Product Watch: Esko’s flexo prepress and platemaking solution

The Esko CDI crystal aims to create plates that result in high-quality output and press stability for flexo print applications. It uses laser imaging technology, which aids in delivering more precise output. 

The Esko CDI crystal supports Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, PDF, TIFF, JPEG and PNG.  The product has been engineered specifically to cater to packaging-related print processes and substrates and can also handle variable data printing requirements. 

It includes AI step and repeat programmes for labels and packaging and is compatible with several digital printing workflows. It partners with companies such as HP for colour management of Indigo presses. 

The platemaking process integrates with the prepress software via metadata, which is read by the CDI. An IoT solution uploads data to a cloud-based S2 platform, which logs plate usage and performance over time.

Plate consistency and repeatability are ensured via the dot fail test. 

The SW workflow platform enables a large degree of automation. The Esko CDI solution can be integrated with existing MIS and ERP systems via its ‘connect’ module.

Colour consistency is managed via the company’s calibration process. Esko offers web-based, classroom and onsite training depending on its customers’ requirements.