According to the company, the new plate will increase the efficiency of pre-press departments by saving time and cutting the costs associated with the production of waterless plates. Once the plate is imaged, it only requires cleaning with water prior to mounting it on press.

Presstek’s Asia Pacific director, Tim Sawyer, told ProPrint that the advance would provide “significant benefits” to Australian printers.

“In addition to the environmental benefits of waterless printing and chemistry-free imaging they offer excellent quality of 300lpi and a streamlined production process which cuts operating costs and increases productivity,” he said.

The manufacturer will also use the May show to unveil a new on-press colour calibration technology that inspects each sheet with the press operating at full speed and makes necessary adjustments on-the-fly.

Presstek is to demonstrate the technology at Drupa using a five-colour 75DI digital offset press with in-line aqueous coater.

The B2-format press, which was first shown at IPEX 2010 as a prototype, is now commercially available. Presstek said it has installed the 75DI at one of the world’s largest commercial printers and one of North America’s largest in-plants.

The waterless 75DI prints at 16,000sph and is available in four- to 10-colour configurations. Presstek will also be demonstrating its 52DI digital offset press and a wide range of thermal CTP plates.

Presstek chairman president and chief executive Stan Freimuth said: “The combination of the 75DI an hour new product announcements provide exciting possibilities for Presstek’s existing and future customers, and we look forward to showing them at Drupa.”

This article originally appeared at printweek.com

Comment below to have your say on this story.

If you have a news story or tip-off, get in touch at editorial@sprinter.com.au.  

Sign up to the Sprinter newsletter