Central Maine Newspapers transitioned to a complete computer-to-plate workflow at its Augusta facility, tapping the CTP Alliance of vendors for thermal CTP equipment, software and consumables.

CMN installed a Screen PlateRite News 2000 platesetter, which images Southern Lithoplate’s Viper 830 thermal plates, and Polkadots Software’s Newsflo workflow app for production of the Kennebec Journal, the Morning Sentinel and a number of commercial jobs.

The CTP workflow has significantly increased output over the publisher’s old film workflow, according to Richard Boyer, director of operations.

“Basically we were outputting 19 plates an hour,” he said.

CMN considered a doublewide imagesetter, but Boyer said the publisher concluded the prices for platesetters were comparable to filmsetters.

“We liked the speed and the fit of violet systems, but plate costs were higher for violet than thermal,” he said. Violet is also a two-step manufacturing process. We decided thermal technology was more cost-effective.

CMN outfitted the CTP line with a Nela conveyor and stacker and plans to add a second CTP line in the future.

The Newsflo app offers the publisher backup via use of its hot folders, which CMN stores on a nearby newspaper’s Web site in case of power failure.

“This is a very attractive feature,” Boyer said. “Being up in Maine, we experience a lot of storms and icing conditions. The electricity can go out at any time.”

Improved print quality has resulted in less ink and water usage, according to Boyer.

“The platesetter images a very sharp dot,” he said. “Registration has improved considerably compared to lining up negatives on the plate. That saves time on press, as well as saving on newsprint.

Boyer said the learning curve was relatively short for the transition, and in the long term, he expects the move will yield advantages in staffing and scheduling.