Autotype Americas' Aspect Quardra is an inkjet-based digital prepress system for screen printers. It not only provides an alternative to using thermal imagesetters for the production of film positives, but also equips screen printing companies with a wide-format inkjet that can be used to generate proofs and display graphics.
At the heart of the system is a 64-in. wide, high-resolution piezo inkjet printer from Roland DGA. Other components used to create film positives include Autotype's instant-dry dimensionally stable film, a proprietary version of Wasatch SoftRIP SP for screen printers, and a Windows 2000 workstation with monitor.
SoftRIP SP includes hundreds of precision rosette screens, with which prepress departments can simulate the conventional screening patterns traditionally used in screen printing. The package includes controls for angles and frequencies of PostScript screens, a predefined dot shape selection, as well as support for application-defined screens.
Technical support is provided by Autotype personnel, all of whom are experienced in digital prepress for screen printers.
Based in Schaumburg, IL, Autotype Americas, Inc. is part of Autotype International, headquartered in Oxfordshire, England. The company has a 135-year history of providing products and services to the graphic-arts industry, including prepress systems for screen printers and offset lithographers. (Autotype Americas: www.autotype.com)