Clicherlux finds both print and business success with Esko Full HD Flexo

By implementing Esko Full HD Flexo with the ability to create a variety of dots on a plate, Clicherlux, a top tradeshop in Latin America, is developing flexo plates for packaging with increased highlight and shadow details that has extended gamuts, reduced ink units and ink use, offered faster makereadies and, most important, attracted new business to its doors. Its exceptional work has also earned the company Esko HD Flexo certification.

Clicherlux, based in Valinhos, 70 km from São Paulo, with a second facility in Rio Verde, was founded in 1975. It is one of the largest tradeshops, offering the most services in Latin America. With more than 120 employees, it produces plates and cutting dies covering solutions for all facets for packaging, including corrugated, flexible packaging, letterpress and graphics. Clicherlux pioneered the manufacture of cutting dies for rotary cutting and creasing, and now has the latest technology in all markets in which it operates.

Customers are in good hands with Clicherlux, working with the finest technologies in each segment that they operate, with exceptional quality control. And, to meet customer demand, Clicherlux operates 24 hours a day, along with on-call service during holidays for emergencies. With this, Clicherlux customers, the largest and most important in Brazil, are confident in the Clicherlux brand.

Looking for enhanced quality with HD Flexo

"We have always worked with Esko, and owned a CDI Spark 4835 digital flexo imager," says Luciano Trombeta, Gerente Técnico. "However, we had heard that flat top dots offered better imaging, particularly in the shadows. So, we conducted a lot of research into what would be the best way to achieve better solids. We were looking for enhanced quality with better dots, greater density, and improved contrast between highlights and shadows."

After thorough research, Clicherlux decided that it would be best to purchase another Esko CDI - a CDI Spark 4260 - with HD Flexo along with the combination of Inline UV2 and dedicated screening. "The combination, called Esko Full HD Flexo, makes our customers' printing even better," notes Trombeta.

Inline UV2 offers inline digital main exposure in the same device. With smart automation for loading and unloading the plate, the CDI becomes a true "plate factory" with unattended operation and less manual intervention, leading to increased productivity. Esko can control the shape of different microcells in the top of flat top dots on one single plate. In doing so, the combination of smooth highlight printing and gravure-like solid ink laydown can be achieved. The result is a superior flexo plate that is delivering unique print quality in highlights, midtones, shadows and solids of a print job.

Full HD Flexo allows each of Esko's flexographic plate supplier partners to individually characterize parameters to attain the best results on their plates. Full HD Flexo includes plate specific screening to further enhance the solid ink density above today's flat top dot standard. The Full HD Flexo high frequency Microcell screens are adapted to perform at their best for each plate supplier workflow.

It was easy to install the system. At first Clicherlux tested Full HD Flexo to determine how to get the best results on their plates. In only a month, they were using it in production.