Massilly North America based in Brantford, Ontario, has installed Esko’s software suite to drive a new computer-to-plate system focused on print-packaging work in the food and beverage industries.
Massilly North America, a subsidiary of The Massilly Group, a France-based supplier of closures, food cans, decorative tins, and aerosol cans through 20 subsidiaries located around the world, is focused on metal twist closures and sealing machines for the sector. Last May, the Brantford operation installed Esko’s DeskPack, Plato, FlexRIP, and FlexProof products to drive the then newly installed CTP system, based the company’s decision to bring platemaking in-house.
“For starters, we wanted a one-click step & repeat operation, from a one-up image to a full sheet layout, integrated with print production controls, such as color bars and trim marks,” stated Julius Stampacchia, Quality Assurance Manager, Massilly North America. “We did not want to manually manipulate files of all artwork sizes to make a plate. We wanted something that was quick, consistent and repeatable.”
Stampacchia explains the operation wanted a workflow that integrated with Adobe Illustrator and supporting plug-ins. Adobe Illustrator at Massilly is used for design and trapping, driven by Esko DeskPack PowerTrapper for Illustrator. He continues to explain Esko’s Automation Engine is then used to take the file and drive the rest of the process. Plato automatically conducts the step & repeat functions, providing optimized sheet layouts. FlexProof provides contract proofs. Device independent FlexRip delivers flexibility and quality control tools to ensure plate consistency and accuracy during RIPping, sending the final file to the platesetter.
“[With Automation Engine] we are able send email messages to the customer, or larger supply chain groups,” explains Stampacchia, “to approve the artwork with a link to the files – saving the file to a folder to wait for reviews… We are also able to check the diameter of one-up images, check colour accuracy, make sure filenames match up, and that all corrections have been applied.”
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