Esko-Graphics A/s

Esko Graphics, Nv

Barco Graphics, Nv

Barco Graphics

Esko IP Nv

Hans Dewitte

Thomas Klein

Lieven Plettinck

Lieven C G Plettinck

A method, apparatus, and computer software product to reproduce an input image on a proofing device including accurately reproducing color substantially matching the screening properties of an imaging process that includes screening. The proofer may use a different number of colorants and/or different colorants than the printing colorants of the imaging process. The proofer also may be capable of continuous tone output or may be a screened output device. The proofer also may be a computer screen.

Proofing method, apparatus, and computer software product matching color and halftone screen properties

An external drum laser imagesetter providing one or more imaging beams. The drum is rotated in a fast scan direction and the one or more beams are modulated while the beams are moved in a slow scan direction. In one embodiment, the imaging beams are deflected in a slow scan direction to compensate for the spiral advance.

Method and apparatus for seamless imaging of sleeves as used in flexography

Full-format screened data is processed in a computer-implemented method to identify zones that contain printable information. The zones are packed, imaged and made into flexo plates, and elements cut out from the plates for each zone of printable information. The plates use less flexo material than the full-format screened data. The cut elements are accurately placed on a flexo plate carrier to form a set of plates on a carrier for printing the full format screened data.

Method, apparatus, and computer program for reducing plate material waste in flexography plate making

A method and apparatus for mounting printing plate segments on a printing plate carrier comprising accepting positioning data indicative of a set of first positions and loading the imaged segments onto a working surface of the loading table at approximately the corresponding first positions. The method further includes, for each segment, detecting the position of the segment on the table, and using a mechanical pick-up system to pick up the segment and to carry the segment to a final position on the carrier. The carrying is via a path determined using the detected position on the table and the final position. The table's working surface has a set of vacuum holes coupled to a vacuum system. The mechanical pick up system includes a plurality of suction caps coupled to the vacuum system to pick up the plate. One version includes a mechanism for cutting the segments from the sheet.

Method and apparatus for mounting flexographic plate segments

A computer implemented method to include microscopic perforations (perforations) in an printing plate is revealed. The particles improve the properties of the plate towards printability of an image on different kinds of offset presses. The perforations are formed by perforations which are added in a fully digital way. Aspects of the invention include of three alternative embodiments for include the repelling particles, and these alternative embodiments may be uses alone or in combination depending on the user's preferred workflow. The third alternative embodiment adds the perforations through an additional layer in the page description, this layer comprising a pattern which erases small particles in the original design elements. The first alternative embodiment adds the perforations through a modified screening method. The second alternative embodiment includes perforations into existing bitmaps.

Halftone printing plates containing microscopic perforations and methods for producing same

The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for creating an output of an imagesetter with high-resolution quality at the speed of low resolution. In the method used, the addressability of the light beam spot or spots of the imagesetter in the slow scan direction is larger than the resolution in that direction.

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Brugge, Belgium

Hans Dewitte