London – Waldo Ltd, a Flexo tradeshop based in Louth, Lincolnshire has become the first UK company to install the Star Proof and Epson Stylus Pro WT7900 proofing solution. Established in 1984, Waldo's mission is to become a market leader in the supply of plates to the Flexible and Corrugated markets. They see innovation and investment in new technology as the key to future success in these industries.

Waldos' team of experienced artworkers and originators are well versed in proofing technology. Having previously supplied Digital Cromalin and more recently Kodak Approval proofs, Waldo were always looking for a proofing system that would offer comparable quality but at a more cost effective price. When news of a new inkjet proofing solution aimed specifically at the Flexible packaging market reached Phil Walmsley, Director at Waldo, he was immediately interested. "We had been aware of the dot proofing capabilities of Star Proof for some time. With the release of the new Epson device, now capable of printing white ink on clear and metallic substrates, the decision to make the investment was a no brainer!"

In June 2009 Waldo upgraded their digital platemaking system to an Esko 8050 CDI with high resolution Optics and HD screening. Star Proof is able to reproduce the same exceptional dot structure achieved when imaging with HD screening technology. Comments Walmsley " If we are producing high quality plates, we need the proof to replicate that same quality, right down to the dot. Star Proof also gives us the ability to match over 95% of the Pantone colour library and if we need to match a specific custom colour, the process is very straightforward – we can even produce a certified report detailing the match we are achieving for each individual spot colour in a job."

The proofing system was supplied by Pomeroy Pressroom Products and installed by Graphic Republik, with Steve Donegan, Managing Director confident that this will be the first of many such installations in the UK. "We knew a few months ago about the strengths of the Star Proof and Epson WT combination from installations we have in mainland Europe. The dot quality is superb, particularly when it comes to producing a proof at screen rulings of 150 LPI and above. The ability to reproduce accurate Spot colours on multiple substrates such as ClearProof media is also a great benefit to all involved in the packaging supply chain, from designers and artworkers through to repro houses and printers".