Basingstoke Press has spent 200,000 on an Agfa Galileo VS four-up CTP system, a Sherpa 43 colour digital proofer and Apogee workflow.


The Galileo, which has been installed for two weeks, is imaging Agfa LithoStar Ultra V plates for the firm's two- and five-colour Heidelberg MOs as well as its single- and two-colour GTO presses.


Sales and commercial director Tony Gardiner said: "We can produce violet, visible light plates faster, cleaner and with less hassle. Makeready on press is also much quicker with less ink required and a better ink/water balance."


The company also has an arsenal of digital printing presses including nine Xerox DocuTech 135s, three Xerox DocuTech 3180s, an IBM InfoColor 70 and an IBM InfoPrint 4000 digital web press.


Around 65% of the company's production is through a combination of sheetfed offset and digital processes.


"Violet for us is a proven technology. It's faster and more competitive in terms of costs. Almost 100% of our plate production is now through the Galileo," said Gardiner.


He said Basingstoke Press opted for the Agfa kit after evaluating the major manufacturers in the field.


"It cements our relationship with Agfa, which has always been satisfactory."


Story by John Davies