Romec doubles plate production with Screen's PlateRite 4300

In a move that has doubled plate production at its Swindon site, Romec Print Solutions has upgraded its prepress division by installing its first automated CtP system from Screen.

Romec replaced its existing manual film-to-plate operation with Screen's B2 PlateRite 4300 thermal system and single auto plate loader (SA-L4300), driven by Screen's Trueflow 3 workflow software. 

The installed PlateRite is imaging Kodak's Thermal Direct plates, reducing costs and waste through chemistry free processing. Prepress speeds have improved so much at Romec that the company has maximized productivity on both its single and full-color presses.  

Peter Mendham, print solutions manager at Romec, said: ‘The system is so efficient we are now imaging 11 plates per hour as opposed to six.  Savings on chemicals and their subsequent disposal, together with a reduction in the amount of time spent cleaning the processor, has enabled us to reduce our costs by 20 per cent. Cutting back on chemical usage has also enhanced our working environment; the system doesn't emit any harmful VOC gasses into the air. It's been very well received among the 36 strong team here at Romec.’

Screen's PlateRite thermal CtP system offers printers a high level of flexibility and automation. Compact in its design and highly user-friendly, it can image both traditional and processless thermal plates from a range of suppliers. As a modular system, the PlateRite can be upgraded in the field so that it can grow with the needs of the business. Plates can be processed in daylight conditions and - when used with processless plates - do not require a separate processor. 

Mr Mendham continued: ‘As well as being a highly versatile system, the PlateRite offers unrivalled quality and reliability. The ongoing support and maintenance offered by Screen is first rate so we don't have to worry about missing deadlines through down-time. This is particularly important to Romec as we offer a mailing service on top of our commercial print operation. Problems at any stage of the process could result in us failing to deliver on time. As an existing Screen customer, Romec is confident of Screen's ability to keep us running to maximum capacity in order to help us provide the most reliable service to our clients possible.’