James Whitehead (left) packaging solutions manager, Fujifilm UK with Brian Cawdron, director, MPH

During drupa 2016, Fujifilm signed a partnership deal with Essex-based pre-press experts, MPH Ltd, which will see Flenex FW plates provided to the company’s wide range of customers in the packaging sector, in what is a UK first.

The plates are water washable flexo plates with a total platemaking time of fewer than 40 minutes. The plates deliver longer runs while producing a consistent 200 lpi at 4400 dpi and a 1% process dot structure for superb high quality print, depending on the conditions.

The FW photopolymer plates contain a special rubber-based compound that offers a number of inherent advantages over other elastomeric materials from which most other flexo plates are made. In particular, rubber is not oxygen sensitive, which minimises the effect oxygen in the air has on the dot shape and the complexity of the system to eliminate oxygen from the plate production process.

The other advantages of a rubber-based plate material include reduced dot gain on the prints as well as better ink transfer for cleaner, brighter print results.

Being water washable obviously brings the benefits of being able to be cleaned with just water and dishwasher but the plate is also more durable and reduces the effects of plate swelling.

MPH Limited is the complete pre-press company providing high quality services to the packaging industry. The company specialises has over thirty years of experience working closely with industry leaders and printers. 

Founded in 1982 the company has made continual investment enables it to offer clients the best technology to meet demand of the market. At present its core business is centred on pre-press, flexographic print, rotary screen, proofing and packaging mockups.

MPH director Brian Cawdron, said, ‘Having seen the plate in action, and the multiple benefits it can bring to the business, we’re confident that Flenex FW will be a great fit for our customers, and we’re excited to be able to add it to our portfolio. We’re a fast turnaround business, and our customers know and respect us for this, so we’re always interested in products that are going to help us to continue to deliver what our customers need, when they need it. 

‘Also important to us was the reduced environmental impact – even when compared with other water-washable plates, as Flenex washes clean in simple dishwashing detergent.’

Quality was also a major consideration for the company, Mr Cawdron added, ‘With Flenex FW, Fujifilm has some really innovative technology which allows a flat top dot effect to be achieved very simply. This results in noticeably cleaner and brighter print results which our customers will love.’

The rubber-based compound means a 1% flat top dot can be achieved without complex systems to eliminate oxygen, and results in lower dot gain. In addition, better ink transfer produces noticeably cleaner and brighter print results.

James Whitehead, product manager at Fujifilm UK explained, ‘The plates contain a special rubber-based compound that offers a number of significant advantages over materials used in rival flexo plates. Crucially, as this compound is not oxygen sensitive, the effect of oxygen in the air on the dot shape is kept to an absolute minimum, meaning printers can achieve a 1% flat top dot without costly and complex oxygen elimination processes. This results in lower dot gain, while the superior ink transfer produces results of noticeably higher quality.’

The plates also reduce platemaking processing times to less than 40 minutes, Faster platemaking means more time on press and a dramatic increase in output per shift, and reduction in time of turning jobs around.

The cost of processing the plates is also lower than other plate technologies. Because of the simplicity of Flenex FW plate processing, the expense of higher-cost solvent and thermal processors as well as potential upcharges on associated consumables is avoided.

Mr Whitehead continued, ‘After a hugely successful drupa 2016 for Flenex FW, we’re delighted that such a respected name in the UK reprographic market has opted to become the UK trailblazer for this proven technology solution. We look forward to a long a successful partnership, from which MPH’s many customers will be the ultimate beneficiaries.’