Esko rolls out Quartz flexo ecosystem globally

Esko has started global sales of the Quartz flexo ecosystem, which complements the Crystal ecosystem and is a top-of-the-line addition to the Esko digital flexo portfolio.

The Esko Quartz ecosystem complements the Crystal ecosystem as a top-of-the-line addition to the Esko digital flexo portfolio, offering a dual optics system that supports both legacy and forward-looking flexo platemaking with optimized Quartz Screening.

The Esko Quartz ecosystem is compatible with solvent and water-based inks, delivering an increased density of up to 0.7 for water-based inks, which are becoming increasingly popular due to their sustainability benefits.

The new Esko CDI Quartz delivers new levels of quality with smoother ink coverage, better contrast and deeper shadows, as well as solid ink density increased by up to 0.7 to achieve new levels of depth. The company said that the solids are smoother with no pinholes or negative artefacts and the technology eliminates dot-bridging as negative small elements stay open longer, keeping fades and pictures cleaner.

The CDI Quartz also features improved tonal range in print with higher ink laydown, enabling the usage of finer anilox rollers and adds sustainability gains by reducing ink usage and compatibility with water-based inks.

‘When we first introduced the Quartz ecosystem at drupa last year, we hailed the technology as the pinnacle of flexo platemaking,’ said Pascal Thomas, director of flexo product management with Esko. ‘Following further development work and testing with our customer community, we are absolutely thrilled to be now making this innovation available to all those printers and converters across the globe looking to achieve incredible new standards in flexographic print quality. The first shipments should be expected by September.

‘New Quartz optical technology enables users to image higher frequency surface structures at 2000 lpi (Q-Cells) with an imaging resolution of 4,000 ppi, providing another major leap forward in flexo plate imaging speed and print quality. Imaging at 4,000 ppi is nearly double the current industry standard, and microcells engraved in the solid ink areas at a 2000 lpi resolution is proven to significantly boost ink transfer, delivering a way for print converters to match gravure print quality in flexography.’

Eddy Fadel, general manager and vice president of Esko Digital Flexo Solutions, added: ‘With the new Esko CDI Quartz ecosystem, the company continues to deliver solutions that accelerate go-to-market while meeting the needs of its customers. This brand-new, top-of-the-line complete flexo platemaking solution raises the bar on quality to the very highest level. The Esko Quartz ecosystem truly enables flexo printers to achieve the optimum results for their customers.’

According to Jan De Roeck, CMO at Esko, the screening technology is an evolution from the award-winning Esko Print Control Wizard software, which uses all critical print parameters and variables such as imaging resolution, exposure settings, plate, substrate, anilox, press type and inks, to simplify the flexo platemaking process.

‘The software standardizes the generation of Crystal Screens specifically used in combination with the XPS Crystal flexo plate LED UV exposure unit,’ said De Roeck. ‘With the CDI Quartz we have taken that to the next level, adding VQ (variable highlight Q-cells) and SQ (stochastic Q-cells) for unrivalled screening accuracy.

‘This is a perfect combination of Esko flexo systems and software. The Quartz cells form in a flexo plate when exposed with the UV LED technology of the XPS, providing highly consistent and repeatable plate quality.’

Not only does the technologically advanced Quartz produce the most accurate and best quality plates, but it also reduces ink usage, making them cleaner to use. “What’s more, it does all this while delivering the absolute best quality final print,” said Jan. “It’s a genuine game-changer in flexo platemaking.”

According to De Roeck, gravure is still widely considered to deliver the best in print quality in flexible packaging. However, the Esko Quartz ecosystem allows printers to match that print quality in flexography.

The new Esko Quartz is available as an ecosystem solution including the CDI Quartz, the XPS, Quartz screening and premium care plan. It is now commercially available for the plate sizes 4835, 4260 and 5080.