Arkitex Sublima for saving ink and print enhancement in newspaper production

Better the colour production, more is the chance of catching the eyes of readers. This is what Arkitex Sublima delivers. This screening technology takes the specs of press into account, which results in a very efficient workflow for process tints, fine lines, delicate typefaces, and then every detail gets printed. Arkitex Sublima thus helps newspaper houses save ink while enhancing print quality. It allows newspapers to enlarge or reduce images with no effect on quality or ability to retain details. It widens the variety of papers that newspaper houses use at high line rulings. And it allows printing at the same level of quality on high-gloss coated stocks, translucent vellums and newsprint.

Satisfied users

Two leading newspaper groups in India—DB Corp and Jagran Prakashan—are stratified users of Arkitex Sublima. This screening technology improves print quality and there is no risk of costly reprints, ensuring removal of subject moiré. “Ink is a major chunk of expense in newspaper production. However, we are now saving 5 percent of our total ink consumption using Arkitex Sublima,” says Dinesh Sharma, Associate Vice-President (Group Production Head), DB Corp Ltd.

He continues, “Ever since we started using Arkitex Sublima our print quality has tremendously improved and we no longer have the trouble in registration. Our ultimate agenda was to get cost benefit without compromising in print quality. We could now easily eliminate moiré patters using this advanced screening tool.”

Dinesh informs that the varieties of newsprint they use are not all imported from overseas. That’s why, by using Arkitex Sublima they can go up-to 180 lpi, depending on the quality of newsprint they use. “Consumption of ink goes down naturally when we go for higher lpi. In this, the best part is that our advertisers are quite happy with our print outputs and no complaints have so far been received from their end till date,” he explains. Production team at DB Corp is tracking Arkitex Sublima on monthly basis as they would like to check ROI justification of the product.

Integrated solution

When they implemented Arkitex Sublima, DB Corp passed the same image into AM screening and later into FM through the screening technology. Dinesh mentions that they got good details in highlights and shadows, and mid-tones became smooth. According to him, another benefit of this easy-to-run enhancement tool is that it requires no special/additional hardware or software to run, except Agfa RIP. DB Corp has been using Arkitex Sublima at all of its centres, except Jaipur, Ahmedabad and Indore.

For Jagran Prakashan, it has been more than 8 years since they adopted Arkitex Sublima. “We chose this advanced screening technology for shifting from AM to FM screening. Then we found it perfect and appropriate for the purpose we were looking for,” says Vivek Bhatia, General Manager–IT, Jagran Prakashan Ltd. The newspaper group has installed the technology in all their centres in de-centralised mode. Being an integrated product, just Agfa RIP is required to run Arkitex Sublima.

Vivek explains that Arkitex Sublima has a gamut of qualitative and quantitative advantages. He adds, “Its pre-scrambled screen is the biggest advantage as it prevents pop up of moiré pattern and no screen/CtP calibration is required.” According to him, print quality at Jagran Prakashan has been controlled consistently after the adoption of Arkitex Sublima.

The bottom line is that Arkitex Sublima is a win-win situation for newspaper houses in terms of quality production with consistency and economical investment.