Pre-media

Wiltshire-based Superior Creative Services has become the first UK printer to invest in the Avalon N8-50 - part of Agfa's latest series of platesetters.

The spend, which includes developer-free Amigo plates and Agfa's Apogee Suite of workflow and production software, is part of a bid to secure the ISO14001 environmental standard this year.

The platesetter replaces a previous Esko machine and will image plates for the Melksham company's 10-colour Komori LS40 perfector and a B2 Heidelberg CD74.

Ian O'Connor, managing director of Superior Creative Services, said: "We are going for the ISO environmental accreditation and the developer-free Amigo plate is a major step towards achieving this."

The company, which already has FSC and PEFC accreditation, is aiming to seal the green standard by the end of the year.

Production director Stewart Powell said productivity was another key reason behind the investment.

"Having a strong visible image before going on the press was important, while the quality of the plate means we run up quickly and have a superbly stable platform to ensure the highest quality of our print."

Superior Creative Services, which employs 110 staff, will take delivery of the machine later this month.