Toray says its solved problems

The Beacon Press hopes to return to waterless plates after Toray said it had solved its inconsistency problems.

The green pioneer reintroduced alcohol in July after problems with Torays quality meant it had to remake plates (PrintWeek, 17 July). But the Japanese firm will display its new CTP plate production line at an open house on 21 October.

Toray sales and marketing executive Graham Whittle said the new line ought to address Beacon Press concerns, adding: In the past, both CTP and analogue plates were made on the same production line, which is where the problem began.

Although Beacon Press chairman Mark Fairbrass had not heard about Torays open day, if all went well the company could switch back by Christmas. We will certainly tread carefully after being bitten fairly hard.