Reduced Fluting by Building a Better DotA White Paper

2

Executive SummaryDigital MAF is the latest innovative plate technology from MacDermid Printing Solutions that substantially reduces fluting in corrugated print reproduction without adding any additional steps Current practices require an additional step to the workflow ndash lamination nitrogen exposure or high intensity UV exposure ndash all of which increase overall exposure time and cost All three traditional methods use a one-dot-fits-all approach to flexo printing in the corrugated segment Digital MAF utilizes a sculpted dot optimized for corrugated This latest innovation from MacDermid is an application specific development with an engineered solution that addresses the specific problem of fluting in the corrugated segment

DMGC 3

DMGC LUX 3

DMAF 3

3

Background The Evolution of Dot EngineeringIn 2010 MacDermid Printing Solutions established itself as the flat top dot expert with the introduction of the award-winning LUXreg process IMAGE 1 shows the difference in dot shape between analog digital and LUX ndash the change in dot profile for the digital plate made using the LUX process was striking LUX combines the best of analog and digital platemaking The digital plate made using the LUX process delivered the fine imaging fidelity of a digital plate with the consistent and robust print performance of the analog dot shape The result for corrugated printing applications was a dramatic reduction in fluting with the utilization of the flat top dot technology in place of the traditional ldquoround toprdquo digital technology

Digital MAF takes this technology even further yielding benefits in print quality and fluting performance without the need for additional procedures equipment or consumables

IMAGE 1 MGC amp Digital MGC5 highlight 85 LS

ANALOG PLATE DIGITAL PLATE DIGITAL PLATE +

4

IMAGE 2 highlights a similar dot shape between Digital MAF and LUX Lamination however there is not an added platemaking step or additional equipment needed with Digital MAF A reduction in workflow steps reduces exposure time and minimizes costs Although the Digital MAF dot shape is similar to the LUX Lamination dot shape it is important to note that Digital MAF dot shapes have been optimized for even greater fluting and dot gain performance against the ldquoflat toprdquo technologies in play today

IMAGE 2 5 highlight 85 LS

DMGC DMGC-LUX DMAF

5

Building the Better Dot Reduced FlutingFluting is a problem that has plagued corrugated printing from the very beginning Simply described it is a striped area of print having higher dot gain along the tops of the flutes vs in the valleys between the flutes (see IMAGE 4) Currently there are no truly innovative solutions that are specifically tailored to the corrugated print environment Regardless of manufacturer the approach to fluting has remained the same one-dot-fits-all then add steps to adjust for segment specific issues

As the industryrsquos flat top dot experts MacDermid has studied fluting extensively in order to understand the influence of dot profile on flute performance The first step for MacDermid to tackle was to develop a process to quantify the amount of fluting evident in the printed sample Simply relying upon human judgment was imprecise and subjective

IMAGE 4

6

By combining software and hardware a method was developed to measure the change in dot gain across a printed sample The graph shown to the right (IMAGE 5) visually depicts what is seen in the print

The variation in optical density is reduced to a single number Fluting Factor (or F-factor) In the above case this represents a significant amount of fluting The following graph (IMAGE 6) is similar however the measurement was made on a board that most would consider to have a minimal amount of fluting

IMAGE 5

IMAGE 6

7

Examples of fluting for analog and digital plates are shown on the right in IMAGE 7 It is generally known that digital plates tend to flute worse than their analog counterparts

Using the same conditions for line screen ink board anilox etc and only adding the LUX process to digital platemaking IMAGE 8 illustrates a marked improvement in fluting

There is a profound change to the dot profile and more importantly to the reduction in fluting in the printed sample when adding the LUX Lamination process to the workflow Although there is a substantial improvement over the traditional digital dot the improved dot profile still requires an extra step and additional exposure time

Analog Digital

IMAGE 7

Digital + LUXIMAGE 8

8

While Digital MAF has the inherent advantage of reduced exposure time and increased workflow efficiency the most striking feature of this innovative technology is the change in dot profile and the resulting reduction of fluting as seen in IMAGE 9

The graph in IMAGE 10 summarizes the comparative performance of Digital MAF against standard digital platemaking and two different flat top dot technologies Even in cases where the flute reduction is not as large the benefits are still dramatic with respect to the lack of any ancillary steps or materials in order to achieve these results

DMAF

IMAGE 9 DMAF side profile 30 flute on 85 LPI

IMAGE 10

9

MacDermid conducted extensive alpha testing for the Digital MAF product with a prominent European trade shop and the following are print testssamples that were then used by the customer to promote this technology (see IMAGE 11) The results are amazing and immediately evident when compared to their original flat top dot option

