New Esko certification program recognizes best in class plate makers
June 18, 2020Esko has rolled out a new XPS
Crystal Certification Program to recognize those plate making businesses that
consistently produce superior flexo plates and flexographic print quality.
Esko Flexo Certification 1The global developer
of integrated hardware and software solutions for the print and packaging
industry introduced the scheme as a way for companies to communicate their
‘best in class’ plate offering, reassuring supply chain partners and brand
owner customers of both best practice in production processes and consistent
quality of final print.
“The certification scheme was developed specifically to ensure the entire
supply chain can meet the exacting needs and requirements of brands and
converters in terms of predictable and accurate plate quality and the highest
plate making consistency available, for any given photopolymer,” said Pascal
Thomas, Director of Flexo Business at Esko. “It’s a confirmation of production
excellence. Certified members can assure their customers of optimum quality and
performance in their plates and resulting print.”
Pascal said the XPS Crystal Certification Program is open to all users of its
innovative XPS Crystal exposure units. “Beyond the obvious external
communication benefits, certified members will be able to verify their plate
making process against the industry benchmark. This also serves to help track
plate quality over time and catch potential issues before they occur on press.”
The award winning Esko XPS Crystal technology optimally combines UV main and
back exposure, using LEDs that always emit consistent UV light as opposed to
traditional exposure frames, which use lightbulbs with fluctuating output.
Winner of the prestigious FTA award, 2017 Intertech Technology Award, 2019 EFIA
Technology award and the Red Dot Award for Product Design, the XPS Crystal
delivers a simultaneous and optimally controlled UV main and back exposure to
produce highly consistent digital flexo plates.
Esko is introducing this new scheme following the success of its very
successful HDFlexo certification program for Esko Flexo Certification 2flexo
platemaking. The new certification is offered as part of the XPS Crystal maintenance
contract and the process can be started either on installation, during a
preventative maintenance visit, or upon request. Certification is valid for 24
months and during this period Esko will support members’ quality control by
verifying both imaging quality and the processing quality of equipment in
comparison to the company’s ‘Certified Benchmark Reference’.