ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill. - Since 1994, Documation has enhanced its reputation as one of the top full-service printers in the upper Midwest. Documation, "America's Association Printer," is widely recognized as the most trusted name in sheetfed and web printing for the association market. After installing a Screen PlateRite 4300 six-up thermal CTP platesetter to replace a 4-year-old PlateRite 4000 four-up model, Documation has reaped several benefits. At the same, Documation upgraded its existing Screen digital workflow to include the latest version (V. 3.1) of Trueflow 3, Screen's PDF- and JDF-based workflow management system. The combination of six-up plate production and a robust front-end system allows Documation to offer its customers greater speed and shorter makeready times, according to company President Roy Fuerstenberg. "We expanded from a traditional half-size press relationship to include a 23 x 29-inch sheet width, and we needed the new CTP device to make the six-page plates," Fuerstenberg explained. "The PlateRite 4300 is extremely fast and provides consistent quality. The hardware and software integration works very well. We made a good decision overall." With clients in 35 states, Documation specializes in meeting/convention materials, directories, books, magazines, journals, brochures and direct-mail pieces. Two-thirds of the Eau Claire, Wis.-based firm's print volume serves national associations and association management companies throughout the country. Printing for publishers and seminar providers makes up the remainder of Documation's work. A major reason for using Screen products is the demand on Documation to meet critical timelines. Association projects are usually produced on very tight deadlines, especially education books for conferences and seminars. The company operates 20 x 28-inch and 23 x 29-inch sheetfed presses to print covers and other color items. Documation relies on a half-web press to print black-and-white text and published books in a 17 3/8-inch format. Run lengths vary from 1,000 to 100,000 impressions. The full-service bindery is equipped for perfect binding, saddle stitching, Wire-O and plastic coil binding. Other capabilities include drilling, shrink wrapping, folding and gluing. Digital printing, creative design, CD-ROMs, and mailing complement Documation's print-related services. Given the critical need for fast turnarounds, a smooth production workflow is paramount. This fact led to Documation's choice of the PlateRite 4300. The external-drum platesetter with a 32-channel infrared laser diode imaging head can output up to 20 plates per hour. It supports plate sizes from 12.8 x 14.6 inches to 32.7 x 26 inches. Different punch systems for the PlateRite 4300 ensure precise register on press when using different plate sizes. Documation opted for the SA-L 4300 single-cassette autoloader, which holds up to 100 plates and automatically removes interleaf paper before loading each plate. Trueflow 3 helps maximize accuracy and efficiency in the production process. Documation is able to turn proofs faster, and plates can go on press immediately upon approval. Documation and Screen began their association in 2001, when the printer added a Katana 5055 four-page, high-end imagesetter. The Katana served as a CTP device, and was employed extensively to produce polyester plates for Documation's half-web press. "We like dealing with a stable, state-of-the-art company like Screen," Fuerstenberg said. "We have an excellent relationship with our Screen sales representative and our service experience has been superior."