IMAGE 11

Competitive Flat-Top Dot Technology

Digital MAF

10

An additional print test was also conducted at a major North American trade shop again comparing Digital MAF against their current competitive flat top dot option Again the results with Digital MAF were noticeably better than the existing material IMAGE 12 clearly illustrates the low fluting in print compared to competitive flat top dot technology even on lower quality substrates

During this test period Digital MAF clearly outperformed multiple competitive flat top technologies under various print condition Digital MAF simply flutes less

Competitive Flat-Top Dot Technology

Digital MAF

IMAGE 12

11

CONCLUSIONSDigital MAF represents the culmination of MacDermid Printing Solutionsrsquo dot evolution program Leveraging our LUX process technology with our innovative approach to generating these dot structures right out of the box MacDermid was literally able to reengineer dots specifically for the corrugated application tailoring the dot shape until we found the optimum structure As a result customers are now able to expand their print capabilities without sacrificing platemaking time and without additional consumables or special exposure equipment Only the flat top dot experts at MacDermid Printing Solutions can bring this type of application specific technology to the marketplace We have gone beyond building the better photopolymer we have built the better dot

For More Information About Digital MAF visit wwwmacdermidcomprinting

or email mpsproductinfomacdermidcom

2

Executive SummaryDigital MAF is the latest innovative plate technology from MacDermid Printing Solutions that substantially reduces fluting in corrugated print reproduction without adding any additional steps Current practices require an additional step to the workflow ndash lamination nitrogen exposure or high intensity UV exposure ndash all of which increase overall exposure time and cost All three traditional methods use a one-dot-fits-all approach to flexo printing in the corrugated segment Digital MAF utilizes a sculpted dot optimized for corrugated This latest innovation from MacDermid is an application specific development with an engineered solution that addresses the specific problem of fluting in the corrugated segment

DMGC 3

DMGC LUX 3

DMAF 3

3

Background The Evolution of Dot EngineeringIn 2010 MacDermid Printing Solutions established itself as the flat top dot expert with the introduction of the award-winning LUXreg process IMAGE 1 shows the difference in dot shape between analog digital and LUX ndash the change in dot profile for the digital plate made using the LUX process was striking LUX combines the best of analog and digital platemaking The digital plate made using the LUX process delivered the fine imaging fidelity of a digital plate with the consistent and robust print performance of the analog dot shape The result for corrugated printing applications was a dramatic reduction in fluting with the utilization of the flat top dot technology in place of the traditional ldquoround toprdquo digital technology

Digital MAF takes this technology even further yielding benefits in print quality and fluting performance without the need for additional procedures equipment or consumables

IMAGE 1 MGC amp Digital MGC5 highlight 85 LS

ANALOG PLATE DIGITAL PLATE DIGITAL PLATE +

4

IMAGE 2 highlights a similar dot shape between Digital MAF and LUX Lamination however there is not an added platemaking step or additional equipment needed with Digital MAF A reduction in workflow steps reduces exposure time and minimizes costs Although the Digital MAF dot shape is similar to the LUX Lamination dot shape it is important to note that Digital MAF dot shapes have been optimized for even greater fluting and dot gain performance against the ldquoflat toprdquo technologies in play today

IMAGE 2 5 highlight 85 LS

DMGC DMGC-LUX DMAF

5

Building the Better Dot Reduced FlutingFluting is a problem that has plagued corrugated printing from the very beginning Simply described it is a striped area of print having higher dot gain along the tops of the flutes vs in the valleys between the flutes (see IMAGE 4) Currently there are no truly innovative solutions that are specifically tailored to the corrugated print environment Regardless of manufacturer the approach to fluting has remained the same one-dot-fits-all then add steps to adjust for segment specific issues

As the industryrsquos flat top dot experts MacDermid has studied fluting extensively in order to understand the influence of dot profile on flute performance The first step for MacDermid to tackle was to develop a process to quantify the amount of fluting evident in the printed sample Simply relying upon human judgment was imprecise and subjective

IMAGE 4

6

By combining software and hardware a method was developed to measure the change in dot gain across a printed sample The graph shown to the right (IMAGE 5) visually depicts what is seen in the print

The variation in optical density is reduced to a single number Fluting Factor (or F-factor) In the above case this represents a significant amount of fluting The following graph (IMAGE 6) is similar however the measurement was made on a board that most would consider to have a minimal amount of fluting

