Athena Graphics invests in Esko XPS Crystal
Athena Graphics, one of Europe’s leading prepress specialists, has enhanced its platemaking production quality and expanded its capacity with an XPS Crystal 5080 from Esko.
The international family-owned business was founded in 1991. It operates out of its Belgium headquarters and runs two production facilities in France and the Netherlands. It currently has close to 100 employees.
Ignace Cosaert, Managing Director at Athena Graphics, comments: “What makes Athena Graphics stand out from the competition is that we work together with Esko on improving automation and optimization. With our investment in the XPS Crystal, we now have more capacity on our three CDIs, and we produce plates at higher quality standards because we can give front and back exposure simultaneously.”
With the innovative XPS Crystal, the plates are placed onto the glass surface where very accurate back and main exposures – done by patented LED UV light technology that allows very precise control – are conducted simultaneously. Unlike UV frames using lightbulbs with fluctuating output, XPS Crystal uses UV LEDs that don’t need to warm-up and emit consistent radiation.
The consistent light source and nearly concurrent back and main exposure deliver unmatched relief and image consistency, combined with perfectly formed flat-top dots. As a result, the plates deliver the highest level of consistency, guaranteeing a quality that could not be offered to customers in the past.
Athena Graphics has integrated many Esko solutions. Cosaert states: “We work almost exclusively with Esko solutions. We have 25 ArtPro licenses, Deskpack, several Automation Engines, and of course we use WebCenter. This year, we also invested in Equinox so that we can now offer multicolour to our customers.”
He adds: “We have worked with Esko for 27 years. Together with Esko we will continue to raise the bar higher every day. It is a real partnership.”
About Esko
Esko, a Danaher company, is a global provider of integrated software and hardware solutions that digitize, automate and connect the go-to-market process of consumer goods. Esko connects people, processes and tools to meet the needs of global brands and the people who trust them.
Esko customers bring consumer products to life with accuracy, efficiency and speed. Packaging for 9 out of 10 major brands is produced by Esko customers today.
Headquartered in Gent, Belgium, Esko employs 1800 people worldwide with a unique focus on the packaging sector.
To find out more, please visit www.esko.com
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