JAPAN - Sagawa Printing, Kyoto, invested in the latest generation of MDC Max Daetwyler Laserstar engraving systems, including the related galvanic and finishing equipment Sagawa offers its clients a range of printing products including publication gravure printing, web offset printing, sheetfed offset printing, business form printing, and letterpress printing. As a full-service provider, Sagawa also offers planning and artwork services and binding and wrapping services.

Sagawa has production facilities in Hino, Chiba, Atsugi and Sapporo and a total of 24 sales offices within Japan and overseas and employs a total of 1370 staff.

Founded in 1970 in Kyoto, Japan, Sagawa Printing Co. Ltd. is now seen as the leading high-quality printer in Japan. As a founder-owned company Sagawa’s strategy focuses on adopting the latest technology and combining it with its dedicated staff so it can constantly meet and exceed its customers’ expectations.

Sagawa Printing has been a MDC customer of more than 10 years. Currently it uses an automatic copper and chrome cylinder production line with four 9-channel Gravostar at its Hino factory. To achieve the required high cylinder base quality, Sagawa is also using a polishmaster.

Sagawa’s search

In its constant search to achieving superior print results for its demanding customer base, Sagawa has been investigating new technologies. This was the starting point to evaluate the Laserstar direct laser system and led to a stringent evaluation process of the system’s capabilities. This involved cylinder plating and subsequent laser engraving tests at Bauer Druck of Germany, a DLS system user since 1997. For these tests two sets of four cylinders were zinc plated at different times to determine any variations in the zinc plating process. Then the first set of cylinders was laser-engraved, using customer data, on the Laserstar using various cell types, including halfautotypical, super-half autotypical and MasterScreen (high resolution cell type).

The first set of four cylinders was then chrome-plated and shipped to Sagawa in Japan, which then printed these cylinders using a Cerutti print presses at its Hino factory. One month later the same process was repeated with the second set of cylinders that arrived identically engraved and chrome-plated from Bauer Druck at Sagawa Hino Factory.

A precise analysis of all cell types and their printing behaviour on the actual substrate was done by the customer.  The main focus was placed on the repeatability of the print results between the two sets of cylinders and on ribbon differences, which are a common occurrence on electromechanical multi-head engravers. The results of the detailed assessment clearly showed that print results were superior to those achieved with electromechanical engraving. There were no visible ribbon differences.

Full repeatability between cylinder sets and improved colour authenticity was also confirmed. In addition, the fine-cell engraving MasterScreen provided text and line work quality not seen before.

Based on the positive print results of the tests, the customer’s own extensive analysis of the cylinders, as well as visits to the experienced LASERSTAR users Bauer Druck (Poland) and Janoschka, Sagawa Printing decided to invest into the latest generation of MDC’s LASERSTAR, including the related galvanic and finishing equipment.

With this latest investment, Sagawa Printing joins the growing list of LASERSTAR users worldwide and will also benefit from a number of proven advantages of the DLS technology, which include improved printing quality, less paper waste, faster set-up times and higher print capacity.

Installation of the state-of-the-art laser-based cylinder production at Sagawa will be completed in the first quarter of 2007.