Dellprint in Essex has eschewed CTP in favour of a Screen Tanto B1+ computer to film system citing its superior quality.


Sales director and co-owner Tony Baily said: When we were looking at CTP systems last year we couldnt find one that could output plates with the quality to match our Mitsubishi five-colour. CTP has come on further now, but we werent happy with its quality at the time.


Baily said the eight-employee company had reduced its pre-press costs by 10% since bringing production in-house.
We needed 350lpi at 4000dpi. We offer that resolution as a service for fine art printing weve just done a job for Bacardi. Its not for run-of-the-mill jobs, were aiming at the top-end."


The Tanto can output 16 B1 films per hour, has six resolution settings from 1200dpi to 4000dpi and has automatic internal register punching.


Dellprint systems operator Neil Tully said: Were operating with TrueFlow 100% everyday. Once you have done the number crunching, the Tanto goes like a rocket.


The 1.5m-turnover company is in discussions with Screen to upgrade its server to meet increased demand.


Story by John Davies