IMAGE 5

IMAGE 6

7

Examples of fluting for analog and digital plates are shown on the right in IMAGE 7 It is generally known that digital plates tend to flute worse than their analog counterparts

Using the same conditions for line screen ink board anilox etc and only adding the LUX process to digital platemaking IMAGE 8 illustrates a marked improvement in fluting

There is a profound change to the dot profile and more importantly to the reduction in fluting in the printed sample when adding the LUX Lamination process to the workflow Although there is a substantial improvement over the traditional digital dot the improved dot profile still requires an extra step and additional exposure time

Analog Digital

IMAGE 7

Digital + LUXIMAGE 8

8

While Digital MAF has the inherent advantage of reduced exposure time and increased workflow efficiency the most striking feature of this innovative technology is the change in dot profile and the resulting reduction of fluting as seen in IMAGE 9

The graph in IMAGE 10 summarizes the comparative performance of Digital MAF against standard digital platemaking and two different flat top dot technologies Even in cases where the flute reduction is not as large the benefits are still dramatic with respect to the lack of any ancillary steps or materials in order to achieve these results

DMAF

IMAGE 9 DMAF side profile 30 flute on 85 LPI

IMAGE 10

9

MacDermid conducted extensive alpha testing for the Digital MAF product with a prominent European trade shop and the following are print testssamples that were then used by the customer to promote this technology (see IMAGE 11) The results are amazing and immediately evident when compared to their original flat top dot option

IMAGE 11

Competitive Flat-Top Dot Technology

Digital MAF

10

An additional print test was also conducted at a major North American trade shop again comparing Digital MAF against their current competitive flat top dot option Again the results with Digital MAF were noticeably better than the existing material IMAGE 12 clearly illustrates the low fluting in print compared to competitive flat top dot technology even on lower quality substrates

During this test period Digital MAF clearly outperformed multiple competitive flat top technologies under various print condition Digital MAF simply flutes less

Competitive Flat-Top Dot Technology

Digital MAF

IMAGE 12

11

CONCLUSIONSDigital MAF represents the culmination of MacDermid Printing Solutionsrsquo dot evolution program Leveraging our LUX process technology with our innovative approach to generating these dot structures right out of the box MacDermid was literally able to reengineer dots specifically for the corrugated application tailoring the dot shape until we found the optimum structure As a result customers are now able to expand their print capabilities without sacrificing platemaking time and without additional consumables or special exposure equipment Only the flat top dot experts at MacDermid Printing Solutions can bring this type of application specific technology to the marketplace We have gone beyond building the better photopolymer we have built the better dot

For More Information About Digital MAF visit wwwmacdermidcomprinting

or email mpsproductinfomacdermidcom

3

Background The Evolution of Dot EngineeringIn 2010 MacDermid Printing Solutions established itself as the flat top dot expert with the introduction of the award-winning LUXreg process IMAGE 1 shows the difference in dot shape between analog digital and LUX ndash the change in dot profile for the digital plate made using the LUX process was striking LUX combines the best of analog and digital platemaking The digital plate made using the LUX process delivered the fine imaging fidelity of a digital plate with the consistent and robust print performance of the analog dot shape The result for corrugated printing applications was a dramatic reduction in fluting with the utilization of the flat top dot technology in place of the traditional ldquoround toprdquo digital technology

Digital MAF takes this technology even further yielding benefits in print quality and fluting performance without the need for additional procedures equipment or consumables

IMAGE 1 MGC amp Digital MGC5 highlight 85 LS

ANALOG PLATE DIGITAL PLATE DIGITAL PLATE +

4

IMAGE 2 highlights a similar dot shape between Digital MAF and LUX Lamination however there is not an added platemaking step or additional equipment needed with Digital MAF A reduction in workflow steps reduces exposure time and minimizes costs Although the Digital MAF dot shape is similar to the LUX Lamination dot shape it is important to note that Digital MAF dot shapes have been optimized for even greater fluting and dot gain performance against the ldquoflat toprdquo technologies in play today

IMAGE 2 5 highlight 85 LS

DMGC DMGC-LUX DMAF

5

Building the Better Dot Reduced FlutingFluting is a problem that has plagued corrugated printing from the very beginning Simply described it is a striped area of print having higher dot gain along the tops of the flutes vs in the valleys between the flutes (see IMAGE 4) Currently there are no truly innovative solutions that are specifically tailored to the corrugated print environment Regardless of manufacturer the approach to fluting has remained the same one-dot-fits-all then add steps to adjust for segment specific issues

