The new face of waterless offset printing

Prost?jov/Czech Republic, - Toray Graphics in the Czech Republic., a leading manufacturer of waterless offset plate technology, will be bringing an array of brand-new products to drupa 2016, scheduled for 31 May through 10 June 2016 in Düsseldorf. An array of new plates serving six different industry segments will be on display, marking the largest Toray product launch ever. In addition, the company will conduct a technology demonstration of a super high resolution plate developed specifically for security printing based on a brand-new technology. Toray will be located in Hall 16, Stand D32 at the show.

New waterless plates "Add value to print!"

"We are confident that this vast increase in our plate product portfolio will persuade even more printing houses to switch to waterless offset printing," said Mitsunori Hayashi, General Manager of the Graphics Division in the Czech Republic. "We now have plates that are specifically targeted for newspapers, labels, security printing, CDs/DVDs, general commercial printing and metal decoration, meeting the requirements of each application, thus increasing the benefits of 'going waterless'. Toray will be providing at least new two plate versions for each market segment, a high-resolution plate and an extra-durable plate.

Hayashi reports that these new plates are based on further development advancements in Toray's renowned, proprietary polymer technology that customers have come to count on for achieving the best offset print quality. The plates are manufactured in the Toray factory in the Czech Republic using a similar production process as the one used in Japan but modified to meet the specific needs of European and North American markets.

Super- High Resolution printing plate technology demonstration

Toray will also be showing a technology demonstration of another brand-new plate developed specifically for the security printing market. This brings the total number of plate types for security printing to three. This super-high resolution plate is a completely new technology, different from every other waterless plate on the market.

It will be able to produce dot sizes of 10 microns or less, enabling the reproduction of very fine lines and micro- text features for documents such as passports, government identity cards, negotiable documents and more. This super-high resolution waterless printing capability will not only deliver the highest possible quality for these important applications, but will also be an important aid in the critical area of counterfeit prevention.

Waterless Association meeting point

"We've been an avid supporter of various waterless printing associations around the world," Hayashi says, "and at drupa, our stand will also act as a meeting point for members of these associations and other interested parties. This will ensure that visitors to our stand have access to everything they need to know about waterless printing, today and into the future." Associations who will use Toray's stand as a meeting point include:

· The European Waterless Printing Association (EWPA);

· The International Waterless Printing Association (IWPA); and

· The Japanese Waterless Printing Association (JWPA).

Waterless Benefits

In addition to improving quality and lowering water consumption, waterless printing also reduces waste and eliminates the need for toxic chemicals in the printing process. "Reduction of water consumption can be significant," explains Hayashi. "UK-based Seacourt Printing reports it has already marked a cumulative savings of more than eight million litres of water in addition to a reduction in VOCs of 98.5%." Seacourt Printing bills itself as the first zero-waste-to-landfill printer in the world and has chalked up an impressive set of awards and certifications, including two prestigious Queen's Awards for Sustainable Development.

By switching to waterless printing technology, printers can save time and money as well as natural resources. Less water consumption, less makeready waste, no toxic chemicals, higher quality-it all adds up to a smaller environmental footprint and cost savings for both printers and their customers.

For more information please see our web site: www.toraywaterless.com