company thinking of investing in an MIS system knows it is a big deal. The system has to be able to fit your company like a glove as it will be the centre of communication and be a huge factor in how operations run. There are many vendors out there with systems that suit every kind of business. We asked Avanti, Hiflex, Bard Business Solutions and EFI about their systems and found out what’s what. Customers who use each MIS gave us their feedback too. Here’s what we learned:
Avanti Print MIS
Overview:
Avanti’s Print MIS is a system designed for mid- to large-sized commercial printers. Benefits include less touching of jobs and accurate invoicing. The company does on-site training to implement its system. Print MIS uses JDF wherever possible to link to equipment and streamline workflows.
Specific advantages:
The system offers real-time data and can give you immediate information about how your business is operating. It shows you bankable numbers that will allow you to make quick decisions.
Customers’ thoughts: Kevin Lanuke of Blitzprint
“With integrating any MIS system there can be a lot of hurdles, there will always be issues – but it’s how well the supplier is willing to work with you that makes the difference. We are very happy with the Print MIS system; Avanti really believes in their product and so our staff embraced it and it has gone very smoothly. We also liked that the company is Canadian and local.”
Hiflex MIS
Overview:
Hiflex’s system can be customized for any company of any size. Automation, flexibility and efficiency are key benefits. The MIS uses JDF integration and comes with the use of an online web-to-print portal. Training is done in steps, and the system is flexible to adapt to different businesses.
Specific advantages:
This system is beneficial because it eliminates touch-points in the workflow process. It keeps information consistent and current. The same basic system is implemented from company to company, but each are configured uniquely to benefit each business.
Customers’ thoughts: Damian McDonald of Ampersand Printing
“The Hiflex JDF data slips right through to our new Mitsubishi press, allowing our operators to achieve amazing make-ready times. We have been able to accomplish times as low as six minutes under the right conditions. This level of automation is extremely important in an environment where press operators are pushed to output large amounts of printed material in a small amount of time.”
Bard Business Solutions Graphics Manager
Overview:
Bard’s Graphics Manager is made for small to mid-sized commercial and trade printers. While it doesn’t utilize JDF integration, it is designed to be compatible cross-platform and is very customizable. It offers speed, accuracy and quick setup of quotes and dockets. The company does on-site training and also has an online training database.
Specific advantages:
This system becomes a central-point for communication. It allows for timelier estimates and invoices, and dockets can be opened quicker. Cost tracking is easy, and customers say it offers as much as the bigger solutions for a lower cost.
Customers’ thoughts: Dan Thompson of DT Print Solutions
“As a growing digital shop with pressures on pricing and processing more dockets through; without the Bard system I don’t know if we would have been able to manage the information that we now stick handle as we push more through our shop. We’ve been able to customize portions of the system to both our customers’ and our own specific needs. This is the only solution that fits this market niche. The only thing I would change is to make the interface more visually appealing.”
EFI Pace
Overview:
EFI’s Pace is a browser-based MIS system. It is designed for small to medium commercial printers, but can also be used in larger shops like multi-web and publishing or even smaller digital shops. It is fully web-based and runs off one server. It is customizable, flexible and has an open-source architecture. It uses JDF wherever possible to integrate into the workflow.
Specific advantages:
You can get more work done with less people using EFI’s system. It also allows remote access because of its browser-based format, meaning its nearly impossible to crash the system.
Customers’ thoughts: John Rawlins of Itek Graphics
“Pace runs the show at our company, we would probably be lost without it. Once you get it all set up, the system ties your whole workflow together. We’ve been with Pace a long time. Over the years, the things I saw that I would have wanted to change, EFI changed. EFI is very responsive to input from its users.”
Tip:
You must have a clear vision and plan within your company to successfully implement an MIS system. A lot of people hate change, but it will transform your thinking and the way you do business. There has to be commitment from the very top levels of the company because this is a long-term investment and an ongoing process. An MIS system can stay with a company for decades so make sure that everyone in the company believes in it and is onboard.
Top questions to ask before purchasing:
How dedicated is the vendor to the industry? Make sure they’re going to be around a while.
What is the real month-to-month cost of the system? Are we going to be locked into many contracts and commitments?
How comprehensive is the training they offer? Will they support us if we need help?
How much money will this actually save us? Run a cost/benefit analysis.
How well will it integrate into the rest of our workflow?
