An Alternative Plate Making System for Quick Printing Applications

From its founding in 1973 The Kenilworth Press, an instant print shop in Kenilworth, Illinois had worked to solve a problem shared by all instant print shops (over 50,000 shops in the U.S. alone).

The problem was "How can a commerically acceptable screened and line copy image be produced and printed at a cost much lower than the way used by commercial printers, who deal in larger quantity runs, and can afford to pass along higher set-up fees to their customers?"

After many years of research, the staff at The Kenilworth Press invented a new kind of printing plate and named it the "Ken-Tone TM" plate. This proprietary formula paper plate is reinforced with plasticizers which eliminate stratch during the press run. United States patents were applied for in 1995 and granted in 1998.

The advantages of the system over other systems are:

• Eliminates plate processing liquid chemistry.
• No process dark room camera or plate making camera is required.
• The plate is white in color - the coated side is light gray.
• Uses patented PPcleanH fountain solution, an extra concentrated, cyanide-free, biodegradeable pollution-free Etch/Fountain solution.
• Uses low or non-petroleum blanket washes.
• Uses Acrylic Oil base inks, any color. Also works with rubber base and metalic inks. Zip set black is recommended.
• Capital investment can be less than $20,000

  A new color copier is $15,000 - $30,000

  A used color copier is $5,000 - $8,000

  A RIP (Raster Image Processor) - enables the post-script TM files from any desktop computer to be printed through the copier, sells for $2,000 - $5,000 (used)

• Your cost per 11x18.5 plate is $1.10 each for 200 plates, and $1.20 each for 100 plates. Plates can be trimmed down to 8.5x11 for card and envelope jobs, cutting costs in half
• Plates may be imaged as a conventional copy of an original on the platen of the copier, or by utilizing standard desktop computers, networks and RIP's
• The platemaker also serves as a digital color copier
• The digital image runs 10,000 plus impressions, and provides an automatic half-tone screen of 200 lines plus
• Prints perfect line copy and large solids with NO background toning
• Beautiful background screen tints
• Remarkable photo reproduction

There are two peincipal types of competive digital "computer to plate" systems available today.

1. A polyester electrostatic plate is images on a special digital laser printer. Background "scatter" toning is an ongoing problem with these systems. Supplied cleaners and polishing compounds are messy, time consuming, less than adequate and will compromise the gray scale images.
2. A silver halide coated paper or polyester plate is digitally imaged, then developed in two liquid chemical baths, developer and stabilizer. Some systems also have a rinse water bath. All liquid and solid waste MUST be disposed of properly and disposal MUST be properly documented. This is expensive (maintainance/supplies) and time consuming (administrative).

The expensive liquid chemistry, EPA approved disposal od the spent chemistry, and cost plates can be cost prohibitive to a small Print/Copy Shop. Either of these systems requires a capital machine investment of about $50,000 (typically a lease-buy over 60 months).

Ken-Tone TM plate making eliminates all of the chemical/maintenance.disposal expenses associated with stand alone systems. The Ken-Tone TM plate contains plasticizers which eliminate vertical stretch. The black image toner also contains plasticizers. As the images plate exits the copier these plasticized elements merge, passing through the hydrophillic surface coating of the plate into the paper substrate in a heat seal process of over 300 degrees. This makes the Ken-Tone TM plate unique in the industry in image quality and durability.

When you purchase Ken-Tone TM plates, you are automatically licensed by The Kenilworth Press to use the plates as described in the instruction sheets. Purchasing and using any other similar plate in this manner is an infringement of our Patent Rights. All Ken-Tone TM printed signatures leave a distinct "Foot Print", easily identified under a loop. There is nothing like it in the market place. Ken-Tone TM plates are readily available by fax or phone, with same day UPS shipment.

We welcome you to the wonderful world of Ken-Tone TM.

For technical assistance call toll free 1-877-596-5211

*Trademark of The Kenilworth Press, Inc., Kenilworth, IL
TO ORDER CALL 1-877-596-5211

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