Screen recently announced a series of products to be showcased at the upcoming drupa exhibition. At the same time, Screen's Singapore office welcomed a new vice-president and director posted from Tokyo headquarters. Christel Lee from PrintPackPublish Asia reports.
Screen Singapore recently welcomed Keiichi Kometani as vice-president and director for media precision division. Hailing from Japan, Kometani began his career at Screen in 1985 and was initially responsible for the domestic sales division. Prior to his posting to Singapore, he was the general sales manager for Tokyo.
Since last drupa, Screen's products have been well received in the industry especially its CtP systems. "Lately, the industry has been watching the prices of films escalate, while print runs have declined," comments Kometani. "In Japan, we have also witnessed the same decline. This drives customers to adopt CtP, which allows them to enjoy savings of cost and time as one step has been eliminated in the prepress.
"From the regional perspective, there has been growth in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and India in the last three years. We are confident that this pattern will continue," he states.
When quizzed about the possible silver lining versus market pressure that Screen negotiates with declining print runs, Kometani remains optimistic. He acknowledges: "Without a doubt print runs are declining with the aggressive attack from online content. Packaging is one sector that is resilient and offers growth opportunities for us. Print-on-demand remains our focus in the business as well as transpromo and direct marketing. CtP has successfully captured the medium- and top-tier printers. The lower-tier customers are still looking for economical solutions for their setups."
He adds, "With our products, we anticipate the most response from India for our presses at drupa. We anticipate substantial interest in our CtP to account for overall assessment of the product portfolio response. However, we are not omitting Singapore as one of our biggest countries of focus."
Screen's stand will be in Hall 9, where it will present a new automated solution integrating offset and variable printing based around the EQUIOS Universal Workflow, under a theme of 'Take a Closer Look'.
At the exhibition, Screen intends to display a range of comprehensive products and solutions that promptly answer both current diversified needs as well as future trends. Using actual samples and demonstrations, Screen will introduce solutions including 'Web to Delivery Automation', a totally automated process spanning from variable data creation and output to multiple different devices to error detection and reprinting instruction, and finally post-press processing. Demonstrations will also be given of enhanced output devices included in these solutions.
With its exhibits this year, Screen is aiming to both introduce an innovative integrated workflow for variable printing and also contribute to the further expansion of the international printing business and industry in the future.
Product showcase
At drupa 2012, Screen will introduce the EQUIOS fully automated Autoflow solution. The EQUIOS Universal Workflow is able to control multiple different output devices within a single operating environment, providing a prompt answer to the needs of an industry transitioning from conventional mass production to personalised printing. Autoflow creates an optimised process in which it is possible to easily incorporate an order receipt menu for printed materials into any company's proprietary Web service, automating all steps from order receipt to output and even post-press processing.
Screen will also display the Truepress Jet520ZZ, its flagship full colour variable printing system, as well as JetInspection, an inspection unit for a variable printing system. Linking of these two systems provides an inspection and reprinting solution for transaction and book printing workflows. Even if errors are generated in printing or post-press processing, a high-efficiency reprinting function enables feedback to inkjet printers and post-press processing devices and in the future, even third-party toner-based printers, automatically resolving the errors. There will also be an introduction of many of EQUIOS' other enhanced features supporting Web to Delivery Automation.
Main exhibited products
• EQUIOS Universal Workflow
With its Autoflow solution, this universal workflow enables full automation of all processes from data submission to output and post-press processing.
• Truepress JetSX full-colour variable sheet-fed printing system
This B2 full-colour variable sheet-fed inkjet printing system is equipped with a duplex printing mechanism. Screen has recently developed a new optional function for paper board up to 0.6 mm (23.6 mil) thick.
• Truepress Jet520ZZ full-colour variable printing system
This is the flagship model of the Truepress Jet520 series, specifically developed for high throughput. At drupa 2012, Screen will demonstrate the indispensable inspection and reprinting solutions available for variable printing through linkage to EQUIOS and JetInspection.
• Truepress Jet520 full-colour variable printing system
This standard model for the Truepress Jet520 series has established a strong sales record for various applications including transpromo, book, and newspaper printing. At Screen's drupa stand, a demonstration will be given introducing the system as an on-demand book printing solution.
• Variable Front-end Service (temporary name)
This is a provisional exhibit of a pay-per-use service that allows the creation of variable data in a Web browser using cloud computing technology.
• PlateRite HD 8900Z thermal plate recorder
This A4-size 8-page flagship model delivers series-leading ultra-fast output of 67 plates per hour at 2,400 dpi (1,030 x 800 mm/40.5" x 31.4"). It has also been designed to maximise environmental friendliness.
• PlateRite FX1524 flexo/letterpress CtP
With Screen's original Flexo Dot screening option, this system provides a maximum resolution of 4,800 dpi and stabilised relief formation of highlight areas, allowing it to deliver flexo CtP processing of even higher quality.
