Teach you how to buy CTP? (one)

1,CTP equipment purchase and use guide
At present, the domestic CTP equipment market is showing a rapid increase in temperature, but for many users who are interested in investing in CTP equipment, due to the lack of available experience, little is known about the issues that should be paid attention to in CTP investment. This article has included some of the industry’s Experts and some of the valuable opinions of the forerunners in the CTP market wanted to draw a reference “flow chart” for printing plants that are preparing to invest in CTP equipment.

Before the purchase

A "face": hardware and software preparation

To introduce CTP equipment must be fully prepared on the hardware and software, the newspaper consultant Summer Jun said that before the purchase of CTP equipment, prepress system must be comprehensively arranged and upgraded, including: preparation of large-format scanners, imposition and Handle software, adjust network bandwidth, and more. The traditional way of printing newspapers is to process text, images, and commercials separately. The use of CTP equipment requires that the original image information be converted into dot matrix format so that the text, image, and advertisement content can be output on the same plate. This requires a large-scale, high-precision, and high-speed scanner. On the other hand, after the original image information is digitized, the data information occupies a large amount of storage space in the computer. Therefore, the computer and network bandwidth must be upgraded. At the same time, digital proofing is also one of the important steps to achieve smooth operation of CTP equipment.

The introduction and update of software and hardware require reliable financial guarantees. A large-format scanner needs 1 million to 1.5 million yuan. If the software is used for integration on the basis of the original equipment, it only costs 700,000 yuan. The adjustment of network bandwidth and the updating of software and imagesetters require about 1 million yuan. The update of other equipment depends on the circumstances.

Newspaper printing companies can use the Beijing Daily as a reference. Beijing Daily acquired a full set of Danish direct plate-making systems from Yanjing Bank in November 1999, including a DMX2737 computer-to-plate machine and a DM HS computer-based direct plate-making system. Machine, two ESKOSCAN "Color Domination" large flatbed COPYDOT scanners that are compatible with the above system.

Commercial printing companies can use Xi'an Coal Navigation Map Printing and Printing Company as their reference. In 2001, the company upgraded the equipment on the basis of the old system of electric extensions, scanners, and photo-setters, and introduced Heidelberg Putian D7100 Drum Scanner, Xinba 4200 Platform Scanner, Dingsheng 102 Direct Platesetter and HP DJ5000 VI. Digital inkjet printers. The company's CTP system consists of two major components. One is Barco's professional software and hardware consisting of three major production systems: bookplates, packaging, and maps; the second is the Heidelberg Delta workstation, the Dingsheng 102 direct platemaking machine, and digital proofing. system.

Second "face": technical, talent and management preparation

CTP technology is closely integrated with modern science and technology. Before printing companies use CTP equipment, they must have a good technical and talent pool, and have a sound quality control system.

Peng Guihui, director of Xi'an Coal Shipping Company, mentioned that the following factors should be taken into consideration when purchasing CTP equipment: First, pre-press operators must have DTP work experience and certain color management knowledge; secondly, companies have strict product quality control systems; The digitized workflows used (such as the PS process and the PDF process) must be compatible universal digital interfaces and can effectively interpret any data stream generated by any front-end production software, especially trapping.

Three "Faces": Preparation for Digital Management

The introduction of CTP technology not only involves technological innovation, but also brings the concept of digital management, which requires companies to digitally manage the printing process in order to carry out real-time monitoring. Summer Jun Jun, an advisor for the newspaper, talks about CTP technology and modern management. Combined, although some companies have introduced CTP equipment, due to inadequate management, utilization is not high, resulting in idle equipment and waste of resources.

Four "faces": Comprehensive understanding and public bidding

Prior to the introduction of CTP equipment, enterprises should fully understand the potential acceptance of CTP by existing or potential customers, in addition to considering their investment capabilities, including the quality requirements of customers, and whether the advantages of CTP technology can be recognized by users.

In addition, there are many types of CTP devices, and the thermal and photosensitivity all lead the way. CTP equipment suppliers are very competitive. Before the introduction, companies are advised to conduct meticulous and thorough investigations and open tenders to ensure maximum investment efficiency.

Use revenue "spot" all pass

The bold explorations of the pioneers provided late adopters with a wealth of experience. Understanding the experience gained by the pioneers bit by bit will surely help the latecomers.

A "point": quality benefits

The CTP technology eliminates the processes of film making, printing, imposition, and development in the traditional plate making methods, reduces errors in human operations, and improves the quality and productivity of printed products.

The general manager of coal mining company Zhang Bingxun once talked about the CTP system can minimize the variable factors in the platemaking process, so that the quality of the printing plate can be best controlled, and promote the enterprise to the digital and network era. Beijing Yachang Color Printing Co., Ltd. Dainippon Screen PTR-8600 CTP equipment was introduced. The plant manager Song Qiang talked about the use of CTP equipment to shorten the prepress process, reduce the original three processes, and cancel the film's solarization. The direct printing of outlets enables tight integration between prepress and printing, improving production efficiency.

Two "points": time effectiveness

Using CTP equipment, the production cycle was shortened, manpower resources were saved, and the production efficiency was significantly improved. Xi'an Coal & Airway Company Peng Guihui gave a comparison of the plate making time before and after the company used the CTP (using a set of four-color editions as a benchmark).

The time efficiency is even more pronounced in the newspaper industry. The Yangcheng Evening News Printing Center has at least 1024 open screens per day, up to a maximum of 2048, and can be completed in 90 minutes using 4 direct platemaking machines. Within a few hours, 9 million pairs of newspaper printing services can be completed.

