H&W's PlateRite 2055, which replaces an older 1050 model, has a dual casette feature that enables it to handle plate creation for the firm's SRA2 format Sakurai press and its B3 five-colour Ryobi.

Pete Hulbert, managing director of the Wootton Basset-based printer, said that the new pre-press set-up would boost the company's green credentials, because it requires minimal plate processing.

"It's a more user-friendly machine for our operators, and means that we have less chemistry to purchase, store and dispose of," he added. "The plates produced are still of an exceptional quality, and the whole system is cleaner to use."

The new platesetter can accept preset parameters for a variety of printing presses and media sizes. Parameters include plate size, grip/anti-grip size, image centering, margins and punch configuration.

This information is recorded on an ID Code that is then assigned to a particular media casette. This is automatically read when the casette is inserted and the appropriate data is recalled.