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| Sanshodo Printing Company |
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| DIAMOND 4000TP |
Sanshodo Printing Company in Tokyo, Japan, recently announced that they have begun waterless printing operations on their DIAMOND 4000TP Tandem Perfector. The 8-color 44-inch TP press was delivered to Sanshodo's Itabashi
Plant in February of this year.
Waterless printing was first put into practical operations back in the late 1970's. Since the waterless process requires no dampening solution, the operation proved to be very effective in stabilizing print quality, reducing the workload of the press operator, and protecting the natural environmental. The special printing plates used in the waterless process were also known for eliminating dot gain and for improving color consistency and ink film density. Despite these advantages, the cost of the special plates and specialized inks hampered the popularization of waterless printing. With the recent interest in environmental issues, however, the waterless process has gained renewed attention as an environmentfriendly printing process.
Today, the number of printing companies that are adopting the waterless process continues to grow, and this trend appears to be much more prevalent within advanced printing markets. In Japan, for example, waterless printing technology has already been implemented in about 1,000 printing companies.
Commercial waterless printing with a Mitsubishi convertible perfector press in Japan was first implemented on a DIAMOND 1000R 8-color press delivered to Bunshodo Printing Corporation in December 2002. The Sanshodo installation, however, marks the first time that the waterless process has been applied to a Tandem Perfector press, and this operation is attracting considerable attention.
Sanshodo President Yabe summarized the purpose and current results of the TP and waterless printing combination:
"Currently, printing companies are struggling for survival in this highly competitive market. Given these conditions, our goal was to establish a business environment supported by powerful printing machinery and press equipment that would allow
us to earn profits as well as respond to the new age.
"Sanshodo operates a sheet-fed printing plant and a web printing plant. To better meet today's diversified market needs, we were looking for a production method that might offer both the flexibility of sheetfed
and the productivity of web. We found in the Tandem Perfector a press that achieves a production level infinitely close to what we wanted.
"With the relocation of our main office in January of this year and the installation of the Tandem Perfector, we thought this would be an excellent opportunity to implement waterless printing.
"In the three months following the startup of commercial runs, we have already started to realize steady achievements in printing quality, productivity, and environmental protection. We're also seeing favorable effects within the postpress
processes as well."
Mr. Watanabe, Itabashi Plant Manager, categorized specific achievements of the TP and waterless process as follows:
| 1) |
Improved color registration and front-to-back sheet registration
Because of the TP cylinder arrangement and elimination of dampening solution, the sheet does not become stretched and fan-out is not present. Registration remains accurate since there is no sheet reversing operation. |
| 2) |
Stabilized ink density
Over emulsification is not a problem since no dampening solution is involved and ink density remains stable throughout the print run. |
| 3) |
Reduced costs
Less sheet waste, elimination of chemicals (plate developer, IPA, dampening solution, etc.),
and no cost for wastewater treatment (washing solution, developer, etc.) |
| 4) |
Environmental consideration
Environmental improvements through reduction and/or elimination of the chemical mentioned above |
| 5) |
Improved productivity
With less ink piling on blankets, fewer blanket washes are needed. |
| 6) |
Improved print quality
Better ink tack with less dot gain results in cleaner, sharper images |
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