It gives us the ability to produce virtually continuous tone images, said operations director John Freeman. You just cannot see the screen with the naked eye. Our discerning client base will love it.

So far the Leigh-on-Sea firm has done extensive testing but it has yet to run a live job. It is looking for clients with designer-led projects to adopt the new technique.

According to Creo, other UK firms are also testing 10micron Staccato, but no one else has publicly committed to it.

To be able to produce the ultra fine dots it has part- exchanged one of its Creo Lotem platesetters for a Lotem Quantum. The Quantum uses Creos Squarespot imaging head, a pre-requisite for firms that wish to use 10micron Staccato.

Perivan White Dove managing director Mark Croucher poured scorn on claims from Creos rivals that 10micron was a marketing gimmick.

10micron is leaps and bounds ahead of 20micron, its superb, he said. There is definitely an opportunity.

Its far too easy to sit back and say it cant be done, but thats what holds the industry back.

He also countered claims, somewhat ironically given the firm is installing a 10-colour Speedmaster 102 from Heidelberg, that 10micron was difficult to hold on press.

Its about fine tuning repro, the press will be fine, he added.

Craig Williams has joined the firm as studio manager from NCS Integrated Solutions to oversee repro.

It has also appointed Julie Grills as account manager. Like Croucher and Freeman, she was previously at St Ives Westerham Press.

Story by Barney Cox