Taking It to the Next Level

By adding a new flexographic platemaking system, Trisoft Graphics can produce plates that rival gravure in quality.

January 2009 By Chris Mc Loone

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Flexographic printing quality has been approaching that of gravure for some time now. Although it has been attractive to printers due to its lower price point than gravure printing, one of flexo’s shortfalls has always been that its quality is not at the same level as gravure. Trisoft Graphics, Inc. (www.trisoftco.com)—a digital prepress and graphic design company serving the packaging industry since 1993—recently installed a new flexographic platemaking system it expects to use to produce flexographic printing plates that, when employed, will rival gravure’s quality.

Trisoft has more than 15 years experience specializing in flexography, prepress, and platemaking. According to Tristan Zafra, owner, the company designs for labels, folding cartons and flexible packaging industries for materials that include polypropylene, craft stock, and vinyl. The company is very hands-on in its approach to its customers, says Zafra. “We pride ourselves on innovation and always look at new technologies,” he says. “We have a team of very experienced and knowledgeable people. We take a very hands-on approach to all of our customer needs.” For instance, to avoid communication mixups that might hinder a customer’s project progress, the company connects customers directly to a graphic artist. The company’s staff works directly and closely with the customer during the entire project, every step of the way. Doing so helps the company remain true to its core operating philosophy, which, according to Zafra, is “to produce the best quality flexo plates and to offer the absolute best in customer service satisfaction.”

It is to this end that Trisoft recently added a KODAK FLEXCEL NX Digital Flexographic System.

Digital flexographic platemaking

The new system installed at Trisoft Graphics includes a KODAK TRENDSETTER NX Mid Imager and KODAK FLEXCEL NX digital flexographic plates. The system joins the company’s existing KODAK THERMOFLEX narrow platesetter, and it plans to use both systems simultaneously.

According to Zafra, Trisoft has led the charge on the West Coast, employing technology innovations at its 6,000-sq.-ft. facility. In 2003, the company was the first service provider in the region to implement a THERMOFLEX platesetter. In 2004, it was the first service provider on the Coast to implement thermal processing for its plate processor. Zafra contends that with the installation of the FLEXCEL NX System, it is again leading the way on the West Coast.

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• PLATES/PLATEMAKING
• FLEXO PRINTING