Pinning Top Dot Technology Supports Fixed Colour Palette Printing Techniques With No Compromise In Quality

Tokyo, Japan & Brussels, Belgium – Asahi Kasei E-materials Corporation, a pioneer in flexographic photopolymer plate developmentand parent entity globally known as Asahi Photoproducts, will be exhibiting at IGAS 2015, taking place from 11-16 September in Tokyo. Asahi will be located on stand E2 2-17at the show with featuring its Pinning Top Dot plate technology, which enables a broad colour gamut, vibrant colour reproductions, soft tonal shades and improved productivity. It is also the ideal solution for fixed colour palette printing which is rapidly gaining in popularity among flexographic printers looking to optimize colour and reduce ink costs.

“IGAS 2015 is an important show for us,” says Mr. Hidekatsu Hirayama, Sales & Marketing Manager for Asahi Japan Region. “We believe our Pinning Top Dot technology can help leading flexographic companies maintain their competitive advantage in Asia’s demanding and dynamic labels and packaging environment.”

Sam Yamamoto, Senior Manager for Asahi Asia & Pacific Region, adds, “At IGAS, we will be showing all of the latest developments in flexographic plates, and our experts will be on hand to answer attendees’ questions. Pinning Top Dot technology (PTD) was designed by Asahi to improve flexographic print quality with the option of an environmentally sustainable water-wash system or a solvent washable plate. At the same time, all Asahi solutions ensure no-compromise print quality with the fixed colour palette printing technique, which delivers both cost and quality benefits to brand owners and their flexographic suppliers. Our development efforts have been driven by collaboration with creative agencies, trade shops, brand owners and printers to ensure the right mix of capabilities to meet all of their needs. We are excited to be sharing our solutions and expertise with show attendees.”

Pinning Top Dot: The Details

A feature of both Asahi’s solvent-washable TOP and TSP and water-washable AWP™ plates, Pinning Top Dot technology (PTD) enables a clean ink transfer and prevents ink accumulating on the plate surfaces and shoulders in screen areas. This leads to fewer cleaning intervals and reduced press downtime, as well as significant quality improvements.

PTD allows a kiss-touch printing pressure setting. It makes use of low plate surface tension, made possible by a specially engineered Asahi polymer chemistry, to inhibit liquid flow. The ink forms a globule, with a large contact angle and high pinning point. This results in a cleaner and more homogeneous ink transfer from plate to substrate, helping flexographic printers meet the ever increasing quality demands of their customers.

Further contribution to corrugated post-print market

In addition to its PTD plate lines, Asahi will also show its new version ofTenaflex™ liquid polymer resin and AFP™-CH new solvent thick plate. Tenaflex™ resin features solid plate level of printing quality and durability in a liquid plate resin for Japanese post-printed corrugated market which requires world highest print quality. The resin has a hybrid performance that combines the advantages of liquid resin including 3 layer polymer structure with the enhanced technical properties of a solid plate, including increased plate resilience and strength. AFP™-CH is newly developed thick plate achieving reduced flute-mark through newly developed polymer technology.

Sam Yamamoto adds, “Asahi first brought innovative liquid resin technology to market more than 40 years ago, and we are proud that our innovation continues today. These latest developed polymers will help customers maintain a leadership position in the highly competitive corrugated market. All of Asahi’s new technologies bring value to the markets we serve, and we are pleased to be sharing them with IGAS 2015 attendees!”