UK labeling specialist Hibiscus Plc has taken delivery of a new Mark Andy Print Products (MAPP) VPM200 HD plate mounter, enabling the company to prepare flexo jobs more quickly and precisely.

The VPM – Video Plate Mounter – series is engineered to allow flexo printers to achieve accurate plate mounting in the fastest time. VPM200 uses dual HD cameras and an HD flat-screen monitor installed on an adjustable mounting table to ensure precise positioning of plates on printing cylinders. Cylinders of 178-686mm (7-27″) width are held securely by an air-powered mandrel during mounting, with a maximum 610mm (24″) repeat length. An integrated holder allows seamless application of mounting tapes.

As a manufacturer serving customers who place a priority on precision and quality, Hibiscus is already enjoying the benefits of upgrading from a more manual and time-consuming plate mounting process to the MA Print Products VPM200 HD. Plates/cylinders are being prepared for the three pieces of flexo printing equipment the company uses to manufacture labels and tags.

“Our clients operate in markets where the precision of their labels and labeling is not only demanded, but a necessity,” notes Jonathan Filin, head of operations at Hibiscus Plc. “We have established a reputation as experts in chemical and hazardous goods labels, alongside shipping labels, tamper-evident labels, waterproof product labels and more. Having established a strong presence, we must continue to invest to ensure we maintain this position in the market and go on delivering labels of the highest quality to our customers. The MA Print Products VPM200 HD allows us to do exactly that.”

Andy Clarke, MAPP European operations director, welcomed the installation of another of the company’s plate mounters in the market. He says, “These are critical pieces of equipment to ensuring the future success of flexo printers of all shape and size. Efficient and precise plate mounting means you can get jobs on-press quickly, improve output, and deliver the high-quality labels that customers trust you to deliver.

“Hibiscus is already experiencing this. Simple one-color work to increasingly complex multi-color jobs are being prepared with ease and in a fraction of the time,” Clarke adds. “We thank Jonathan and the team at Hibiscus for their continued partnership and trust in our products.”