Agfa Graphics has enhanced its violet chem-free plate solution for newspapers. Newspaper printers will benefit from 30% less gum consumption and 30% longer bath life.
The :N94-VCF plate from Agfa Graphics already offers a series of advantages compared to conventionally processed plates. In Agfa Graphics :VXCF85 clean-out unit, a pH neutral gum solution washes and protects the polymer plates and makes them ready for press. It eliminates processing parameters, is efficient in use and dramatically reduces chemical waste. The new newspaper gum extends these benefits even further.
Replenishment with gum is effectively eliminated, which also extends the bath lifecycle from 1200sqm to 1800sqm, said Eric Elyn, Coldset Plant Manager at Coldset Printing Partners in Brussels (Belgium). This is again a step forward in terms of cost savings and waste reduction, on top of the achievements inherent to using chem-free plates so far.
Violet chem-free plates make pre-press for newspapers much easier, said Reinhilde Alaert, Product Marketing Manager Visible Light Plates at Agfa Graphics. The system is more convenient to use than a conventional processor, is so much cleaner to operate as it only involves a pH-neutral gum solution and the plate performs equally well on press. With the new violet newspaper gum, the cleaning is even easier and the maintenance is reduced, which helps to better control the total cost per plate.
