Following a successful launch at Labelexpo Europe in September, Hamillroad Software Limited, a UK-based software company specializing in prepress solutions, and Apex International, a global anilox and metering solutions provider, have announced that they have commenced Phase One sales of Bellissima Digitally Modulated Screening (DMS).

Hamillroad Software’s marketing director Danielle Kinsella says, “In order to be successful, we have agreed on a phased roll-out of Bellissima DMS to the flexo market.

“Bellissima DMS underwent various pre-release tests, the outcome of which demonstrated that Bellissima DMS when used in conjunction with Apex GTT anilox, produces the best, most consistent results on press. The combination of Bellissima and GTT specifically benefits from no moiré, no anilox clashes and consistent inking that results in smooth flat tints, as well as no ink spitting on press. The further benefits of reduced bounce, reduced slur and a higher tolerance of mis-registration (which eliminates color shifts), provides an instant path to fixed palette and Extended Color Gamut (ECG) printing. Brand owners will therefore, for the first-time, benefit from true cross-market consistency in label and film packaging while also achieving the highest level of quality possible.

“Because of this, and the level of interest in the new screening technology, we have decided on a phased roll-out program,” she adds. “Phase One will include trade shops, converters and flexographic printers currently using Apex GTT anilox rolls and sleeves together with MacDermid Graphics Solutions’ LUX ITP 60 or DuPont’s EFX plates.”

“We saw unprecedented interest in Bellissima DMS at Labelexpo, so now need to ensure it is rolled out to printers and trade shops in a controlled manner,” says Nick Harvey, managing director of Aniken Graphics International. “Our decision to use Apex GTT aniloxes, and MacDermid or DuPont plates, is because we know this combination works ‘out of the box.’ We’re adopting a standard in Phase One that maximizes our success and the success of the trade shops and printers using it. With the pre-release trials completed, now printers can reap the benefits of the technology that will help them save money and deliver excellent results on press.

“Printers that have trialed this combination of new technologies for the first time have commented that this is the most innovative development in flexographic printing for the last 15 years and a true industry game changer,” Harvey adds.