As the industryrsquos flat top dot experts MacDermid has studied fluting extensively in order to understand the influence of dot profile on flute performance The first step for MacDermid to tackle was to develop a process to quantify the amount of fluting evident in the printed sample Simply relying upon human judgment was imprecise and subjective

IMAGE 4

6

By combining software and hardware a method was developed to measure the change in dot gain across a printed sample The graph shown to the right (IMAGE 5) visually depicts what is seen in the print

The variation in optical density is reduced to a single number Fluting Factor (or F-factor) In the above case this represents a significant amount of fluting The following graph (IMAGE 6) is similar however the measurement was made on a board that most would consider to have a minimal amount of fluting

IMAGE 5

IMAGE 6

7

Examples of fluting for analog and digital plates are shown on the right in IMAGE 7 It is generally known that digital plates tend to flute worse than their analog counterparts

Using the same conditions for line screen ink board anilox etc and only adding the LUX process to digital platemaking IMAGE 8 illustrates a marked improvement in fluting

There is a profound change to the dot profile and more importantly to the reduction in fluting in the printed sample when adding the LUX Lamination process to the workflow Although there is a substantial improvement over the traditional digital dot the improved dot profile still requires an extra step and additional exposure time

Analog Digital

IMAGE 7

Digital + LUXIMAGE 8

8

While Digital MAF has the inherent advantage of reduced exposure time and increased workflow efficiency the most striking feature of this innovative technology is the change in dot profile and the resulting reduction of fluting as seen in IMAGE 9

The graph in IMAGE 10 summarizes the comparative performance of Digital MAF against standard digital platemaking and two different flat top dot technologies Even in cases where the flute reduction is not as large the benefits are still dramatic with respect to the lack of any ancillary steps or materials in order to achieve these results

DMAF

IMAGE 9 DMAF side profile 30 flute on 85 LPI

IMAGE 10

9

MacDermid conducted extensive alpha testing for the Digital MAF product with a prominent European trade shop and the following are print testssamples that were then used by the customer to promote this technology (see IMAGE 11) The results are amazing and immediately evident when compared to their original flat top dot option

IMAGE 11

Competitive Flat-Top Dot Technology

Digital MAF

10

An additional print test was also conducted at a major North American trade shop again comparing Digital MAF against their current competitive flat top dot option Again the results with Digital MAF were noticeably better than the existing material IMAGE 12 clearly illustrates the low fluting in print compared to competitive flat top dot technology even on lower quality substrates

During this test period Digital MAF clearly outperformed multiple competitive flat top technologies under various print condition Digital MAF simply flutes less

Competitive Flat-Top Dot Technology

Digital MAF

IMAGE 12

11

CONCLUSIONSDigital MAF represents the culmination of MacDermid Printing Solutionsrsquo dot evolution program Leveraging our LUX process technology with our innovative approach to generating these dot structures right out of the box MacDermid was literally able to reengineer dots specifically for the corrugated application tailoring the dot shape until we found the optimum structure As a result customers are now able to expand their print capabilities without sacrificing platemaking time and without additional consumables or special exposure equipment Only the flat top dot experts at MacDermid Printing Solutions can bring this type of application specific technology to the marketplace We have gone beyond building the better photopolymer we have built the better dot

For More Information About Digital MAF visit wwwmacdermidcomprinting

or email mpsproductinfomacdermidcom

4

IMAGE 2 highlights a similar dot shape between Digital MAF and LUX Lamination however there is not an added platemaking step or additional equipment needed with Digital MAF A reduction in workflow steps reduces exposure time and minimizes costs Although the Digital MAF dot shape is similar to the LUX Lamination dot shape it is important to note that Digital MAF dot shapes have been optimized for even greater fluting and dot gain performance against the ldquoflat toprdquo technologies in play today

IMAGE 2 5 highlight 85 LS

DMGC DMGC-LUX DMAF

5

Building the Better Dot Reduced FlutingFluting is a problem that has plagued corrugated printing from the very beginning Simply described it is a striped area of print having higher dot gain along the tops of the flutes vs in the valleys between the flutes (see IMAGE 4) Currently there are no truly innovative solutions that are specifically tailored to the corrugated print environment Regardless of manufacturer the approach to fluting has remained the same one-dot-fits-all then add steps to adjust for segment specific issues

As the industryrsquos flat top dot experts MacDermid has studied fluting extensively in order to understand the influence of dot profile on flute performance The first step for MacDermid to tackle was to develop a process to quantify the amount of fluting evident in the printed sample Simply relying upon human judgment was imprecise and subjective

