This document discusses LUX, a new plate making process from MacDermid Printing Solutions that produces flat top dots to improve print quality. LUX improves print quality by reducing mechanical dot gain and increasing line screens without other changes. It also improves print consistency and reduces operating costs. LUX produces sharper dots with better edge definition compared to standard digital plates. It has been adopted by over 150 printers worldwide and evaluations show it enables higher quality printing with improved highlights and smaller dots. LUX enhances microcell screening and improves consistency over long print runs.
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What is LUX?
LUX is a plate making process that produces flat top dots from a
conventional digital flexo plate
• Improves Print Quality
• Reduces mechanical dot gain
• Increase in line screen with no other
changes
• Improves Print Consistency
• Dot gain is more consistent on long runs
• Less sensitive to impression levels
• Reduces Operating Costs
• Faster start up
• Runs clean/ fewer start & stops
• Expands flexo capability to run against
gravure and offset (short runs option)
Printer / Print Buyer
• Versatile
• Small, mobile laminator footprint
• Works with solvent or thermal processing
• Leaves all options open, user can choose
whether to image with standard digital or
LUX digital process
• Consistent
• 1:1 Imaging from mask to plate
• Consistent plate height within image
• Reduce or eliminate effects of elevation,
humidity, barometric pressure
• Value
• Preserves existing investments in digital
workflow and imaging
Plate Maker
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LUX: It is that simple
Existing process LUX process
Ablate
Plate
Digital
Plate
Expose
Process
Plate
Standard
Digital
Plate
Mem
brane
Remove
Membrane
LUX
Lamination
6. Optimizing Dot Profile
• Lots of dots work. Some dots work better.
– These factors seem to matter most
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Dot Surface
Morphology Shoulder AngleValley DepthEdge definition Dot Surface
7. Standard Digital vs LUX Digital
• Edge definition is far greater for LUX digital
• Surface roughness is little changed
Standard digital exposure LUX digital exposure
14. LUX & HD Flexo/MicroCell
Standard digital
SID = 1.21
Mottle = 17.8
LUX / MC16P
SID = 1.35
Mottle = 4.2
15. MC12P vs MC12P-LUX 100
• Edge definition is much sharper with LUX
• MicroCell pattern is much sharper with LUX
Standard digital exposure LUX digital exposure
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Consistency: Impression Latitude
LUX enables flexo
printers to print with
greater consistency
Dot gain is less sensitive to
impression
-Fewer stops for adjustment
-Longer runs
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Digital MVP Digital MVP + 6mil (150 um)
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Digital MVP + LUX Digital MVP + LUX + 6mil (150 um)
Standard
Digital
Standard
Digital +
LUX
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Digital MVP Digital MVP + 6mil (150 um)
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LUX reduces
dot gain
from impression
30 - 60%
Improvement
19. Consistency: Effects of Wear
• Improves Print Consistency
– Dot gain was more consistent during this long run
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Some evidence of wear in the plate…….. But not in the print
Example
Digital MAX (high hardness)
0.107 in plates (2.72mm)
890k linear foot (271k meters)
Press: W&H Novaflex
Anilox: 900 LS / 2.2 bcm
Ink: Solvent
Substrate: Film
20. Versatility - Platemaking
• It works on all MacDermid digital plates
– Works with plates up to 50” x 80” size
– Works with plates from 0.045” to 0.250” thickness
• It adds <5 minutes to a normal digital workflow
• Backwards-compatible
– Use LUX when needed, use standard digital workflow for
legacy jobs
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29. Our Proposition
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Solvent
Thermal
Digital Dot TypeProcessing
Technology
We offer you more choices.
We are the Global Leader in
Flat Top Dot Solutions.
We have the expertise to help
you make the most of the options
you select.
