Two years ago, MD/CEO of El-Kran Imaging Systems Limited – Prince Kelly Aremu predicted the explosion of CTP usage in Nigeria. His prediction has not only come to pass, we gathered that industry innovation has also overtaken CTP usage as Computer to Conventional Plate (CTcP) is now the product of choice for discerning print investors. In this SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT INTERVIEW, WHERE To Print caught up with Prince Aremu on what makes CTcP tick and what print investors should look out for when deciding on which CTcP to buy. Check this out from the excerpt below:
SIR, WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF CTcP OVER CTP?
From the technical point of view, CTcP uses ultra violet technology to image on the plate through an external drum technology, unlike the thermal and violet technology that we have been used to. Because of this technology, the ability to image onto what is now referred to as conventional plate, which in actual fact is an ultra violet plate (UV Plate) and cheaper than the two technologies I mentioned earlier has brought down the cost of prepress drastically. Therefore the cost of production on UV-CTP also known as CTcP has reduced the cost of print production. UV-CTP has actually been with us before now. It was BasysPrint in Europe that actually first introduced it into the print industry some years ago, but could not actually get it off ground until the Chinese got hold of the technology and repackaged it to what it is now.
UV-CTP is the cheapest form of making plates for print companies that produces high number of plate. For instance – in book production, newspaper printing and other types of high volume print – because it drives down the cost of production in the long run. Other economic advantages are; ease of use by an operator and low cost of maintenance and consumables. UV-CTP has become the best choice any day for the kind of printing houses I have mentioned. And also because the CTcP uses a combination of diodes to image, quality is very much assured. This is considering other variables such as developing temperature, speed etc are perfect.
IN TERMS OF ACCESSIBILITY, HOPE THIS NEW TECHNOLOGY IS NOT TOO EXPENSIVE?
Right now, because it’s a new technology the cost is still very high when compared to the CTP that we have known but at the end, it is still more cost effective, but much more economical for high volume plate users to get a good return on investment on time. The cost we are talking about here is very relative, that is why we always advice our clients to sit down with us and discuss on their need in relation to their kind of press, when deciding a configuration of CTcP they actually need. For instance, we will tell our customers that pricing for any digital imaging systems involve lots of technicalities. For example; a 64 diode equipment will be more expensive than the equipment that uses 36 diodes. Sizes such as; very large format (VLF), A1 plate size or A2 plate size also has impact on the prices. At El-Kran, we consider affordability, when configuring equipments for our customers. We are known to be customer friendly, even as we offer the best.
WILL THE INFLUX OF CTcP NOT POSE A THREAT TO CTP?
It is a matter of freedom of choice here at El-Kran. CTcP is not a threat to CTP as CTP was not a threat to CTF when it was newly launched into the industry. We have always advised our buyers not to be techno crazy, it all bothers down to what a client actually want and can afford. I don’t see CTcP as a threat. For instance in advanced markets such as the United States of America, when the CTP was first launched into the market in the 90s, a lot of people jettisoned their Computer To Film (CTF) for the CTP and after some years, a lot of people that bought the CTP still have to fall back on CTF for their production. You’ll be surprised to know that CTFs are still being sold in these markets.
CAN YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT THE CRON UV-CTP YOU DISTRIBUTE?
The Cron CTcP we have discovered to be the most reliable UV-CTP in the world, championed by Cron system in China. Just like we discovered ECRM and made it the choice for prepress service providers in Nigeria in the 90s. Today, over 70% of new UV-CTPs installed around the world are Cron UV-CTPs. Cron system has been very reliable and the beautiful thing about it is that, support comes handy. Cron has attached a lot of importance to this and has already, through their principal dealer for Africa; HunterPenrose UK Limited, trained local engineers for the African market, which includes my very self and other El-Kran engineers in preparation for its expected huge debut in the African market and this includes Nigeria. This has already started happening here in Nigeria and Ethiopia and with HunterPenrose UK, we have installed the Cron CTcP at Daily Trust, Kano and Abuja Presses and Ave-Maria plate Solutions, Bertie John, in Shomolu, to cater for the commercial presses. We have more coming to other presses I would not want to mention here for now. The Cron UV-CTP is capable of imaging 300dpi in resolution and in the market as of today, is the only UV system that has online capability. The equipment has been found to be most users friendly and supports itself.
YOU ARE KNOWN FOR A PARTICULAR BRAND OF CTP, WHY CTCP?
Like I said earlier on, at El-Kran, we believe in freedom of choice, so if there is anything new we take it as a responsibility to let the market know about it and we also study this new technology. As a dealer, we give the market options, which is why we usually advise buyers to consult very well before making choices. The advice that will be offered during the consultation will help you to compare and contrast before deciding on the equipment to buy, not by going only to the internet. The internet is a good starting point, but no organization will write anything bad about her equipment. Everyone wants to sell what they have manufactured. At El-Kran, we have experts that offer advice on the kind of equipment suitable for our environment.
DON’T YOU THINK THE CRON CTcP WILL AFFECT THE DEMAND FOR THE CTP BRAND YOU ARE KNOWN FOR?
It will definitely not! It depends on the choice of the clients but because of cost and the fact that printers are usually looking for cheapest means of sustaining their presses, which might make them consider the UV-CTP. However, don’t forget that cost is also a barrier. However, El-Kran will not sell any equipment that will not give you the quality that is worth your investment on such equipment. The good news is that Cron have bought into ECRM in North America, so Cron and ECRM are now the same, so we are still in the same boat. What this means for our clients is continued experience and more dynamic and intensifying production in the years to come. ECRM is known for ruggedness and Cron is the leader in UV CTP market and we have been trained by both companies.
HOW’S THE RESPONSE FROM YOUR CLIENTS SO FAR?
The response has been very good; a lot of buyers are talking to us, especially the newspapers, because of the ruggedness and stability of our equipment. This is what the Nigerian print market has been clamoring for. The quality of print from Daily Trust, Ave-Maria (Bertie John) and others is an attestation of the kind of quality equipments at the stable of El-Kran with the backing of our partners both in Europe and the USA.
BEING ONE OF THE PACESETTERS OF CTP MARKETING IN NIGERIA, NOW DISTRIBUTOR OF CTCP WHAT OTHER THINGS IN STORE FOR THE INDUSTRY?
For now, we are concentrating on introducing our UV-CTP while marketing our CTP as well.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME SIR
You’re welcome.
