Associated Mediabase is installing Agfa Polaris platesetters at its regional print sites in what could become the biggest single deal for newspaper CTP in the UK.


Initial sites to go CTP include Bristol and Stoke, which both have two machines. Plymouth is set to go CTP next month.
The firm has 13 regional print sites and is tipped to install at least two machines at each site.


The decision was based on 18 months of research by consultancy the Bedford Group and successful trials last summer at the Bristol Evening Post & Press.


Overall we are realising the success we had expected and our users are very pleased, said Associated Mediabase product business manager Dave Collette.


Associated Mediabases sister company, The Northcliffe Group, already has Agfa Polaris platesetters, including one at Bristol, which was installed in April 99, and one at Westcountry Design & Print in Exeter.


Weve had a long relationship with both groups and Im delighted, said Agfa UK director graphic systems Laurence Roberts. There is the potential for many more.


Agfa has nine Polaris machines in the UK including the worlds first Polaris 200 on trial at the Mirrors Oldham site. By the end of this month it expects the total number of machines installed to have reached 12.


As well as the move to CTP, Associated has switched to a composite PDF workflow for page transmission and proofing at its 13 contract print sites.


* Agfa has installed 20 Sherpa ink-jet proofing systems into UK newspaper printers.


By Barney Cox