The 4,000th Suprasetter has just left the production line of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg). The computer-to-plate (CtP) system for imaging printing plates - a Suprasetter 162 with automatic cassette loading unit from Heidelberg - was handed over to the customer Smurfit Kappa from Belgium at a ceremony held in Wiesloch-Walldorf.

Including the predecessor models Trendsetter, Prosetter, and Topsetter, Heidelberg has installed more than 10,000 CtP devices worldwide since 1997. One of the key investment criteria for customers is the opportunity to purchase CtP systems from Heidelberg along with perfectly matched Saphira consumables and the Prinect print shop workflow. Working in tandem, these components deliver optimum quality and productivity in prepress.

"The Suprasetter series is the leading CtP system in the industry thanks not least to the laser technology developed in-house by Heidelberg. Its market success proves that Heidelberg is able to use this top-of-the-range technology to meet the highest customer requirements worldwide," says Marcel Kiessling, member of the Management Board, responsible for Heidelberg Services.

"We opted for the Suprasetter, because Heidelberg offers a mix of state-of-the-art solutions and high-quality service that we believe is unrivaled in the print media industry," explains Patrick De Jaegere, Operations Manager at Smurfit Kappa.

Comprehensive performance

All Suprasetter models can be integrated into the Prinect print shop workflow. Users can also choose from a wide range of Saphira printing plates, such as Saphira Thermoplate PN, and other consumables that help unlock the system's full potential.
The presses also boast high productivity, a modular concept that enables users to adapt the devices to their growing requirements, a space-saving design, and comparatively low power consumption.

High-tech solutions for all format classes
Heidelberg had unveiled the Suprasetter series to the public at drupa 2004. The highlight of the system is the powerful and compact laser technology developed in-house. The series began with the Suprasetter 75 and 105 models for the medium and large formats. The hallmark of these models is their modular design and the potential they offer for automation.

The entry-level Suprasetter A52 and A75 models were introduced in 2006, enabling small and medium-sized advertising print shops to gain a foothold in high-quality thermal printing plate production while enjoying an attractive price/performance ratio. At drupa 2008, Heidelberg enhanced the top end of its portfolio by introducing the Suprasetter 145, 162, and 190 models for the large format.