Tokyo, Japan, & Brussels, Belgium.  – Asahi Photoproducts, a pioneer in flexographic photopolymer plate development, today reported that leading Italian-based repro house Nu-Maber has adopted Asahi AWPTM- water-washable flexo plates for both narrow- and wide-web applications. Asahi Photoproducts is known for its unique Pinning Technology for Clean Transfer, enabling kiss touch printing that delivers improved ink transfer, reduces ink filling at the mid-tone area thus reducing dot gain, and results in fewer cleaning intervals for improved overall equipment effectiveness (OEE). Nu-Maber was looking for a way to improve the quality of plates it offers its converter customers who produce food packaging, diapers, labels, shopping bags, tissue and more, while also reducing the environmental footprint associated with flexo platemaking and the operation of flexographic presses.

"Our customers are very happy with the excellent printing quality they are able to deliver with the Asahi plates," said Livio Simionato, Nu-Maber's CEO. "The quality that can be achieved with Asahi's AWPTM- plates is higher than what can be achieved with solvent-based plates, and they are much more environmentally sustainable, which is important to both Nu-Maber and our clients. In addition, the Pinning Technology for Clean Transfer that is a hallmark of these plates results in a cleaner overall printing process with fewer press stops for plate cleaning, improving pressroom productivity for our customers."

Proven Pinning Technology for Clean Transfer

Asahi offers a full range of flexographic plates featuring Pinning Technology for Clean Transfer. This unique Asahi plate technology is specifically engineered to transfer all remaining ink to the print substrate due to the photopolymer plates having a lower surface energy than other plates on the market. Not only does this deliver stunning graphical quality, but it also improves overall production efficiencies due to reduced make-ready waste and fewer press wash-ups.

"We are proud to be partnering with Nu-Maber," added Dr. Dieter Niederstadt, Asahi's Technical Marketing Manager. "Innovative companies like Nu-Maber are working hard to keep flexography viable in an ever-changing market, and their customer education efforts are critical.

We are pleased that our plates have been able to contribute to their success and that of their customers."

Pinning Technology for Clean Transfer is also ideally suited for Fixed Color Palette printing using a fixed set of 4 to 7 inks and requiring precise plate-to-plate registration, a printing process that is growing in popularity among packaging converters and brand owners alike. Some experts estimate that fixed color palette printing using seven colors can match as many as 90% or more of the 1,838 named Pantone spot colors, reducing ink inventories and improving efficiencies.

For more information about innovative flexo plate technologies from Asahi Photoproducts, visit www.asahi-photoproducts.com, or visit us at drupa in Hall 11, Stand A60.