Targeting end-of-life systems for economical trade-in program

Ann Arbor, Mich. – Xitron, the leading independent developer of RIP and workflow products for commercial, digital, and high-speed inkjet printing, and Platesetters.com, the US leader in refurbished CTP sales, have announced a joint program to assist printers who are still using violet-based CTP systems. Most owners of these systems have been notified by the manufacturers that they will reach end-of-life status in 2019. End-of-life typically means that service and support provided by the manufacturer will no longer be available, leaving independent service and parts distribution as the only means to keep equipment running.

“We’ve been planning for this for over a year,” said Jeff VanderWeert, President of Platesetters.com. “We believe we have built up a sufficient supply of refurbished Screen PT-R CTP engines to handle the demand of printers looking to exit violet platemaking right away.” The immediate benefits include lower operating costs, a wide choice of competitive plate suppliers, plus an opportunity to eliminate plate processing and chemistry with develop-on-press plates, if desired. “In addition,” added Jeff, “the customer can enjoy the peace of mind that comes from knowing they are running the most popular and stable CTP engines ever developed.”

The replacement bundle includes a Xitron Navigator RIP & workflow that is completely scalable according to the needs of the customer. Based on the Harlequin 12.0 release (the first PDF 2.0 compatible RIP), available options include in-RIP trapping, preflight, imposition, and proofing. Navigator drives the PT-R series of platesetters directly through Xitron’s ubiquitous USB interface, of which nearly 5,000 are now in service around the world.

“Xitron and Platesetters.com have worked successfully together many times in the past,” said Pat French, Regional Sales Manager for Xitron. “By formalizing this program, our goal is to help affected printers make the transition to thermal plates as easily and cost effectively as possible.”

For more information, interested violet CTP users can contact Platesetters.com at (888) 380-7483, and [email protected], or Xitron at 734-918-8083 and [email protected].