IMAGE 4

6

By combining software and hardware a method was developed to measure the change in dot gain across a printed sample The graph shown to the right (IMAGE 5) visually depicts what is seen in the print

The variation in optical density is reduced to a single number Fluting Factor (or F-factor) In the above case this represents a significant amount of fluting The following graph (IMAGE 6) is similar however the measurement was made on a board that most would consider to have a minimal amount of fluting

IMAGE 5

IMAGE 6

7

Examples of fluting for analog and digital plates are shown on the right in IMAGE 7 It is generally known that digital plates tend to flute worse than their analog counterparts

Using the same conditions for line screen ink board anilox etc and only adding the LUX process to digital platemaking IMAGE 8 illustrates a marked improvement in fluting

There is a profound change to the dot profile and more importantly to the reduction in fluting in the printed sample when adding the LUX Lamination process to the workflow Although there is a substantial improvement over the traditional digital dot the improved dot profile still requires an extra step and additional exposure time

Analog Digital

IMAGE 7

Digital + LUXIMAGE 8

8

While Digital MAF has the inherent advantage of reduced exposure time and increased workflow efficiency the most striking feature of this innovative technology is the change in dot profile and the resulting reduction of fluting as seen in IMAGE 9

The graph in IMAGE 10 summarizes the comparative performance of Digital MAF against standard digital platemaking and two different flat top dot technologies Even in cases where the flute reduction is not as large the benefits are still dramatic with respect to the lack of any ancillary steps or materials in order to achieve these results

DMAF

IMAGE 9 DMAF side profile 30 flute on 85 LPI

IMAGE 10

9

MacDermid conducted extensive alpha testing for the Digital MAF product with a prominent European trade shop and the following are print testssamples that were then used by the customer to promote this technology (see IMAGE 11) The results are amazing and immediately evident when compared to their original flat top dot option

IMAGE 11

Competitive Flat-Top Dot Technology

Digital MAF

10

An additional print test was also conducted at a major North American trade shop again comparing Digital MAF against their current competitive flat top dot option Again the results with Digital MAF were noticeably better than the existing material IMAGE 12 clearly illustrates the low fluting in print compared to competitive flat top dot technology even on lower quality substrates

During this test period Digital MAF clearly outperformed multiple competitive flat top technologies under various print condition Digital MAF simply flutes less

Competitive Flat-Top Dot Technology

Digital MAF

IMAGE 12

11

CONCLUSIONSDigital MAF represents the culmination of MacDermid Printing Solutionsrsquo dot evolution program Leveraging our LUX process technology with our innovative approach to generating these dot structures right out of the box MacDermid was literally able to reengineer dots specifically for the corrugated application tailoring the dot shape until we found the optimum structure As a result customers are now able to expand their print capabilities without sacrificing platemaking time and without additional consumables or special exposure equipment Only the flat top dot experts at MacDermid Printing Solutions can bring this type of application specific technology to the marketplace We have gone beyond building the better photopolymer we have built the better dot

For More Information About Digital MAF visit wwwmacdermidcomprinting

or email mpsproductinfomacdermidcom

5

Building the Better Dot Reduced FlutingFluting is a problem that has plagued corrugated printing from the very beginning Simply described it is a striped area of print having higher dot gain along the tops of the flutes vs in the valleys between the flutes (see IMAGE 4) Currently there are no truly innovative solutions that are specifically tailored to the corrugated print environment Regardless of manufacturer the approach to fluting has remained the same one-dot-fits-all then add steps to adjust for segment specific issues

As the industryrsquos flat top dot experts MacDermid has studied fluting extensively in order to understand the influence of dot profile on flute performance The first step for MacDermid to tackle was to develop a process to quantify the amount of fluting evident in the printed sample Simply relying upon human judgment was imprecise and subjective

IMAGE 4

6

By combining software and hardware a method was developed to measure the change in dot gain across a printed sample The graph shown to the right (IMAGE 5) visually depicts what is seen in the print

The variation in optical density is reduced to a single number Fluting Factor (or F-factor) In the above case this represents a significant amount of fluting The following graph (IMAGE 6) is similar however the measurement was made on a board that most would consider to have a minimal amount of fluting

IMAGE 5

IMAGE 6

7

Examples of fluting for analog and digital plates are shown on the right in IMAGE 7 It is generally known that digital plates tend to flute worse than their analog counterparts

