HANOVER PARK, Ill. (February 25, 2003) – Whites Creek, Tenn.-based CRT Custom Products Inc. has seen a dramatic increase in its platemaking operation since the installation of its Fujifilm Javelin thermal platesetter, says Wayne Maniscalco, CRT’s vice president of sales and marketing. “Before the Javelin, we were producing, on average, between 30 and 35 plates per shift,” Maniscalco notes. “Now, we produce between 70 and 80 plates per shift.” He adds that the company has also gone from two shifts a day, with major amounts of overtime, to one shift with minimal overtime. “We are also experiencing faster makereadies with excellent registration and color balance. We have been a complete Fuji shop for at least five years now and that’s why we chose the Javelin,” Maniscalco explains. “It works perfectly with the Rampage RIP (software) so there was a minimal learning curve for our staff.”  CRT also uses Fujifilm’s ColourKit software for scanning. Other Fujifilm products that CRT uses include the C-550 flatbed scanner, the eight-page 3100 imagesetter and the FINALPROOF and PictroProof digital proofers. Maniscalco believes the Javelin will likely improve CRT’s profit margin. “It’s a little early to tell now, but I am sure we will see an increase in profits in the first quarter of this year. The Javelin has definitely increased our productivity, so it stands to reason. “The Javelin has really made us more competitive in our area,” says Maniscalco. “We’ve already seen an increase in projects and we expect to see more.” One question that Maniscalco hears often from potential clients is, “Are you direct-to-plate in your prepress area?” As CTP technology continues to evolve, customers are now seeing the improved quality of direct-to-plate and are requiring it for their projects. With the installation of the Javelin, CRT is currently 98% CTP. CRT Custom Products has 100 employees with seven in the prepress department. The company is a commercial printer specializing in small-to-medium runs and clients include Sony Music Nashville, EMI Music and Computer Associates.