“We are always looking for new and better technologies for the Indian market,” said Sunil Kokane, product manager for TechNova Imaging Systems, Asahi’s distributor in the region. “At the show, we displayed flexographic print samples printed using AWP plates imaged on an Esko Crystal XPS system whose simultaneous UV main and back exposure produces highly consistent digital flexo plates.”

Kokane said these plates offer significant advantages, including high quality print and many environmental benefits, including the elimination of solvents. Asahi’s clean transfer technology also reduces the number of press stoppages for plate cleaning, making operations much more efficient and allowing faster production times with less waste, even for very long runs.

“Asahi’s product expertise and global quality leadership combined with TechNova’s wide market reach, exceptional customer support, efficient supply chain and vast distribution network, continues to create a winning synergy for our customers,” Kokane added.

“Printing operations stand to reap huge benefits from moving to AWP plates,” said Makoto Nagata, assistant sales manager overseas for Asahi Kasei/ Asahi Photoproducts. “Companies like Czech-based Colognia Press are seeing press uptimes of more than 50%, up from 25% with their previous plates, and even report running a 22-hour job with one set of plates, no stops, and with very consistent quality from beginning to end. In our experience, AWP plates make these types of results very achievable for flexo printers”