BlueEdge system

BlueEdge is an innovative system for the production of flexo clichés and comes from a proprietary algorithm that is applied to Kodak Flexcel NXC or NXH plates. BlueEdge clichés can be used by converters to obtain very high quality prints and to facilitate a standardization of their production process.

More quality

The BlueEdge plate is made up of a number of dots arranged according to an algorithm different from the usual screen angles. The lineature, therefore, is not present. However, we must not confuse the BlueEdge system with Kodak’s stochastic or “staccato” screen, as the dot arrangement is not random, but pre-determined according to a very precise and proprietary algorithm. This new surface treatment of the plate allows an increase in the images definition, a brilliance and a chromatic density unprecedented in flexo.

Standardization

We can consider BlueEdge as an improvement to the already advanced Flexcel NX system, which thanks to the surface digicap allows precise control of ink transport. What is different from a conventional NX plate? The real difference this system makes is in trapping. Thanks to an optimal dots arrangement it is possible to improve the colors overlapping by extending the reproducible gamut with the simple four-color process.

This has a very important advantage: all files created in CMYK can be reproduced in flexo without recurring to the use of spot colors or Pantone colors. Starting from this advantage many others are coming, including:

• Reduction of print colors for many jobs
• Ink saving
• Higher fidelity of prints with proofing
• Raising the quality standard comparing to Offset, Rotogravure and Digital printing
• Total absence of moiré

Conversion

BlueEdge is a system that evolves flexo print to levels never reached before. The great advantage for converters and brand owners is the possibility of converting into flexo jobs dedicated exclusively to other printing systems so far, as they are considered “more qualitative”, although often much less productive than flexo.

The result is a double advantage: technical and commercial. From a technical point of view, the BlueEdge system allows to faithfully reproduce a job printed with other systems than flexo, but keeping all the advantages of direct printing on the support in one pass. From a commercial point of view, the brand owners are now able to extend the choice towards a more cost-effective printing, without sacrificing the quality they were used to, while the converters are able to guarantee a faithful standard color (LAB) and consequently to conquer a slice of the market hitherto inaccessible to flexo.