Joe Tuccitto, FTA, Mark Samworth, Esko and Shelley Rubin, FTA
Esko Equinox received the Flexographic Technical Association Technical Innovation Award in the category of Prepress-Graphics during the gala awards banquet at FTA’s Annual Forum.
Equinox is Esko´s solution for the implementation of extended gamut, or fixed inkset, printing.
‘Esko has always been committed to advancing the effectiveness of flexography and packaging graphics. Our development of Equinox was really an investment in flexography. It’s great to see the specific recognition this unique technology is receiving as recipient of the 2014 FTA Technical Innovation Award,’ commented Tony Wiley, president, Esko North America.
‘It’s also great to see the general recognition Equinox is receiving from a wide range of flexo industry professionals. Esko’s commitment to our customers is to add economic value throughout the value chain. From brand owners and design at the front end to press and finishing at the end, Esko is committed to linking that chain. Equinox is an excellent example of a technology that does just that.’
The Technical Innovation Award recognises companies and/or individuals whose visions and perseverance bring new products and technologies to the flexographic marketplace.
Equinox is applied in the prepress department when preparing jobs for press. Converting entire files results in extremely close matches to spot colours, improved pictorial images, and the ability to print more colours than available ink stations on the press, resulting in improved image quality and brand impact.
The major benefit, however, is realised in the pressroom as jobs print more economically and more consistently. The ability to create an infinite number of colours from seven process colours promotes ‘gang’ press runs – and the economic savings can surpass a million dollars per press per year.
The software also benefits from Esko HD and Full HD Flexo platemaking, which is able to extend the gamut by producing plates that can print dots from 0-100% while delivering consistent and reliable printing results from job to job.
Esko predicts that the amount of fixed inkset printing will likely surpass the volume of spot colour and CMYK + spot colour printing within the decade.
‘While we have been touting the economic and visual advantages of Esko Equinox for a few years now, it’s been in the past year or so that we’ve seen the accelerated growth we’ve long anticipated,’ remarked Mark Samworth, senior colour specialist. ‘It has to do with the proliferation of brand extensions resulting in shorter runs – as well as the continuing economic interest in reducing print and inventory costs. Brand owners are also beginning to realise that extended gamut printing can improve the visual impact of a package on a shelf. In short, Equinox improves the competitive position of flexography, both economically and visually.’
