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Printing and converting firms now can manufacture 3D, motion images with flexographic lenticular rollsotck, high-definition digital flexo plates
Converting Magazine, 11/12/2009 4:01:19 PM
Printing and converting companies now have the ability to manufacture 3D and motion images with flexographic lenticular, by utilizing lenticular roll-stock from Pacur and interlacing technology with Kodak's new Flexcel-NX plates provided by Pixalen Studio.
Lenstar image in flexographic lenticular printing:
While printing lenticular effects on flexographic presses has been attempted before, issues around print resolution, dot size, and press registration have prevented its success. The introduction of higher resolution imaging devices such as Kodak's Flexcel-NX Imagine System, combined with prepress and interlacing technology from Pixalen Studio, and rolled lens stock from Pacur, has now made ‘direct-to-lens' lenticular flexographic printing a reality.
"The Flexcel-NX System is amazing. The dot size is extremely precise - and combined with our Chromalen interlacing technology, it's what you need to produce great looking flexographic lenticular", remarked Tim Goggins, Director of Pixalen Studio. "Preparing the art files for lenticular, and supplying the high-resolution plates is crucial to making this a viable printing option for many of the companies that couldn't afford to go out and buy the new Kodak system."
The Chromalen technology developed by Pixalen Studio is the keystone of the process. Chromalen eliminates the registration problems of conventional lenticular flexographic printing while simultaneously eliminating "refresh" or "parallax shift" in images.
Pacur is currently stocking four standard roll widths including, 10", 13", 16" and 20" with 6" cores, and can manufacture custom roll widths based on order volume. Pacur and Pixalen have also established a starter package including, roll-stock, art-files, Flexcel-NX plates, and even press-side support to give companies a jump start printing lenticular.
"Adding motion or 3D effects to a label is going to be a great way to give a package design added value - just imagine walking in front of a store isle and having all the packages move as you are passing by! There is no doubt brand owners will see the value of motion graphics for higher-end packaging options, new product introductions, or a stealth tool to deal with a crowded category space," commented Bruce Hammerbeck - Vice President of Marketing for Pacur.
About Pacur
Pacur is an ISO 9001:2000-certified custom sheet extruder located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Pacur specializes in the extrusion of polyester, copolyester, and polypropylene resins for a variety of medical, graphic, and other high-end printing and thermoforming applications. For more information about Pacur, visit www.pacur.com
About Pixalen Studio
Pixalen Studio offers lenticular prepress services to the print industry, including creative design, art production, 2-D to 3-D conversion, interlacing, training, and proofing. Along with the service business, Pixalen is also pioneering new processes, including Chromalen technology, for the flexographic market. For more information about Pixalen Studio, visit www.pixalenstudio.com
For more information about flexographic lenticular visit http://www.lenstar.org/flexo
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