Imprimerie Pollina relies on Kodak for efficiency and quality in prepress and on press

Imprimerie Pollina’s press fleet comprises six sheetfed offset presses in configurations from four to eight colors and with formats between B1 and 1,300 x 1,850 mm, as well as a 16-page and a 64-page web offset press. This vast printing capacity requires an average of 400 printing plates per day. Their reliable availability of consistently high quality is a prerequisite for efficient, smooth print production.

For over 20 years, Imprimerie Pollina has trusted Kodak for its printing plates and digital plate imaging technology. Laurent Pollina, President, who runs the family-owned company together with his brothers Stéphane and Paul-Alain, remains enthusiastic about the capabilities of proven Kodak Squarespot Imaging Technology. He notes, “It reliably delivers the high levels of stability, accuracy, and repeatability we need for consistent, optimal output quality.” CTP automation is equally vital for him: “Automatic plate loading with pallet loaders ensures uninterrupted productivity, reduces the need for personnel in platemaking, and simplifies handling for our plate room staff, especially with the predominantly large-format plates.” In light of these considerations, Imprimerie Pollina invested in the modernization of its CTP department and commissioned a highly automated Kodak Magnus Q3600 Titan Platesetter in November 2024.

The leap into a new VLF performance dimension

The new, most versatile platesetter, which is suitable for 4-up, 8-up and VLF plate sizes, replaced the two oldest of three Kodak Magnus VLF Platesetters at Pollina. The print shop opted for the fast W-speed option, which enables the Magnus Q3600 Titan to image 52.6 B1 plates per hour. The VLF platesetter’s high productivity is supported by the new, extremely reliable Fusion Drive, that ensures faster and more precise positioning of the Kodak Squarespot Thermal Imaging Head. This brings speed advantages, for example, when “skipping” non-imaging areas, so that the imaging process is accelerated overall.

Fully automated, high-volume plate loading

Imprimerie Pollina chose the three-segment Multi-Pallet Loader (MPL) configuration for four plate pallets with up to 1,500 plates each for the Magnus Q3600 Titan Platesetter. In the maximum configuration option, as many as five pallets plus three plate cassettes are possible, meaning that up to 7,800 plates in up to eight different sizes can be held online. “The enormous online plate capacity of the Magnus Q3600 Titan, together with its high throughput, has streamlined and optimized our VLF platemaking,” says Laurent Pollina.

In addition to the Magnus Q3600 Titan, Pollina operates a Magnus VLF Platesetter with Automatic Pallet Loader and a Magnus Q800 Platesetter with Multi-Pallet Loader. While the Magnus Q800 Platesetter outputs plates for two B1 sheetfed offset presses and the 16-page web offset press, the large-format sheetfed presses and the 64-page web press are served by the two VLF platesetters. “The highly automated CTP equipment from Kodak enables us to prepare our plates across all sizes very efficiently and with the same top-class imaging technology,” states Laurent Pollina.

Sheetfed offset embarked on the process-free path

Imprimerie Pollina is committed to reducing the environmental impact of print through the use of more eco-friendly methodologies and consumables. To further enhance operational sustainability, production on all sheetfed presses was switched from traditional wet processed plates to Kodak Sonora Xtra Process Free Plates at the beginning of 2024, and the transition to SONORA Ultra Process Free Plates has now begun. “This change in sheetfed offset, which accounts for 80% of our total plate requirements, has enabled us to significantly reduce our consumption of water, electricity and processing chemicals in prepress,” comments Laurent Pollina. “In addition, the transition to SONORA Plates has simplified platemaking, helping us to get to press faster. The plates perform exceptionally well on press, allowing us to deliver high-quality and efficiently produced print products to our customers, on time.” Moreover, the company is currently testing production with Sonora Xtra-2 plates on its web offset presses.

Laurent Pollina expresses the satisfaction of the Pollina management team with both Kodak's CTP and plate technology, as well as the ongoing support from the vendor. He states, “Over the years, the local Kodak Service & Support team has leveraged their extensive experience and technical expertise to enhance our prepress processes and maximize the potential of our CTP equipment. Likewise, Kodak's plate experts are always on hand to provide guidance and support whenever we have questions or wish to explore new combinations of plates, substrates, inks, and fountain solutions.”

Following their successful investment in the most advanced VLF platesetter and Sonora Xtra Process Free Plates, Laurent Pollina and his team are confident that their partnership with Kodak will continue to help them tackle future challenges and projects.