Harcourt Colour Print invests in Azura TS chemistry-free plates

Harcourt Colour Print has maintained its environmental stance after switching from Fuji's Pro-T to Agfa's Azura TS chemistry-free plates.

The Swansea-based commercial printer images the plates on its Screen platesetter for use across its brace of B2 five-colour Heidelberg presses.

According to Ian Harcourt, managing director at Harcourt Colour Print, the Azura plates offer a "clear visible image" on the plate before it goes on the press, while Agfa's gumming unit, which cleans and seals the plates, acts "like a mini processor".

"The changeover to the Azura TS plates went very smoothly and our Agfa representative, Jack Bennett, is in regular contact to ensure all is well," he added.

Harcourt Colour Print holds the ISO 9001 standard and is pushing for FSC and PEFC Chain of Custody as well as the ISO 14001 environmental standard.

It produces a range of print including leaflets, flyers, brochures, catalogues, magazines, newsletters, annual reports and books. In addition to the two Heidelberg presses, it operates Xerox 5000 digital machines and in-house finishing.

"We aim to offer a total print service and adopt production methods which are as environmentally friendly as possible," added Harcourt.