Imagesetters any good or bad

[fro10987]

Hi all I would greatly appreciate any information anyone can provide on imagesetters. We are a small commercial print co looking to upgrade from old camera to imagesetter. We only need a maximum size of 12 x 18 films. If anyone has experience either good or bad with a specific brand and model your opinion would really be appreciated.

[Neuro]

We use ECRM and AGA imagesetters. Both have their quirks from time to time but the ECRM is a beast. The thing just won't die. LOL!

I think Direct To Plate is the new thing. Not sure if that is something that would work for your company.

The Prepress Peeps are usually on during the day. I am sure you'll get some more specific answers tomorrow.

[frailer]

I just posted half an encyclopeadia on imagesetters and lost it in a flaky connection. Here's the short one. have a look at DaiNippon Screen. The Katana is an accurate and reliable workhorse. They make smaller one for your size. you can email me with any queries. We got a good second hand one 2 and a half years ago and it's rolled out the equivalent film to cover 800 730x600 mm plates per month in that time. The only thing that broke down is a tiny extraction fan to keep moisture out of the imaging unit (from the processor side.) Your big concerns will be locally available service plus the expertise learning curve associated with the transition to in-house digital.
Filmsetters can be had for a song due to the CTP onslaught. Google stuff; shop around. Check out ECRM. They are sure to have one for your size as well. There are also some good CTP options. If you have lots of short run work, CTP can save you lo-o-ots of labour time.
Good luck. [17 years prepress; Film planning/stripping, camera, machine/processor maint/breakdown etc..last 2-3 years digital...Harlequin RIP, PREPS, PostScript/PDF, Black Magic Proofing...Sydney, Australia]:rolleyes:

[fro10987]

I want to thank you guys for your replys. Forgive my ignorance but is ERCM a brand. As in the 2 replys so far I do realize the new thing is CTP which we have been using poly plates but our clients are continually looking for better quality and the poly plates are only so good and so-so reliable. We purchased an Xante Filmaker 4 a few years ago after trying some of thier sample films, what a joke, we now use this to output our laser/poly plates. But as stated in the replys I should be able to get a imagesetter for a song and not even have to dance!!!! As I stated we are a small company and do a lot of things very old school (trying to make it to the 20th century or is that the 21st now!!!) As we are looking for used and easy to self learn (copmuters are not a problem) what I reallly probably need to know more is what is the RIPS to steer away from and what are the usual problems that these beast have??? Also any idea of what a decent used machine should cost that in itself usually tells the condition of the machine if the seller is honest.


Again I greatly appreciate anyone and everyones opinion on any and all PROS and CONS of any machine .

THANK YOU

[Gromit801]

We use a direct to plate imagesetter from RipIt Computer Corp. Works fantastic.

http://www.ripit.com/