In this page we discussed types of mounters, but we understand that our customer base is diverse, with varying needs and challenges. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, which is why we want to highlight key factors to help you find the perfect fit for your printing requirements.
While it’s no secret that budget is often the primary consideration when investing in pre-press equipment or machinery, there are other important factors that also warrant consideration:
- Job changes: How many job changes occur each day or shift?
- Size of plate to be mounted:Mounting wider plates or larger repeats is much more complex.
- Type of work:What types of jobs are you printing?
- Workforce skills:How skilled is your team?
- Compatibility: How well does it integrate with your existing flexo presses and available space?
Those responsible for plate mounting in prepress need extensive training. Errors in this stage -such as plates mounted at an angle, plate distortion, inconsistent mounting zero points, air bubbles beneath the plates, or using incorrect printing plates for the job - can lead to significant issues. Printers may try to compensate for these errors during register adjustments, which only results in longer setup times, increased waste, and diminished print quality. The full potential of a high-quality printing press goes untapped and is restricted. So, how do you decide between manual and automated plate mounters?
Manual Plate Mounting Systems
- Advantages: lower initial investment.
- Disadvantages: precision is highly dependent on the operator, leading to fluctuating results. This can cause lengthy setup times and unpredictable waste.
- Best for: print shops with straightforward jobs (2C) and low job change frequency (fewer than three changes per day).
Automated Plate Mounting Systems
- Advantages: consistent precision, independence from operator skill, and reliable register accuracy.
- Disadvantages: higher initial investment.
- Best for: print shops with high-quality standards, advanced press equipment, innovative practices, and frequent job changes or short runs.
With the above considerations in mind, there are plenty of reasons to explore the integration of the right plate mounter into your printing workflow. For more information or if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us now!