HANOVER PARK, Ill. (July 25, 2002) -- Those making the decision to go computer-to-plate also find themselves turning into somewhat of a detective, uncovering the clues that will help them solve their digital dilemmas. Not only must today’s printers investigate the requirements of going CTP, but then they must also investigate the various manufacturers and their product offerings. "We spent several months looking into what it would take--and then educating ourselves and our customers--before making the decision to go CTP," explains Lori Seibel, marketing director for Waukesha, Wis.-based Graphics Factory. A medium-sized sheetfed printer working with a number of businesses in the Milwaukee area as well as in northern Illinois, Graphics Factory completed the transition to CTP with a recently installed Fujifilm Dart Luxel T6000 thermal platesetter and PictroProof digital color proofer. While the technological switch to CTP may be relatively quick, getting customers to make the switch can take a bit longer. "We really worked to educate our customers on CTP technology," says Seibel. "We still have a few customers who like to see film, but now all of our work is digital." Seibel said the result of the switch has been enhanced quality and much quicker throughput. "When you want to make even a small change when dealing with film, you have to make an entire new set of films," she explains. "With CTP, we can make a quick change and have minimal impact on our schedule. The Dart has streamlined our plating process." The four-up Dart offers consistent plate quality and fast processing speed via an advanced clamping technology, which assures secure attachment of plates, as well as an internal automatic punch that ensures repeatability. Outputting 16 thermal plates (four-page) per hour at 2,400 dpi, the platesetter combines high productivity with high-quality image. It was the purchase of a Heidelberg Quickmaster DI over three years ago that prompted those at Graphics Factory--a one- to five-color sheetfed printer that is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year--to begin thinking about going direct-to-plate. "That sort of opened our eyes to the idea," Seidel says. While investigating the various CTP options, Graphics Factory worked with graphic arts dealer London Litho, who recommended Fujifilm. "We decided to go with Fujifilm because we knew we would have the continued training and support that we would need," comments Seibel. "Everything has been at our disposal and they have helped us tremendously." Another important part of the investigation into an all-digital workflow was the decision for digital proofing. Seibel says the prepress department at Graphics Factory has found the Fujifilm PictroProof to be "well-designed and easy to maintain." The PictroProof uses Fujifilm’s proprietary Thermal Development and Transfer Technology, a revolutionary laser diode-exposed imaging process, which is capable of producing fast, high-quality color results. In addition, PictroProof utilizes CMY donor material and receiver paper to simulate commercial printing ink and stock. The digital proofer replicates the color and feel of an analog proof without any chemicals or toners. PictroProof also offers competitive advantages, including quick print time, ease-of-operation, low maintenance, automatic calibration, high resolution and environmentally friendly processing.