Gavin Allen, director of the Brisbane-based printer, told ProPrint that the Auraia-II system from UK developer Hamillroad had more than doubled the lines it could achieve from its chemistry-free plates.

Plates that had only allowed 200lpi were now delivering 450-500lpi thanks to the digitally modulated screening system, he said.

“It consistently produces printed results of a quality far in excess of what you might think possible using traditional methods,” said Allen.

“The printers are the guys who notice the difference because they’re laying down less ink and less ink on the press means less trouble.”

Crystal Media started with Auraia-I in 2010, before upgrading to the Auraia-II six months ago.

Allen said the Auraia-I had been perfect for 3D lenticular work, but hadn’t worked well with uncoated stock. That problem had been solved by the Auraia-II, he added, which meant the 15-person operation could now use the same process for all jobs.

Hamillroad chief executive Andy Cave described the difference in quality between 200 lines and 450-500 lines as like the difference between analogue and HD televisions.

He said printers who used the Auraia-II would get “incredible detail and no visible rosettes” and “flat tints that are even smoother than conventional screening”.

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