Cheshire, UK-based flexographic reprographic studio and plate maker, Red032, has recently installed a Dantex DigiWash 4835 for producing Dantex DNVO Varnica digital plates. The move will enable Red032 to identify growth markets and further develop their business, as well as providing a more sustainable workflow solution. The installation of the system took place in August.

With over 20 years of experience in the packaging industry, Red032 has established itself as a respected reprographic studio and plate maker within the corrugated and flexible packaging markets. With the installation, they are the only company in the UK to use water wash digital varnish plate technology. And with varnish applications increasingly adding a new dimension to packaging, along with growing customer demand, the company says the system is the perfect answer to fast plate making, incorporating enhanced environmental benefits and producing plates with flat top dots and superior ink release compared to other standard plate technologies.

The dual tank, easy to maintain, environmentally friendly DigiWash 4835, has a simple to use operator interface and offers significantly enhanced plate making speed. Following main exposure, the raw plates are fastened onto a permanent sticky plate with automatic opening. The plate carriage moves both backwards and forwards through the wash with adjustable automatic brush heights to accommodate different plate thicknesses. On completion, the plate can be transferred to the multi-function cabinet under the wash tank for post exposure and detack. For system efficiency the tank levels, water temperatures and dryer temperatures can all be monitored.    

“The water wash technology dovetails well into our existing portfolio, and as we are the only reprographics company who can produce varnish plates using digital technology, it will help open up new market opportunities,” says managing director Nigel Tunstall. “As a privately owned enterprise, our strategy is always evolving and we are becoming more established all the time. Our partnerships are complimentary and its great to work with Dantex, who, with their solid reputation in the industry, are easy to deal with and provides great support. The DigiWash also helps establish our environmental credentials, as we, and our industry recognise our responsibilities.”

Dantex Group’s CEO Ben Danon adds, “We are delighted that Red032 has selected the DigiWash 4835. With the digital varnish plate technology, their customers will benefit from quicker, more accurate and detailed results. And as Digiwash and water technology is a new product for them, it will provide a more environmentally friendly solution, which in turn will help further raise their profile.”