Barco Graphics Packaging Systems announces the commercial release of Plato, the powerful tool for the creation of print-ready plate layouts. Plato provides a strong set of automatic and interactive tools to create even the most complex step-and repeat arrangements. Plato takes analog step-and-repeat cameras and manual stripping techniques and replaces them with a smart, structured and fully digital workflow. Target customers include converters who can now take control and reduce costs by bringing optimum plate layout in-house, and packaging trade shops that supply those final plates or film as part of their core competencies.

Continuing the endeavor to integrate the graphics and structural pre-production workflows for packaging, Plato runs on the same inexpensive Windows platforms as PackEdge – for packaging prepress – and ArtiosCAD – for structural design. Plato’s open architecture supports integration into virtually any workflow, including those based on PostScript or other desktop data format standards.

Plato workflow

The Plato user imports both the graphics data and the structural information of a package design into the application. After digital nesting of the individual elements into a full-size plate layout, the graphics data are added “by reference” into this layout. Meaning that, instead of duplicating the graphics data for every repetition step, Plato only adds references to the original file, saving disk space and speeding up the process.

Once all graphics are added to the structural layout, registration marks, press guides, color bleeds, etc. can be added. Three types of marks are supported: Geometry marks, Image Marks and Smart Marks. SmartMarks are production controls that automatically update to changes in the job such as sheet and plate sizes, position of the objects in the layout and the number of inks used on the plate. Finally, the press-ready plate image can be output locally or remotely, to a filmsetter, an offset or flexo platesetter, or even a digital press.

(Adobe Certified) PostScript, PDF, Barco native, ArtiosCAD, CFF2 and DDES data input

Standard desktop graphic file formats such as Adobe Illustrator, PDF, EPD and PostScript are handled through Barco’s Certin ® technology, providing unique Adobe Certified PostrScipt input. For structural file formats, Plato directly supports ArtiosCAD Design and Manufacturing files, as well as industry standard CFF2 and DDES file formats.

Dual Output capabilities

For driving output devices using PostScript data, Plato comes with Barco’s OutRight ® technology offering uncomprimised imaging, correctly rendered transparency and overprint colors, independent of the type of PostScript RIP down the stream.

Plato output in Barco native file format is handled directly by a Barco FlexRip, for the highest speed imaging on the Barco family of filmsetters, offset and flexo plate imaging devices, or color proofers. FlexRips can also drive other film, plate and proofing devises, while still offering the benefits of Barco’s advanced screening technology and guaranteeing complete output consistency. FlexRips also have a direct Adobe PostScript 3 and PDF input channel.

About Barco Graphics

Barco Graphics, with centers of competence in Belgium, the United States, Singapore and Japan, consists of four business units: Packaging, Commercial Printing, Industrial Printing and Electronic Tooling Systems. Over the first half of 2000 these four business units together realized a turnover of 80 million euro. The activity currently employs 1000 associates worldwide.

The Packaging Business Unit focuses on high-productivity design and preproduction solutions for various packaging industry segments such as folding carton, flexible packaging, corrugated, plastic cups, metal cans, labels and point-of-purchase.

Barco’s ArtiosCAD software leads th

e industry in ease of use and functionality for the structural design of packaging. The CAD environment links directly with a wide range of computer aided manufacturing products – sample tables for cutting, creasing and milling corrugated, folding carton, foam and other materials – as well as with business systems. Besides sample tables, Barco Kongsberg also offers die saws for automatic drilling and sawing of rotary and flat die boards, and counter cutters.