Kansal Graphics opts for KODAK CtP

Kansal Graphics opts for Kodak Trendsetter CtP

Among the available options, Kodak CtP wins hands down as the first choice to equip the new state-of-the-art unit at Derabassi near Chandigarh.

The feature-packed Kodak Trendsetter can plot CtP plates from Kodak as well as other suppliers, is extremely power effi cient, generates low heat, comes with proven Kodak quality and above all, is a perfect fi t for Kansal Graphics for its high per hour plate output.

Hitesh Kansal, the owner of Kansal Graphics started his own business in 1994 after a brief stint with Technova for about a year and a half where he says he learnt the tricks of the trade. Starting with supply of printing chemicals from Newstech (Mumbai) to local printers in the tricity of Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkula, Hitesh has travelled the spiralling road of success over the years. Along the way, he also dealt in supply of paper and other print related consumables too to the industry in the region with products from Technova as well as Huber.

With the digital transformation happening at a breathtaking pace, in 2004, Hitesh took the plunge into prepress after taking over a running prepress unit in Chandigarh. In 2010 he upgraded the capabilities with a Technova Violet CtP to cater to the newspaper industry in the region. The unit later chiefly supplied plates to commercial and packaging printing presses that specifically needed long run plates.

Before going in for the Violet CtP technology, Hitesh considered all the three options – Violet, Thermal and CtCP. He simply ruled out CtCP because the technology was in its nascent stage then. He rather wanted to opt for a tried and tested technology. He was already dealing with Technova in his consumables business, and it was quite an effortless decision to choose them as their equipment supplier as well. “The UV plates required no baking whatsoever to reach the long runs as compared to the thermal those days,” Hitesh recounts the reason for selecting the UV CtP. Of course he faced a few hiccups in the initial days of installation; convincing customers to try and accept the new technology was an added challenge too. But things gradually stabilised and ran smooth for coming 8 years.

In 2019, Hitesh felt the need of upgrading the CtP system whose production capabilities didn’t justify the demands of the market any more. The servicing was getting costlier as the machine aged. Considering all these factors, he decided to upgrade the equipment at his new setup at Derabassi near Chandigarh. The new state-of-the-art facility was set up at a location where a number of new printing units were being set up by old as well as new entrepreneurs. Now the hunt for a value for money yet sturdy system ended on the advanced CtP from Kodak. “CtCP was an available option but I was not very keen on investing in it especially because our existing customers were not much interested in these plates and hence the return on investment was at greater risk,” reasons Hitesh.

Hitesh also considered Amsky from Technova before finally zeroing on Kodak Trendsetter, which won hands down as the first choice. In his own words, “The Kodak machine comes with many qualities. We all know Kodak as an international name of repute for plates as well as CtP, and for chemicals and consumables alike. The Trendsetter runs on much lesser power than its competitors do. Moreover, the per hour plate output perfectly suits our demand.”

Mr. Natesh Puri, National Sales Manager - Packaging & Newspaper Segment at Eastman Kodak Company, who Hitesh built a nice rapport with during his Technova days, played a significant part in making up his mind for the Kodak machine.

“During my study before finalising on the CtP system, I found that the Kodak CtP setup utilised almost half the power requirements than its nearest competitor. The heat generated by the competitive machine (and the processor) could only be managed by putting two aircons. My present Kodak CtP runs cool with a single installed aircon in the CtP room. The price of plates didn’t make much difference. More than anything else, I found the Kodak system very robust which is especially of utmost importance to service providers like us. We can’t afford delay in deliveries due to machine problems which can mean loss of customer and business. Many CtP devices in the market can do good for in-house needs of a printer but for a service provider, there is no match for a Kodak,” declares Hitesh.

He emphasised upon the fact that the Kodak Trendsetter CtP they acquired is capable of plotting not only on Kodak plates but also on other CtP plates available in the market. “It is especially advantageous for a service provider to bank upon in case of an eventuality,” asserts Hitesh. Moreover he is also pleased with the fact that they are presently exploring possibilities of supplying process-less plates as an environment friendly aspect to his printer clientele. They have received a good response to this offering as of now. “It is our responsibility to look into the sustainability aspect as a gift to next generation if not anything else,” states Hitesh.

“KODAK SQUARESPOT Imaging Technology is Kodak’s award-winning thermal imaging technology, which allows printers to image plates with the highest level of accuracy, stability, and reliability, while automatically compensating for real-world problems like temperature variation, failing lasers and aging chemistry,” explains Natesh Puri. He further adds that plates made of Aluminum, like many materials, expands and shrinks when exposed to changing temperature. Plates, especially remakes, made at different times under typical shop conditions can end up being imaged at different sizes, which leads to subsequent on-press problems like registration and colour shift. A 5°C change in plate temperature can cause dots to shift by ½ rosette. Automatic Temperature Compensation, a feature of SQUARESPOT Imaging Technology, enables accurate registration even with variations in ambient temperature. Two sensors in the engine measure the temperature, and firmware in the imaging engine makes adjustments and places the pixel in an adjusted location to compensate for the aluminum expansion of the plate. “That is exactly why we say that Kodak’s is a perfect imaging system for an imperfect world,” Natesh concludes.

Hitesh’s son Karan Kansal, who recently returned after his BBA course from Frazer University in Canada, is the driving force of the new unit. “Youngsters are the future of our industry and I find it extremely pleasing to see that Karan has taken up the work more seriously than I could have envisioned. His education and exposure to the western environment will surely benefit the unit in the long run,” observes Hiresh. “Karan’s contribution in carrying out a recent market survey in the area involving visiting our existing customers and printers in the Derabassi region was an impressive experience for our entire team,” adds Natesh. It is always a pleasure to see the younger generation taking over the reins from the older one and sustaining similar business philosophy and expanding on it.

Natesh Puri (L) with Karan Kansal

Natesh Puri (L) Kodak, with Karan of Kansal Graphics

Hitesh with his stock of CtP plates