The technology allows digital flexo plates to be exposed at the same time as they are imaged, rather than requiring separate exposure on a light frame. It will be available for Cyrel Digital Imagers (CDI) in the third quarter of this year.

"A big benefit of inline UV main exposure is that it offers a controlled environment, which delivers a higher level of repeatability, consistency and control of dot formation to digital imaging," said Esko-Graphics marketing director for packaging hardware Jrgen Andresen.

He added that the development will lead to "significantly higher quality and consistency on press".

Esko-Graphics' CDI range of platesetters targets narrow, mid and wide web flexo markets.