Printing plates

Stephens & George Print Group, one of the biggest users of printing plates in the UK, has extended its relationship with ECO3 with a fresh contract for the supply of chemistry-free plates.

Kodak boss Jim Continenza has described the recent decision to impose hefty tariffs on some printing plates imported into the US as “an important win” for the business.

ECO3 has ended its long-standing plate supply agreement with Heidelberg UK.

Authorities in the US have responded to Kodak’s call for tariffs to be levied on certain imported printing plates, with a preliminary decision to impose hefty duties on plates from Japan and China.

Fujifilm has launched a legal action against Kodak, and claims that its Sonora processless plates infringe Fujifilm’s patents.

Kodak is set to raise the price of its offset printing plates by up to 9% after the escalating cost of aluminium became "too great to bear".

Asahi Photoproducts is launching two new flexo plate products at Drupa, which will, the company said, improve both print quality and efficiency.

Esko is to launch two new additions to its Kongsberg cutting table range at Drupa alongside a new flexo platemaking system and a software update.

Agfa is launching a new stacker for its 2.5m-wide flatbed Jeti Tauro at Drupa.

Stephens & George (S&G) has signed a five-year contract with Agfa to use its Azura TU chemistry-free plates.