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TECHNICAL REPORT


“For each printer there will be a tipping point at which it will be a no- brainer. But for those outputting scores of screens a day, the cost, time and space saving benefits are sure to make computer-to-screen technology a very tempting prospect indeed”


to-screen system with 600-1200dpi, on standard frames of 117x140cm (in the case of the Spyder DTS 52) and 64x91cm (in the case of the Spyder DTS 30).


It can produce screens at over a square foot per minute and, as the marketing literature states, is aimed at ʻany screen printer that is looking to eliminate film, reduce labour, speed up job turnaround, and improve print quality.ʼ


Soon to be available in this country via MHM are the computer-to-screen machines from US-based company Richmond Graphics. Digitally prepared artwork is printed directly onto pre-coated screens using UV-resistant masking ink, which is washed through after the screen has been through the exposure process.


The brochure accompanying the product estimates that when preparing screens for an eight-colour process, it could cut the time required to prepare the screens from 2 hours 44 minutes to just 58 minutes.


The Richmond machines are likely to be attractive to those with MHM screenprinting machines, as they are to be supplied with pins in the right position to make them compatible with the pre-registration system on the MHM screenprinting machines. This, says MHM director John Potter, will dramatically reduce set up time. With the whole step of making a film positive eliminated, the computer-to-screen system is an attractive prospect for printers who produce high volumes of screens. The removal of film positives also means that less time needs to be spent ʻtouching upʼ screens to remove small discrepencies in the image that may have been picked up during the film making process.


TOP LEFT: CST’s DLE (Digital Light Engraver). ABOVE: The DLE Compact. Both machines operate with a modern UV LED light.


Further information


Natgraph – UK distributors of CST systems http://www.natgraph.co.uk/home/ CST


http://www.c-s-t.de/


MHM – UK distributors for Richmond Graphics systems http://www.mhmdirect.co.uk/


Richmond Graphics http://www.richmond-graphic.com/


Kiwo I-Jet 2 http://www.kiwo.com/Product%20pages/Computer%20to%20 screen.html


Spyder Direct-to-screen system from Exile Technologies http://www.oyo.com/products/spyder.html


Advantages


Given all of the advantages, surely computer-to-screen systems are a must have for printers? Well, for some it will depend on the number of screens they make on a daily basis. These machines come at a price, as you might expect, and many printers are unsure of how quickly their initial outlay might see a return. While Natgraph estimate (in promotional material from 2007) that a typical payback time of less than two years, many cases will be different and printers will have to make up their own minds as to whether a computer-to-screen system is a must- have or a luxury. For each printer there will be a tipping point at which it will be a no-brainer. But for those outputting scores of screens a day, the cost, time and space saving benefits are sure to make computer-to-screen technology a very tempting prospect indeed.


www.printwearandpromotion.co.uk


January 2013 | 85 |


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