Do more with Flexo Grant Blewett Segment marketing manager EAMER.

Do more with Flexo

Grant BlewettSegment marketing manager EAMER

Agenda

Why the need for a new digital plate making system. Understanding the limitations of modern CTP for Flexo. Introducing the Kodak Flexcel NX system. Introducing a breakthrough for Aqueous and Solvent printing. Business benefits.

Why invent a new digital flexo plate system?

Flexo had a significant constant growth in packaging printing since its introduction more than 75 years ago

Digital flexo plates have been available for over a decade

Flexo is now the leading print process for packaging

Today

Kodak Flexcel NXToday

Kodak Flexcel NXLaser Ablative Flexo System

Laser Ablative Flexo System

19301930

The challenge

Yet the most common complaints from printers are still based on technical limitations such as:

Unacceptable color matching to proof and other print processes.

Inconsistency in the process

Unpredictability of resultsjob-to-job, and run-to-run

Flexo has to move forward to meet the demands of brand owners and printers

Typical LAMS plate processing and results

Flexo tries to match the original image

Without adjustment it fails, leaving hard edges

Original tonal values 0% - 100%

Uncorrected plate loses dots in highlights, first dots at 10% area (example for 150lpi)

Uncorrected print shows hard edge

FileFile

PlatePlate

PrintPrint

Typical LAMS plate processing and results

Flexo tries to match the original image

A bump curve is used to set the minimum dot size

Bump is applied to compensate highlight loss, tonal range is compressed to 10% - 100%

Compensated plate values range 2-3%-100%

Final compensated print

FileFile

PlatePlate

PrintPrint

LAMS plates: a renown limitation

Measurability Inking & Printing predictability

Effects of “round top” surface

Kiss impression = ? % dot

3 µ Impression = 4% dot

6 µ impression = 9% dot

• How do we calibrate?

• What will it print?

Considering a typical LAMS

dot profile cross section

Results with the Flexcel NX System

Result: gravure class reproduction of the original

Original offset separation

Original Tonal Range 0% - 100%

Plate tonal range 0% (0.4%) – 100%

Up to 300 lpi – 120 lpcm

FileFile

PlatePlate

PrintPrint

How do we solve this with Flexcel NX

LAMS plate vs. Flexcel NX plate Flexcel NX System achieves stable flat top dot structure Provides consistent structure and repeatability on press

LAMS plate vs. Flexcel NX plate Flexcel NX System achieves stable flat top dot structure Provides consistent structure and repeatability on press

Kodak DigiCap NX Screening

Boosting ink transfer in flexo printing

Deliver greater shelf impact at the same or lower price

An additional Flexo challenge

Especially when printing on filmswith solvent inks:

Insufficient density

Uneven ink laydown

Narrow color gamut

Limitations in these areas mean:Flexo print lacks the visual impact of gravure

Print that lacks brilliance

Many special colors are used

Split plates are common

More expensive inks and higher volume anilox

What’s wrong with traditional digital flexo?

Efficient ink transfer is always an issue, especially with solvent inks on flexible substrates

Split plates and high volume anilox are often required to get required opacity

Poor ink transfer throughout tonal scale contributes to reduced color gamut

Voids in printed solids reduce the visual impact

Traditional Digital Flexo Black

Previous attempts to improve ink transfer

Plate surface texturization has long been thought to hold the key to improved ink transfer:

Mechanical methods have been tried

Plate coatings have been tried

Digitally imaged plate cell patterning has been tried

But none have delivered dramatic improvements or been consistently successful

Traditional plate cell patterning

Take a closer look: 4pt Text @ 30X magnificationNo surface texturization

Traditional Plate Cell Patterning Applied

Kodak DigiCap NX Screening Applied

Now at 60X magnificationNo surface texturization

Traditional Plate Cell Patterning Applied

Kodak DigiCap NX Screening Applied

A 70% tint at 250X magnificationNo surface texturization

Traditional Plate Cell Patterning Applied

Kodak DigiCap NX Screening Applied

Real prints show the power of Kodak DigiCap NX Screening

Traditional Digital FlexoFlexcel NX Plate with Kodak DigiCap NX Screening applied

Smooth ink laydown

Same press, same ink, same anilox, same substrate

Higher density gives increased color gamutKodak DigiCap NX Screening is not just for solid areas…

Higher densities throughout the FULL tonal range enable significantly expanded color gamut

Traditional Digital Flexo color gamut

Expanded color gamut delivered by Flexcel NX

System with Kodak DigiCap NX Screening applied

Measured densities in this example

Traditional Digital Flexo

Flexcel NX withDigiCap NX

C 1.30 1.50

M 1.25 1.45

Y 1.00 1.20

K 1.40 1.70

Achieve better printing today

Deliver print with greater visual impact Same print conditions:

Higher densities Cleaner tones Finer detail Greater contrast

Differentiated Print

At standard print conditions and line screens Flexcel NX Plates

dramatically improve the visual impact of your print. Print Buyers are

impressed with the strong colors and clean tones.

Explore new opportunities tomorrow

Do more with process color printing Make co-printed designs a reality Open the door for gravure class quality

Optimize your press Print up to 175 lpi in regular production

Give brand owners greater design freedom

Differentiated Print

Designs that were previously only achievable with roto-gravure are now in regular flexo

production with Flexcel NX Plates. Co-printing designs can restore profitability to

short runs jobs.

Gravure like print quality at 175lpi

Impactful densities

High contrast for maximum shelf impact

Expanded color gamut, more 4 color process

Opening the door for co-printed designs

Taking flexo where it has never been before:

Kodak DigiCap NX Screening Business Benefit

In summary

Trends and Realities of Today

Brand integrity

Complex graphics

Print inconsistencies

Price pressures

Increasing costs

Production complexity

Global competition

Environmental pressures

Flexcel NX System Opportunities

Greater visual impact

Differentiated print offerings

Stable, consistent, robust printing

Profitable, shorter runs

Ink and substrate savings

Simplified production

More billable hours

Sustainability improvements

Differentiated Print

Production Efficiencies

Waste Reduction

Questions?

Thank you for your attention