Dragon continues investing as platemaking comes in-house

Dragon Printing has brought photopolymer platemaking in-house as it looks to "move up-market in both quality and productivity".

The Sydney label and narrow-web printer invested in a Screen PlateRite FX870II flexo CTP system through distributor Jet Technologies.

It comes after Dragon installed a Gallus ECS 340 label press last year, said co-owner Paul McCullum.

"It is critical to get the photopolymer plates just right, and with today's shorter runs and more frequent plate changes, making them in-house considerably improves our service to customers," he said.

"We are moving up-market in both quality and productivity. The addition of the ECS 340 - our fifth Gallus - has increased both aspects but we needed to be in control of our platemaking.

"Jet Technologies' sales director, David Reece, introduced us to the Screen FX870II. We ran tests with their photopolymer plates and could see that this was the way forward for us."

The installation will occur in late May so Jet can exhibit the equipment at its PacPrint stand. Dragon's plates are being made at Jet's nearby technical centre in the meantime.

Jet managing director Jack Malki said: "Dragon Printing has kindly agreed to our exhibiting their Screen FX870II at the show and we expect to gain more orders on this basis.

"With the combination of Screen CTP and our photopolymer plate range - all environmentally safe with water washout - I do believe we represent outstanding value to Australia and New Zealand's narrow-web label printers."

Screen managing director Peter Scott said: "We are experiencing a surge in CTP sales for the offset market at the moment, so adding this flexo installation through our channel partner Jet Technologies is the icing on the cake.

"Screen will provide local technical support and work with Jet Technologies to ensure maximum uptime and trouble-free platemaking for Dragon Printing."

[Related: More news about installations]