Using the same conditions for line screen ink board anilox etc and only adding the LUX process to digital platemaking IMAGE 8 illustrates a marked improvement in fluting

There is a profound change to the dot profile and more importantly to the reduction in fluting in the printed sample when adding the LUX Lamination process to the workflow Although there is a substantial improvement over the traditional digital dot the improved dot profile still requires an extra step and additional exposure time

Analog Digital

IMAGE 7

Digital + LUXIMAGE 8

8

While Digital MAF has the inherent advantage of reduced exposure time and increased workflow efficiency the most striking feature of this innovative technology is the change in dot profile and the resulting reduction of fluting as seen in IMAGE 9

The graph in IMAGE 10 summarizes the comparative performance of Digital MAF against standard digital platemaking and two different flat top dot technologies Even in cases where the flute reduction is not as large the benefits are still dramatic with respect to the lack of any ancillary steps or materials in order to achieve these results

DMAF

IMAGE 9 DMAF side profile 30 flute on 85 LPI

IMAGE 10

9

MacDermid conducted extensive alpha testing for the Digital MAF product with a prominent European trade shop and the following are print testssamples that were then used by the customer to promote this technology (see IMAGE 11) The results are amazing and immediately evident when compared to their original flat top dot option

IMAGE 11

Competitive Flat-Top Dot Technology

Digital MAF

10

An additional print test was also conducted at a major North American trade shop again comparing Digital MAF against their current competitive flat top dot option Again the results with Digital MAF were noticeably better than the existing material IMAGE 12 clearly illustrates the low fluting in print compared to competitive flat top dot technology even on lower quality substrates

During this test period Digital MAF clearly outperformed multiple competitive flat top technologies under various print condition Digital MAF simply flutes less

Competitive Flat-Top Dot Technology

Digital MAF

IMAGE 12

11

CONCLUSIONSDigital MAF represents the culmination of MacDermid Printing Solutionsrsquo dot evolution program Leveraging our LUX process technology with our innovative approach to generating these dot structures right out of the box MacDermid was literally able to reengineer dots specifically for the corrugated application tailoring the dot shape until we found the optimum structure As a result customers are now able to expand their print capabilities without sacrificing platemaking time and without additional consumables or special exposure equipment Only the flat top dot experts at MacDermid Printing Solutions can bring this type of application specific technology to the marketplace We have gone beyond building the better photopolymer we have built the better dot

For More Information About Digital MAF visit wwwmacdermidcomprinting

or email mpsproductinfomacdermidcom

6

By combining software and hardware a method was developed to measure the change in dot gain across a printed sample The graph shown to the right (IMAGE 5) visually depicts what is seen in the print

The variation in optical density is reduced to a single number Fluting Factor (or F-factor) In the above case this represents a significant amount of fluting The following graph (IMAGE 6) is similar however the measurement was made on a board that most would consider to have a minimal amount of fluting

IMAGE 5

IMAGE 6

7

Examples of fluting for analog and digital plates are shown on the right in IMAGE 7 It is generally known that digital plates tend to flute worse than their analog counterparts

Using the same conditions for line screen ink board anilox etc and only adding the LUX process to digital platemaking IMAGE 8 illustrates a marked improvement in fluting

There is a profound change to the dot profile and more importantly to the reduction in fluting in the printed sample when adding the LUX Lamination process to the workflow Although there is a substantial improvement over the traditional digital dot the improved dot profile still requires an extra step and additional exposure time

Analog Digital

IMAGE 7

Digital + LUXIMAGE 8

8

While Digital MAF has the inherent advantage of reduced exposure time and increased workflow efficiency the most striking feature of this innovative technology is the change in dot profile and the resulting reduction of fluting as seen in IMAGE 9

The graph in IMAGE 10 summarizes the comparative performance of Digital MAF against standard digital platemaking and two different flat top dot technologies Even in cases where the flute reduction is not as large the benefits are still dramatic with respect to the lack of any ancillary steps or materials in order to achieve these results

DMAF

IMAGE 9 DMAF side profile 30 flute on 85 LPI

IMAGE 10

9

MacDermid conducted extensive alpha testing for the Digital MAF product with a prominent European trade shop and the following are print testssamples that were then used by the customer to promote this technology (see IMAGE 11) The results are amazing and immediately evident when compared to their original flat top dot option

IMAGE 11

Competitive Flat-Top Dot Technology

Digital MAF

10

An additional print test was also conducted at a major North American trade shop again comparing Digital MAF against their current competitive flat top dot option Again the results with Digital MAF were noticeably better than the existing material IMAGE 12 clearly illustrates the low fluting in print compared to competitive flat top dot technology even on lower quality substrates

