Why should I expect plate quality to improve by bringing in platemaking in-house versus what I experience with professionals that focus solely on platemaking and prepress?
An incentive to bring platemaking in-house is often cost savings and fear of a press going down if a plate is damaged, missing, or worn out. In short, what happens when I have no back-up plate? The thought of bringing platemaking in-house is more likely to bring fears of what if we can’t make a plate as good as our existing supplier. The expectations of making even better quality/performing plates are often one of skepticism. But the reality of the situation is that it is VERY likely that you can.
How can that be?
Advancements in equipment and polymers have truly made platemaking very user friendly with some systems being installed and users trained in as little as 2-3 days. Industry professionals like APR’s TSG then optimize the equipment and polymer hand in hand with the user. But here is where the true advantage takes place… A plate supplier rarely has access to daily communication with the pressroom (the end-user). An in-house platemaker gets immediate feedback from the press department on an ongoing basis. If press operators are struggling with ink delivery or dirty print, some of those root causes can be affected by adjustments in platemaking.
Maybe a better way to look at it is a NASCAR or Formula 1 driver is in constant communication with their pit crew. When they pull into the pits the crew has the data to further optimize the machine to ensure the best possible outcome. The true benefit of in-house platemaking is the understanding of the system and having the knowledge to further optimize for continued improvement while taking the ongoing data supplied by the pressroom. When was the last time your plate supplier talked with you about your printing challenges?
If you want to learn more about this subject, please feel free to reach out to us by calling 1-800-445-4017, or by e-mail at [email protected].
All Printing Resources has formed our Technical Solutions Group (TSG) to encompass our full range of expertise in all critical areas of the flexo process. This team is made up of industry professionals dedicated to being up-to-date on new technologies along with best practices. They are armed with the latest in diagnostic tools and are experienced in problem-solving that can achieve sustainable results. The TSG has walked in your shoes, and have felt your pain.