Heidelbergs stand at Northprint the largest at the exhibition was majoring on the small-format sector. Equipment on show included a first UK showing for the Quicksetter 46 polyester platesetter and Digiplate, a new, matt-backed polyester plate developed by Mitsubishi.


Heidelberg, whose consumables division has been allowed to start selling the plate ahead of other distributors, believes the matt-backed Digiplate represents "a big advance in polyester stability," according to head of small-format solutions Richard Bradley: "Shiny-backed polyester plates tend to slide on the cylinder and it affects the print quality. Matt-backed provides much better stability."


The Quicksetter, a 46cm machine, is designed to be sold as a bundle with Heidelbergs smaller-format presses: the entire platesetter and processor package, including punching (done inline) takes up just 1m x 1.5m of floorspace. It was designed by ex-Linotype subsidiary Ultre and will be manufactured in the Kiel factory.


The Heidelberg stand was also showcasing larger-format platesetting equipment including the Primesetter and Topsetter and Prinnect, Heidelbergs CIP3 workflow system which Bradley said was "now in the stages of moving towards CIP4 to include functions like estimating and stock control."


Story by Karen Charlesworth