During this test period Digital MAF clearly outperformed multiple competitive flat top technologies under various print condition Digital MAF simply flutes less

Competitive Flat-Top Dot Technology

Digital MAF

IMAGE 12

11

CONCLUSIONSDigital MAF represents the culmination of MacDermid Printing Solutionsrsquo dot evolution program Leveraging our LUX process technology with our innovative approach to generating these dot structures right out of the box MacDermid was literally able to reengineer dots specifically for the corrugated application tailoring the dot shape until we found the optimum structure As a result customers are now able to expand their print capabilities without sacrificing platemaking time and without additional consumables or special exposure equipment Only the flat top dot experts at MacDermid Printing Solutions can bring this type of application specific technology to the marketplace We have gone beyond building the better photopolymer we have built the better dot

For More Information About Digital MAF visit wwwmacdermidcomprinting

or email mpsproductinfomacdermidcom

7

Examples of fluting for analog and digital plates are shown on the right in IMAGE 7 It is generally known that digital plates tend to flute worse than their analog counterparts

Using the same conditions for line screen ink board anilox etc and only adding the LUX process to digital platemaking IMAGE 8 illustrates a marked improvement in fluting

There is a profound change to the dot profile and more importantly to the reduction in fluting in the printed sample when adding the LUX Lamination process to the workflow Although there is a substantial improvement over the traditional digital dot the improved dot profile still requires an extra step and additional exposure time

Analog Digital

IMAGE 7

Digital + LUXIMAGE 8

8

While Digital MAF has the inherent advantage of reduced exposure time and increased workflow efficiency the most striking feature of this innovative technology is the change in dot profile and the resulting reduction of fluting as seen in IMAGE 9

The graph in IMAGE 10 summarizes the comparative performance of Digital MAF against standard digital platemaking and two different flat top dot technologies Even in cases where the flute reduction is not as large the benefits are still dramatic with respect to the lack of any ancillary steps or materials in order to achieve these results

DMAF

IMAGE 9 DMAF side profile 30 flute on 85 LPI

IMAGE 10

9

MacDermid conducted extensive alpha testing for the Digital MAF product with a prominent European trade shop and the following are print testssamples that were then used by the customer to promote this technology (see IMAGE 11) The results are amazing and immediately evident when compared to their original flat top dot option

IMAGE 11

Competitive Flat-Top Dot Technology

Digital MAF

10

An additional print test was also conducted at a major North American trade shop again comparing Digital MAF against their current competitive flat top dot option Again the results with Digital MAF were noticeably better than the existing material IMAGE 12 clearly illustrates the low fluting in print compared to competitive flat top dot technology even on lower quality substrates

During this test period Digital MAF clearly outperformed multiple competitive flat top technologies under various print condition Digital MAF simply flutes less

Competitive Flat-Top Dot Technology

Digital MAF

IMAGE 12

11

CONCLUSIONSDigital MAF represents the culmination of MacDermid Printing Solutionsrsquo dot evolution program Leveraging our LUX process technology with our innovative approach to generating these dot structures right out of the box MacDermid was literally able to reengineer dots specifically for the corrugated application tailoring the dot shape until we found the optimum structure As a result customers are now able to expand their print capabilities without sacrificing platemaking time and without additional consumables or special exposure equipment Only the flat top dot experts at MacDermid Printing Solutions can bring this type of application specific technology to the marketplace We have gone beyond building the better photopolymer we have built the better dot

For More Information About Digital MAF visit wwwmacdermidcomprinting

or email mpsproductinfomacdermidcom

8

While Digital MAF has the inherent advantage of reduced exposure time and increased workflow efficiency the most striking feature of this innovative technology is the change in dot profile and the resulting reduction of fluting as seen in IMAGE 9

The graph in IMAGE 10 summarizes the comparative performance of Digital MAF against standard digital platemaking and two different flat top dot technologies Even in cases where the flute reduction is not as large the benefits are still dramatic with respect to the lack of any ancillary steps or materials in order to achieve these results

DMAF

IMAGE 9 DMAF side profile 30 flute on 85 LPI

IMAGE 10

9

MacDermid conducted extensive alpha testing for the Digital MAF product with a prominent European trade shop and the following are print testssamples that were then used by the customer to promote this technology (see IMAGE 11) The results are amazing and immediately evident when compared to their original flat top dot option

