Advice please - on New CTP setup

[Longy]

We are looking to upgrade our crappy AB Dick CTP (polyester plates) system.

We are on a tight budget and I was just after some advice on what I'd need for a new set-up.

The plates will be used on a Heidelberg 2 colour press (A2).

I was looking at the Agfa Acento with Azura plates - what RIP is recommended for this set up? what other equipment would I need?

Speed of platemaking isn't a big issue as we are only small time.

Any other recommendations to keep costs down?

Many thanks for your help

Darren

[santa]

Hey Longy:

We run the Acento here with the Azura plates and love it.

Ours is driven by Artworks Nexus rip but I am pretty sure that most rips can drive the Acento so you should be able to shop around and get what you need within any reasonable budget.

I would recomend sitting down with your Agfa dealer (Pitman or Expedex) and go over your needs and budget with them and see what they propose.

Regards:

Santa

[hagar_uk]

Originally Posted by Longy

We are looking to upgrade our crappy AB Dick CTP (polyester plates) system.

We are on a tight budget and I was just after some advice on what I'd need for a new set-up.

The plates will be used on a Heidelberg 2 colour press (A2).

I was looking at the Agfa Acento with Azura plates - what RIP is recommended for this set up? what other equipment would I need?

Speed of platemaking isn't a big issue as we are only small time.

Any other recommendations to keep costs down?

Many thanks for your help

Darren

Check out, Highwater, they do quite neat, good value CTP systems, which can be configured for various types of plates.

[beermonster]

harlequin rips can run most setters - and i suppose they are about as cheap as any

xitron, compose - they are oem's of harlequin

as for the ctp - ohh there's loads, so you may have to do the figures tightly to see if the azura will run economically compared to other ctp plates - i'm not convinced the azura is the cheapest plate - but offset that extra cost against plate processor maintenance costs, chemistry, power etc

when i was looking at the azura i was shown it in a small printers - maybe like yourselves - and i have to admit they loved it. clean, easy, reliable, consistent, press loved it and there was no negative feedback - even though it was a demo and i didnt really expect any.....

highwater systems seem pretty good - there's quite a few to choose

good luck

[MarkTonk]

Longy,

You may want to consider Heidelberg CtP. You have a choice of the Violet Prosetter or the Thermal Suprasetter along with workflow and plates. All compliment the press well and if you have a problem, you only have one phone call to make, Heidelberg, whether the problem is in prepress, plates or press. No finger pointing except in one direction

Heidelberg - Computer-to-Plate Overview

Regards,

Mark

[Longy]

Thank you for all the info - got a few recommendations now. Gonna get some pricing together now.

[pwydler]

I will go creo Lotem 400 used or 800 each they are 4 up and 8 up, this is a nice machine and works fine, very unexpensive, or buy a PlateJet it is conventional kodak plates. Highwater and all UV plates the processor is very difficult to mantain and the chemistry is very expensive.