Balaji Scan and VRL opt for Kodak's Sonora plates

The Kodak Sonora is a versatile processless plate has a twin layer photopolymer type coating. It can be used for web as well as sheetfed presses with heatset or UV inks. There’s also a News version for coldset presses., Consumables

18 May 2016 | By Priya Raju

Balaji Scan, Hyderabad

Balaji Scan established its operation in 1995 as a pre-press bureau, with a Dainippon Drum Scanner 608II machines catering to all the printers and ad agencies in Hyderabad. We had reached a dead end of the road as far as processing is concerned we went for backward integration by adding Komori 426 offset press and later invested in a brand new Mitsubishi Diamond 1000LS4. Today, we have moved on from being a pre-press bureau to a full-fledged commercial printer.

THE VERDICT

When and why did you invest in the Kodak Sonora plates?

We were looking for a compact CTP kit since we were shifting our office to a smaller space. Kodak gave a demo about the Kodak CTP with Sonora plates and we were impressed with the quality of the product after which we went ahead with the technology. We started using Sonora plates in August 2015. Besides eco-friendliness, the turnaround per job is quick. Also, the water consumption is considerably reduced and inks dries faster.

Does the Kodak Sonora plate offer better value than conventional plates?

It is user-friendly. Usage of processor has been by-passed thereby eliminating the usage of chemicals, water. Sonora offers a better value in terms of saving electricity, manpower, chemicals and water. Plates go to the press faster and have helped remove the variability from processing.

What is your optimum plate usage?

We use around 200 plates per day and each plate has a run length between 80,000 to 1,00,000 lakh impressions. There have been times when we have exposed 500 plates per day.

How has the plates benefited you? Are there any value additions, savings in terms of wastages, turnaround time achieved with these plates?

Sonora plates has helped save space by eliminating processor and has reduced maintenance cost and downtime with less use of cleaner, and safer ambience. For us, Sonora plates are a step towards going green.

With the Sonora plates, there is a marked difference between the thermal plates (using processor) and violet plates. With mainstream productivity, quality, and run length capability, the only things you have to lose with Sonora XP plates is your processor and the chemistry associated with it.
Aluri Prasad, Balaji Scan

Parameters	Verdict (Ratings out of five)
Speed	★★★★
Quality	★★★★★
Reliability	★★★★
Value for money	★★★★★

VRL Media, Karnataka

VRL Media is a part of the VRL Group owned by Vijay Sankeshwar. VRL launched Vijayavani, a Kannada-language daily newspaper in 2011. Vijayavani now has numerous editions across state and has a circulation base of eight lakh copies. Currently, VRL Media has nine printing centres in Karnataka.

THE VERDICT

When and why did you invest in the Kodak Sonora plates?

We have always used Kodak’s pre-press. Initially, as a pilot project we started using the Kodak Sonora plates at two centres in July 2015. Slowly we are in the process of converting all our nine centres to these processless plates. We invested in these plates due to its environment friendliness along with being hassle free.

Does the Kodak Sonora plate offer better value than a conventional plate?

Unlike conventional violet plates, Sonora plates are easier to handle in terms of sensitivity towards light. Also, maintenance of the processor in a conventional machine becomes tedious and creates problems after 2-3 years of use. These plates completely eliminate these problems.

Have you seen any quality difference between Kodak Sonora and your previous product?

There is not much of a quality difference between the Sonora plates when compared to the conventional ones we were using.

How has the plates benefited you?

We have saved a lot in terms of power consumption, water, cost of the processor and thus the personnel cost required to operate and maintain them. In the long run, these plate has helped saved a lot of costs.

We process around 1000 plates in a day and Sonora plates have helped us save time while maintaining the quality too. Each plate easily provides a print run of 60,000 to 70,000 impressions per plate
Raju Hiremat, VRL Media