Three "points": Strength Benefits

The use of CTP equipment has enabled the printing companies to integrate closely with the international networked and digitized printing industry and enhanced their comprehensive competitiveness.

After Hangzhou Yingtian Company used Creo's Quansheng direct plate making equipment, a considerable number of users accepted and approved the CTP plate making method. Sun Yunxiang, general manager of the company, believes that digital-based, network-based e-commerce printing model will become an inevitable trend in the future development of the printing industry, while the CTP system brings quality, timeliness, service, management model and business development and other traditional methods are very large After using CTP, enterprises can not only meet the international development trend, but also can open up the gap with domestic competitors and promote the company to move toward a new level.

Costing "strips" are clear

The advantages of CTP equipment have gradually been recognized by everyone. However, due to the high prices of equipment and media, companies must still perform strict and careful investment calculations before this, and now the most clear account Mo into the public printing plants. Overly direct product prices and plate prices can be referred to as "hard accounts," and there are many "soft accounts" that cannot clearly list prices.

One "Article": Comparing "Hard Accounts"

Or take the list of "hard accounts" provided by Peng Guihui of Xi'an Coal & Gas Company as an example (based on a set of folio four-color editions), see Table 2 on the next page.

This table only illustrates some of the issues, and it roughly reflects the changes in plate prices after using CTP equipment. In actual use, due to the use of consumables prices, machine depreciation, labor costs, etc., so that the cost of each price is not the same.

Two "Articles": Calculate "Soft Account"

"Hard accounts" are counted, and "soft accounts" are clearer. This is the only way to clearly calculate the investment income of CTP equipment.

First, the use of CTP equipment in conjunction with traditional printing presses can increase press usage. In the printing of newspapers, the lags in the process of plate making have affected the exertion of the production capacity of high-speed printing presses, which is not conducive to satisfying readers' needs for reading newspaper news quickly. The introduction of CTP equipment will help enhance the timeliness of news. Take the Shanghai Wenhui Xinmin Newspaper Group's 7 production lines, the Print and Evening News, as an example. If Wei Wei ends the 12:20 edition of the previous edition, the traditional platemaking method will be used for printing after 40 minutes, and then a machine will be opened every 5 minutes; The method can be opened 20 minutes in advance, after which a machine is opened every 10 minutes and turned off at 15 o'clock. From this, it can be calculated that investing two CTP platesetters can use one printing machine less and achieve the same effect as larger investments with less investment.

Second, if only the price of plate material or CTP equipment is compared with traditional equipment, the rise in cost is no doubt. However, for some newspaper groups establishing a new printing center, the reduction of the space and personnel brought by the use of CTP equipment has reduced the indirect economic costs.

Third, after using CTP, some of the economic benefits brought about by process innovation can be reflected in the business and overall profitability of the company, while others are reflected in the long-term development of the company. After Shenzhen Fengyao High-tech Co., Ltd. purchases CTP equipment, it is adopted. The CTP printing business has accounted for about 50%, and it is on the rise. The use of CTP equipment has brought a data-based management model, which has gone beyond the regional restrictions of business operations and has brought the distance between the company and its customers closer. , Increased the cooperation between the company and its customers, so as to achieve a win-win and win-win modern business mode of establishing long-term cooperation with customers.

Fourth, the indirect benefits brought by CTP equipment cannot be measured. For newspaper groups, the introduction of CTP increases the timeliness of news performance to attract a large number of readers and increase the circulation of newspapers. The resulting advertising revenue is enormous.

Connoisseurs recommend "Great Road"

A "Tao": Guiding the Way for a Newspaper Printing House

The newspaper consultant Xia Jun particularly emphasized the direction of the introduction of CTP in the domestic newspaper industry in the next few years. He pointed out the following points in light of the situation and many years of experience in the use of CTP by newspapers in China in recent years.

1. Evening newspapers printed at noon have a large amount of print, tight time, and strong timeliness. Using CTP can save time for the printing factory, increase the amount of news on the day, and expand readership. Therefore, printing houses printing Evening News should use CTP equipment as much as possible.

2. The press group that is preparing or preparing to establish the Printing Center should be in place at the initial stage of its establishment and use the CTP equipment directly to digitize the prepress system so as to achieve the goal of saving staff, space and improving the overall competitiveness of the company.

3. The newspaper printing factory with large business volume can introduce CTP equipment to further digest the business, broaden the business scope, ease the pressure brought by a large number of printing businesses, and at the same time improve the modern management level of the company.

4, for the rapid development of local newspapers, etc., color newspaper printing volume, you can introduce CTP equipment, such as already using the CTP equipment Quanzhou Evening News, Foshan Daily.

5. Other newspaper printers must consider gradually using CTP equipment under their own conditions, and should not follow blindly.

Second "Tao": Weapons for Commercial Printing Factory

Peng Guihui of Xi'an Coal Aviation Company mentioned that as a manufacturer of the CTP system, it should have the following characteristics: it has a certain printing scale, has a strong post-press processing capacity; has a digital quality control system and a complete quality management system, etc.; On the other hand, it mainly focuses on fast, high-quality, short-run print jobs.

Three "Tao": Buy Guide

CTP plates are different from ordinary plate materials, and have a storage period of only 1 year. Currently, domestic use of imported plates is mainly used. While foreign plates are imported from abroad, it usually takes 3 months, plus other delays. Only half a year's time can go to the factory to use, there are special remind users in the purchase process should be ordered according to the actual consumption of CTP plate material, do not cause backlog of plate material wasted.

Four "Tao": Calmly Thinking, Graceful

Experts reminded that before purchasing a CTP device, it is important to think calmly and demonstrate it in multiple ways. In addition, the preparation work must be done before deciding to purchase a CTP device.