Inexpensive Film Output Options?

[Blue Charvel]

I stumbled onto this forum because although we're mostly digital we do run one and two color work on our AB Dick + T-head and a Heidelberg MOZP. Recently we've started actually doing a bit more of that because of the current client mix. We don't have film output in house and I've been using Filmoutput.com as our source for film. They're fast, high quality, and reliable so that's been working out well for us, but now that we're really starting to do quite a bit of it, I'm starting to think I might like to bring film in-house if there is a low cost alternative. A few years back I got a Xante Filmmaker, which we ended up not using very often and it was plagued with issues, everything from connectivity to print quality so we ditched it. I'm wondering if anyone might be able to recommend a solution that would be inexpensive but still good quality. I don't really need it to be able to do 4up 8.5x11 but A3 plus bleed would be good. Most likely our output would be coming from Adobe CS 5/5.5 on the Macintosh platform.

I've already posted this in the Introductions thread, so apologies if you've read it twice!

Cheers, Pete

 

[STSTech]

Pete,

There are several ways you can go to accomplish what you want. Will send you a PM with further information.

STSTech

 

[Blue Charvel]

Thanks, very much appreciated!

 

[Joe Duffy]

With what you are going to pay to set up a film based solution, why not just go Direct to Plate?
Depending upon your needs, several used machines are low priced and even a new ECRM or Epson based CtP systems is not alot.

 

[Blue Charvel]

I've thought about that as well, although my firsthand experience with CTP is pretty much zero... before we started buying film, we were shooting it, so after the camera died we just did everything as before but with provided film... I'm a victim of the digital age so my knowledge of true prepress isn't exactly stellar... ;-)

 

[Joe Duffy]

Even a better reason to go with a modern CtP solution. If you have no prior bad habits to break you will learn fresh. Look into a workflow that Traps - you will need that for film or CtP - and read in the forum about the Epson CtP and also the Screen and ECRM solutions. There ar others out there but just to see. You can still get filmsetters if you want but by the time you get that and the plate equipment, you will be better to do to plate.

 

[STSTech]

Pete,

CTP isn't always the solution. Many question need to be answered before one considers going CTP. Joe has many good point in his post. You need to look at all the options out there and choose the one that is correct for you. Once you made you choice, don't
forget to ask, what I call the three S question, that many people forget to ask. SERVICE, SUPPLIES, and SUPPORT.

STSTech