Hanover, Massachusetts based Graphic Developments Inc. has installed the world’s first ECRM NEWSmatic 250 CTP device to improve the speed and output quality of the company’s prepress department. “Jobs are running fifty percent faster from prepress to press, already,” said Bob Damon, Graphic Developments Business and General Manager, of the installation of the new equipment. “The entire process was absolutely seamless. Initially, we expected a slowdown when we moved the NEWSmatic 60 CTP over to the new processor but the NEWSmatic 250 was installed in less than a day. Graphic Developments first considered making the transition to CTP technology in late 2004. After speaking with representatives from The Tripp Company (Braintree, Mass.), they were convinced that improvements in quality and the amount of hazardous waste produced by the film processor were reasons enough to go CTP. Bob Davidson, Business Sales Development Manager at The Tripp Company, has supplied Graphic Developments for over twenty years. “We knew the shop and the amount of space they had to configure a CTP machine. We were positive that the NEWSmatic would be a great match, especially because they could buy two systems for the price of one competitive product.” During the initial research, Damon said they explored the potential of both thermal and violet. Violet plate costs were not a major issue as he considered the overall return on investment and quality improvements associated with CTP technology. Damon explained the reasons to go with ECRM. “As a small company, cost was very much on our mind. We considered other violet systems as well as ECRM’s. In the end, we decided that the NEWSmatic CTP had the right return on investment and would easily output the quality that our customers expect.” “The Tripp Company has been fantastic throughout this entire process,” continued Damon. “Their service department is outstanding and they really gave us the confidence to invest in CTP technology. They ensured the first NEWSmatic was configured correctly, made some quick adjustments on press and we have been impressed with the quality ever since.” George E. Davis, President and CEO, has owned and operated Graphic Developments since 1973. He was present during the installation of the NEWSmatic 250 and was also pleased with the early results. “There are not many easy decisions in this business, but these machines are absolute no-brainers; easy to use and reliable. The four color registration is right on the money,” Davis said. “Both of these NEWSmatics fit through my press room door and use 110 power. That’s real progress when you consider these machines are putting images on plates. You just can’t beat it.” One of the first jobs imaged on the NEWSmatic 250 CTP and run off the press, was a local community newspaper. Davis inspected the color and registration on the first page and commented on the job turnaround time. “At one-thirty today, this job was coming off the machine,” he said, gesturing to the NEWSmatic 250 CTP. “Between four-thirty and five-thirty today, these papers will be arriving at the South Boston postal annex, ready to be mailed out.” Graphic Developments prints a range of community newspapers, as well as trade publications for the financial and food industries. Damon described the company as one that values their customers and strives for excellent customer service. “We need to make sure that our presses are always online, that is how we have stayed successful for so long. Our customers have worked with us for years because we continuously improve our quality with the newest technology and our staff are proactive in dealing with customer needs,” he said. Don Langston, ECRM Director of Technical Support, participated in the installation of the NEWSmatic 250 CTP along with Ken Perron (The Tripp Company), Paul Kelley (ECRM) and Mike Belanger (ECRM). “We were able to run plates to check exposure settings on the NEWSmatic 250 within two hours of starting the installation. Everything, including the training for the entire prepress department, was finished in two days,” confirmed Langston. Damon agreed. “Our staff thinks these machines are so easy to use. When we installed the first NEWSmatic, we actually had to force them to go back to film temporarily to use up the chemistry. It’s great to add another CTP device and integrate it into the workflow in virtually two days.”