Our Journey Towards Greener Printing Practices

This week marked a significant change in our print manufacturing process at Reeds. We officially decommissioned our Fujifilm plate processing machine—a dependable aide in our production line for many years. While it was bittersweet to bid farewell, this change is a leap forward in improving our operational efficiencies and, more importantly, in significantly reducing our environmental impact.

Graham and Gareth removing the Fujifilm plate processor machine.

Understanding Printing Plates

At the core of print manufacturing, printing plates are an essential part of the printing process. These plates, crafted from aluminium, are prepared with images, text, or graphics through our Heidelberg A75 Suprasetter which lasers the graphics onto the plate. The printing plate is then put through a processor where chemicals and water are used to remove any nonessential coating used to create the imagery on the plate.

Our previous system, the Fujifilm 'lo-chem' range, was a progressive choice at the time, designed to use minimal chemicals. Despite its reduced chemical reliance, we recognised the need for a more sustainable approach.

Fujifilm Lo Chem Plate Processor | Reeds

A Sustainable Shift in Plate Processing

We have now changed our method by integrating the development part of the plate-making process directly into our Heidelberg XL75 press. This new method dramatically reduces our water usage and completely eliminates our use of chemicals in making plates. The integration not only boosts our production efficiency but also significantly enhances our environmental credentials.

James inserting printing plates into the Heidelberg press at Reeds Printers

The Impact of Going Green

Removing the old plate processor and adopting a more sustainable production technique helps us—and by extension, our clients—achieve ambitious sustainability goals. Additionally, this upgrade is a crucial step in maintaining our ISO 14001 certification for environmental management, reaffirming our commitment to continual improvement in our environmental performance.

Discover our environment and sustainability commitment, and learn how they can help you achieve your own sustainability goals. Got a question? Contact us today.