Latran’s Prediction proofers are Opaltone certified

Latran Technologies, a recognized leader with the industry's most advanced digital halftone proofing technology, and Opaltone Inc., developers of Opaltone Digital Color technology, have announced that Latran Prediction digital halftone proofers have been Opaltone certified.

Printers, prepress suppliers and designers who wish to deliver Opaltone certified contract proofs, can now do so with the Latran Prediction. Consumer Product Companies (CPC’s) continue to demand cost savings through global standardization, thus ensuring brand integrity is maintained, regardless of print location. The CPC’s message is loud and clear: predictable, repeatable and consistent process color is mandatory. True digital color reproduction must begin with a certified Opaltone (7-color) ink set.

‘Latran’s Digital Proofing technology predicts the press outcome each and every time,’ stated Bob McVey, GMF Flexo’s technology manager.

The Prediction Digital Halftone Proofing System incorporates laser ablation transfer technology, produces crisp halftone dots, and images real ink pigments onto flexible packaging substrates to produce high-resolution proofs that match the press with unparalleled accuracy. Prediction images with a precise 10-micron spot and 2540 or 2400 dpi resolution, which enables the system to accurately proof any conventional, stochastic or hybrid (flexo) screening technology. Pigment-based ink sheets provide stable and accurate density, color gamut and color fidelity for an accurate color match resulting in faster make-ready times.

GMF Flexo Prepress specializes in communications, graphic prepress services, from design through flexo color separation and plates. Currently, a large volume of their work utilizes Opaltone technology, which offers an expanded color gamut from only seven process inks: CMYK R’G’B’. GMF has used Opaltone on projects as diverse as labels and wide-web flexible packaging to folding carton applications.

‘GMF Flexo has been working with Opaltone for over four years now,’ noted Bob McVey. ‘We are thrilled with the results the Latran Prediction delivers. It simply follows the same practice that GMF applies to all our proofing needs. The inks hue, density and dot gain must be simulated accurately and consistently from proof to press on the actual substrate. Our customers continue to remark how well the Latran has matched proof to press. It’s also great to be able to ablate real pigments, which don’t fade like dyes, on the actual substrate without having the need to go to an intermediate transfer sheet. The Latran system is also extremely cost-effective and productive. Its large image area (22” x 29”) with the ability to gang up jobs offers great versatility, and the ability to reuse ink sheets is very efficient.’

‘Opaltone certification doesn’t come easy,’ explained Matthew Bernasconi, technical director of Opaltone Inc. ‘We conduct a rigorous color certification process for all digital proofing technologies. Congratulations to Latran Technologies and GMF Flexo on meeting our stringent 7-color reproduction specifications.’

‘CPC’s continue to demand Opaltone Digital Color because of its cost-effective expansion of the gamut beyond CMYK (without the use of expensive spot colors). With an extended gamut ink set and Latran’s Dalmatian Spot Color Software, we now offer the packaging industry a predictable digital proofing solution for accurate Opaltone reproduction,’ concluded Richard Deroo, Latran director of marketing & strategic alliances.