Creo plates going to Kodak?

[JoePixel]

Has anyone heard anything about Creo plates going away and being replaced with the Kodak plates?

We have the Creo trendsetter and currently use Fuji plates. We are in the process of looking at different vendors for plates and the question arose about Kodak plates replacing the Creo plates.

At a previous place I worked, they had Kodak and hated the plates. They replaced them with Creo.

My current bosses had a similar situation and used Kodak before dumping them to go with Fuji. My current bosses are worried that if we go with Creo plates that they will get phased out and be replaced by Kodak.

Saw on a previous post about some people thinking that all Creo plates would be replaced by the Kodak Sword plate. Are those plates compatible with the trendsetters?

What's the word on the street?

[seetomtype]

FWIW, I can't recall ever hearing that somebody liked the sword plates. I'm sure somebody will say that they do though...

[JoePixel]

I've worked with the Creo plates before and they seemed pretty good, but I remember the Kodak plates (not sure if they were the sword plates or not) weren't really receptive in the pressroom.

It's like Budweiser buying out Heineken and then replacing all Heineken with Bud Light. (My apologies to all Bud Light drinkers). The lower quality product buys out the higher quality product and eliminates the higher quality product.

Now I know I'm going to get alot of static for saying that Creo and Heineken are high quality, but I'm a prepress guy and I write about what I'm familiar with.

[jim_t]

I'm suprised you are having a problem with the Fuji plate - or is it an economic factor? Out of the vendors you've listed, in my opinion, you have the most solid plate with Fuji.

[JoePixel]

Fuji plates are pretty solid for us, and you guessed it, it's an economic factor.

We are trying to get a good service package/plate price from Creo since our hardware is Creo.

UPDATE: Emailed the Creo rep in our area and we had been talking for a few months about plate/service prices. He said that the previous prices and quotes he had given me are no longer valid. He would be happy to set up a meeting with a Kodak plate rep to discuss options with Kodak plates, so it looks as if they are now going with Kodak plates.

[rhctp]

I used the thermal gold at my last shop and it worked pretty well. I am using the sword excel at my new shop, and I have been pleased with it. We only run really small runs so I am sure that plays a huge factor. I would be careful looking at the new Creo plates they are made in Africa and they have had some shipping issues in the past from what I have been told. You might want to ask about that before you switch.

[pworlledge]

We just had a hi up tech in from Kodak. We are having some issues plus looking at some major equipment upgrades. His word is the Mirius (formerly Spectratec) plate will most likely be retained but addl. sales volume wont be pushed. However, it's still open and no one has made a decision for sure. this may only be worth 2 cents but he would be a well placed source.

[JoePixel]

Creo/Kodak sales reps came in last week and offered Kodak plates. They said that they still have the Creo plates, but their version of Kodak plate that they were offering was comparable to the former Creo blue plates.

Anyway, they are no longer known as Creo, they are officially Kodak. I thought they should have gone with KodakO, Creak, or Kodareo but they didn't think it was too funny.

They aren't too sure as to how everything is going to be officially handled either. Are they going to change everything to Kodak and completely drop the Creo name, are they going to shut down some offices, are they going to come out with new products and machines, they aren't too sure of much at this point, but I'm sure time will tell.