IMAGE 11

Competitive Flat-Top Dot Technology

Digital MAF

10

An additional print test was also conducted at a major North American trade shop again comparing Digital MAF against their current competitive flat top dot option Again the results with Digital MAF were noticeably better than the existing material IMAGE 12 clearly illustrates the low fluting in print compared to competitive flat top dot technology even on lower quality substrates

During this test period Digital MAF clearly outperformed multiple competitive flat top technologies under various print condition Digital MAF simply flutes less

Competitive Flat-Top Dot Technology

Digital MAF

IMAGE 12

11

CONCLUSIONSDigital MAF represents the culmination of MacDermid Printing Solutionsrsquo dot evolution program Leveraging our LUX process technology with our innovative approach to generating these dot structures right out of the box MacDermid was literally able to reengineer dots specifically for the corrugated application tailoring the dot shape until we found the optimum structure As a result customers are now able to expand their print capabilities without sacrificing platemaking time and without additional consumables or special exposure equipment Only the flat top dot experts at MacDermid Printing Solutions can bring this type of application specific technology to the marketplace We have gone beyond building the better photopolymer we have built the better dot

For More Information About Digital MAF visit wwwmacdermidcomprinting

or email mpsproductinfomacdermidcom

9

MacDermid conducted extensive alpha testing for the Digital MAF product with a prominent European trade shop and the following are print testssamples that were then used by the customer to promote this technology (see IMAGE 11) The results are amazing and immediately evident when compared to their original flat top dot option

IMAGE 11

Competitive Flat-Top Dot Technology

Digital MAF

10

An additional print test was also conducted at a major North American trade shop again comparing Digital MAF against their current competitive flat top dot option Again the results with Digital MAF were noticeably better than the existing material IMAGE 12 clearly illustrates the low fluting in print compared to competitive flat top dot technology even on lower quality substrates

During this test period Digital MAF clearly outperformed multiple competitive flat top technologies under various print condition Digital MAF simply flutes less

Competitive Flat-Top Dot Technology

Digital MAF

IMAGE 12

11

CONCLUSIONSDigital MAF represents the culmination of MacDermid Printing Solutionsrsquo dot evolution program Leveraging our LUX process technology with our innovative approach to generating these dot structures right out of the box MacDermid was literally able to reengineer dots specifically for the corrugated application tailoring the dot shape until we found the optimum structure As a result customers are now able to expand their print capabilities without sacrificing platemaking time and without additional consumables or special exposure equipment Only the flat top dot experts at MacDermid Printing Solutions can bring this type of application specific technology to the marketplace We have gone beyond building the better photopolymer we have built the better dot

For More Information About Digital MAF visit wwwmacdermidcomprinting

or email mpsproductinfomacdermidcom

10

An additional print test was also conducted at a major North American trade shop again comparing Digital MAF against their current competitive flat top dot option Again the results with Digital MAF were noticeably better than the existing material IMAGE 12 clearly illustrates the low fluting in print compared to competitive flat top dot technology even on lower quality substrates

During this test period Digital MAF clearly outperformed multiple competitive flat top technologies under various print condition Digital MAF simply flutes less

Competitive Flat-Top Dot Technology

Digital MAF

IMAGE 12

11

CONCLUSIONSDigital MAF represents the culmination of MacDermid Printing Solutionsrsquo dot evolution program Leveraging our LUX process technology with our innovative approach to generating these dot structures right out of the box MacDermid was literally able to reengineer dots specifically for the corrugated application tailoring the dot shape until we found the optimum structure As a result customers are now able to expand their print capabilities without sacrificing platemaking time and without additional consumables or special exposure equipment Only the flat top dot experts at MacDermid Printing Solutions can bring this type of application specific technology to the marketplace We have gone beyond building the better photopolymer we have built the better dot

For More Information About Digital MAF visit wwwmacdermidcomprinting

or email mpsproductinfomacdermidcom

11

CONCLUSIONSDigital MAF represents the culmination of MacDermid Printing Solutionsrsquo dot evolution program Leveraging our LUX process technology with our innovative approach to generating these dot structures right out of the box MacDermid was literally able to reengineer dots specifically for the corrugated application tailoring the dot shape until we found the optimum structure As a result customers are now able to expand their print capabilities without sacrificing platemaking time and without additional consumables or special exposure equipment Only the flat top dot experts at MacDermid Printing Solutions can bring this type of application specific technology to the marketplace We have gone beyond building the better photopolymer we have built the better dot

For More Information About Digital MAF visit wwwmacdermidcomprinting

or email mpsproductinfomacdermidcom