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Heidelberg's frequency-modulated screening technology Satin Screening causes sensation at Thieme
Only recently has Heidelberg marketed Satin Screening, its optimized frequency-modulated (FM) screening. The print shop Thieme in Meißen has already started using the new technology and owner Ulrich Thieme has only one word to describe the first Satin print results: "Terrific!"
Ulrich Thieme has gained first-hand experience with FM screening since it was first marketed. Already in the 1990s, he has been using Heidelberg's first-generation technology Diamond Screening. The majority of his customers have meanwhile switched to FM. When Heidelberg announced the introduction of Satin Screening, a further development of FM screenign technology, Ulrich Thieme was immediatly willing to test it within the Prinect Printready MetaDimension workflow of his ongoing production runs.
Smooth vignettes, crisp pictures
The improvements Satin Screening brings are based on an entirely new microstructure of the screen: Individual dots merge to random patterns very early on. Bow shapes are produced which generate a harmonious smoothness in the midtones and sleek vignettes. The screen also provides an advantageous circumference-area ratio and high process and color stability. Ulrich Thieme confirms that "the print results are very good. I would not have thought that it would be so unproblematic and look so great right from the start. Really terrific!" Based on his previous experience, he adds: "Vignettes, technical screens and even halftone vignettes of images turn out considerably gentler and softer. The screens are smoother and less disturbing."
Important prerequisites: Process calibration and process control
When using FM screening, accurate process calibration and permanent process control are essential preconditions for obtaining premium-quality results. To achieve this, customers can rely on Print Color Management (PCM) which ensures the precise harmonization of all printing processes in prepress and press. A trained PCM team will implement the necessary adjustments at the customer's. The print shop Thieme also made use of this service.
Ready for printing in less time
"To install PCM, you need professional support. No print shop can do that offhand", Ulrich Thieme knows. In the forefront of the installation, he and his employees had already obtained information on PCM in Heidelberg. For Thieme, PCM brings a number of substantial advantages. "All in all, we can start printing considerably faster due to the standard values in the machine." Waste is also reduced by 25 percent, according to Thieme. "As the CIP3 data are incorporated and the PresetLink sets the controls, only minor color corrections are necessary to achieve the proof", says Thieme.
Combining FM screening and highly pigmented inks
After preliminary tests, the Thieme printers have decided on a combination of FM screening and highly pigmented inks. "Should the customer not wish a high-pigment coloring, we can also print with standard coloring", the owner explains. "However, if the customer wants, we can easily enhance the coloring without ink change. We are therefore able to process all jobs with one ink." The test results were so good that everyone - printers and customers - is thrilled. "The colors simply look more vigorous and brilliant, they are crisper, have richer details and an extended color area", Thieme enthuses. "We do not even have to open the pictures and save them again. We can accept data from customers in any format or data file. And without having to touch the data again, we can present a better result to the customer than with an ordinary screen."
Increased use planned
Thieme meanwhile employs Satin Screening for 35 percent of his print jobs - tendency rising. He is also pleased with the speed of the plate recorder. No matter whether 70 l/cm screen, 80 l/cm screen or Satin Screening, the Topsetter P 74 MCL retains a constant platesetting speed. For Thieme, the biggest advantage of Satin Screening is the color quality and the improved impression of the printed image. Thieme consludes: "The excellent printing result are not achieved by Satin Screening alone, but by its integration in an optimal process chain harmonized from prepress through to press."
Do you have further questions?
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen Vertrieb
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On the print shop Thieme
The print shop Thieme was founded by Bruno Thieme in 1903. Since 1986, Ulrich Thieme manages the business in the third generation. He has 25 employees and six trainees. 90 percent of his customers are agencies. Brochure printing amounts to 60 percent of jobs with fliers, calendars and books making up for the rest.
Integrated in the workflow are:
Heidelberg Prinect with Prinect Prinance, Production Database, Jetbase, Prinect Printready System, Prinect MetaDimension
Prepress components are:
Nexscan, Topsetter PF 102, Prinect Prepress Interface, Prinect Signa Station, Prinect Image Control, ColorOpen
In the printing hall installed are:
Speedmaster
- SM 74 ten-color Perfecto
- SM 52 five-color Perfecto with coating
Postpress components used are:
Compucut, Compufold, Compustitch, three Stitchmasters ST 400
In the two formats for the SM 74 and SM 52, up to 120 plates are produced each day, and the Topsetter PF 102 sets 2,000 plates a month.
Information about the Heidelberg products is available
 here
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