Trisoft Graphics adds Kodak Flexcel NX Print Suite for flexible packaging

Trisoft Graphics serves narrow, mid and wide-web flexible packaging and label printers globally. In 1993, the business was founded by president Tristan Zafra and partner Johnny Hong, who together identified a market opportunity that became the catalyst to build a full-service prepress business – delivering artwork design to press-ready plates. 

 

Zafra recalled: ‘It was a time when a lot of prepress providers were primarily concentrating on quantity instead of quality of jobs and chasing lower-margin work. We decided there was greater potential and opportunity to serve more printers and their brand clients by focusing on efficient and high-quality work.’ 

 

Trisoft was an early adopter of Kodak Flexcel NX Technology in 2008 — being the first prepress customer west of the Mississippi. At the time Trisoft was using digital plates from another major manufacturer. ‘But when Kodak showed me Flexcel NX Technology, I’d never seen anything like it. We were used to getting dot sharpening with digital plates and bumping up the minimum dot to compensate. But with Flexcel NX Technology the MinDot was 1-to-1 — there was no distortion, no sharpening,’ Zafra said. 

 

The Trisoft team tested existing digital plate to try to replicate the Flexcel NX plate results. ‘To eliminate the oxygen layer, we wrapped the plate and got a flat-top dot. It was the same when we submerged the plate in water and exposed it. Our incumbent plate supplier wasn’t interested in exploring this further, and this unwillingness to change made the decision for me. We terminated our account and signed up for a Flexcel NX System!’ Zafra explained. 

With Flexcel NX plates, Trisoft was able to give customers predictable, consistent and efficient results. Terry Clark, VP of Business Development said: ‘When we started using Flexcel NX Technology we were reaching GRACoL color specs almost instantly. We were pushing into the commercial printing color space, offering increased gamut with greater productivity. It was a big leap forward.’ 

 

Flexcel NX Technology and DigiCap NX Patterning became the foundation for Trisoft’s formula, FleXtremePLUS+. Zafra explained that FleXtremePlus+ is a combination of proprietary screening, separation, color management, and processing techniques and technologies that Trisoft has developed into a robust workflow over time.  

 

With its new addition Kodak Flexcel NX Print Suite for flexible packaging from Miraclon, Trisoft can control unwanted ink spread and reduce dot gain, making the process stable and allows for a wider latitude on press.  

 

‘In a competitive consumer market, demand for so-called ‘good enough’ quality is shrinking as brands want stand-out packaging on shelf with vibrant colors, and fine detail. Brands and printers look to companies like Trisoft to invest in new technology innovations that extend the color gamut and can deliver their branding intent. With Flexcel NX and FleXtremePlus+, we have that technology. Then add PureFlexo Printing, we hit the numbers on press so quickly and the pressroom productivity becomes exceptional,’ Zafra said. 

 

Trisoft’s innovative implementation of Flexcel NX Technology, Trisoft’s FleXtremePLUS+ and PureFlexo Printing was recognized with highest honor as a Gold winner in the 2021 Global Flexo Innovation Awards. 

 

Zafra added that the relationship with partners such as Miraclon is a big part of the company’s success.