The team at Wikoff Graphics works hard to research and partner with the industry leading companies that can best help our customers put together the ideal pressroom for their budget and needs. We’re proud of the network we’ve assembled and stand behind each of our partners and the products and technologies we recommend.

In this post, we’re diving into the innovative photopolymer plate advancements created by Asahi Photoproducts, including their cutting-edge CleanPrint technology. Choosing the right photopolymer plates is an important decision in the flexible packaging, label, corrugated and folding carton markets. Let’s find out how Asahi’s CleanPrint technology can help you.

The underlying concept behind CleanPrint was to engineer the surface energy of the plate to optimize ink transfer, leading to higher print quality and improved efficiency. This technology eliminates the challenges associated with over-impression because the ink more readily transfers to the substrate with the ideal “kiss” impression.

A complete ink transfer does more than just improve print quality. With no excess ink accumulating on the plate surface, there is a significant reduction in ink fill-in and less press stops to clean plates. This means print runs are more efficient, with less wastage in both materials and time.

CleanPrint benefits include:

• Increase productivity due to shorter make-ready times, waste reduction and improved OEE
• Realize sharper image quality with dot sizes thinner than a human hair
• Advance sustainability initiatives and hit carbon footprint targets with fewer VOC emissions and less waste

CleanPrint is versatile—and available across Asahi’s full range of plate materials, including their innovative water wash plate technology and more traditional solvent-based solutions.

Improving Overall Equipment Efficiency (OEE) is a key aspect of keeping your pressroom operating at full capacity and protecting your profit margins. Wikoff customers that have switched to Asahi plates report the ability to run their press at higher speeds and make fewer stops for plate cleaning. And because Asahi plates are faster to clean, the press spends more of the day printing and less time down – all while reducing waste for lower costs and less environmental impact.

Switching to water wash plates is one of the most environmentally friendly moves you can make in the pressroom. Water wash plates are solvent free for zero VOC emissions throughout the entire print process, and the photopolymers can be cleaned with regular tap water.

Additional benefits of water wash plates include faster drying time after washout and no need for high temperatures.

Asahi’s water wash plates with CleanPrint technology are best-in-class with the most accurate plate-to-plate register and litho print quality with flexo or gravure applications.

Developed for extreme durability and difficult substrates, Asahi flexo plates offer the same high-quality print as their water wash plates with accurate plate-to-plate register and built-in flat top dot technology. Asahi’s flexo plates are unbelievably versatile, with sizes up to 50 x 80” for oversized printing requirements.

Whether you’re currently making your own plates or plan to in the future, Wikoff Graphics can be a valuable resource to help your pressroom run better. Our vision is to provide unparalleled support along with top-tier products and service offerings across the full range of graphics needs.

For questions about photopolymer plates, processing equipment or imaging software, we are your experts! Get in touch today.