Abstract: A method for extracting step and repeat data from a halftone printing job (200). De-screening a halftone image data on a computer (104) to create a de-screened image. The de-screening (512) is performed on a halftone image data stored in a computer storage (116). The halftone image data contains at least one step and repeat element (208). The de-screened image is scanned (516) to identify unique pixel segments (520). All instances of the found unique pixel segments are used to reconstruct (524) the step and repeat data previously used to create the halftone printing job (200).

Abstract: A method for seam for a layout of a packaging printing job (908). The method is adapted to create minimal plate waste (1312) and includes the following steps; providing a wrapped layout (120) comprised of plurality of step and repeat element elements, and analyzing the wrapped layout to produce seam cut line design (1204) for the packaging printing job. The cut line is produced by searching for an non imaged areas inside the images and the borders of the step and repeat elements.

Abstract: A method for extracting step and repeat data from a halftone printing job (200). De-screening a halftone image data on a computer (104) to create a de-screened image. The de-screening (512) is performed on a halftone image data stored in a computer storage (116). The halftone image data contains at least one step and repeat element (208). The de-screened image is scanned (516) to identify unique pixel segments (520). All instances of the found unique pixel segments are used to reconstruct (524) the step and repeat data previously used to create the halftone printing job (200).

Abstract: A method for seam for a layout of a packaging printing job (908). The method is adapted to create minimal plate waste (1312) and includes the following steps; providing a wrapped layout (120) comprised of plurality of step and repeat element elements, and analyzing the wrapped layout to produce seam cut line design (1204) for the packaging printing job. The cut line is produced by searching for an non imaged areas inside the images and the borders of the step and repeat elements.

Abstract: A method for reducing waste in imaging of flexographic plates comprises the steps of: receiving an electronic art file (10); displaying the file on a computer display; selecting a set of polygonal areas (11, 12) from the displayed file in response to cost calculation associated with the selection of the set of polygonal areas; automatically offering alternative polygonal areas based on automatic cost calculation analysis based on the selection of the polygonal areas; ganging the polygonal areas into a compacted slugs file (208); imaging the compacted slugs file on a flexographic imaging device to produce compacted flexographic plate (209); cutting the compacted flexographic plate according to the selection the polygonal areas into independent flexographic slug plate pieces (210); and mounting the flexographic slug plate pieces on a carrier (211) while matching the original structure of the electronic art file.

Abstract: A system for processing printing plates (100) includes plurality of printing plate processing stations (108, 116, 120, 124) arranged in a serial chain configuration. The first station in the chain configuration is adapted to receive printing plates (132), apply station specific treatment to the printing plates and convey (112) the printing plates after the specific treatment is performed to the next station in the chain configuration. A system controller (104) adapted to monitor and control each of the plate processing stations.

Abstract: A system for enhanced plate processing including an imaging device (12) for imaging printing plates and a plate processing device for processing imaged plates. A system controller (21) is configured to send and receive information to the imaging device and the plate processing device.

Abstract: A method for reducing waste in imaging of flexographic plates comprises the steps of: receiving an electronic art file (10); displaying the file on a computer display; selecting a set of polygonal areas (11, 12) from the displayed file in response to cost calculation associated with the selection of the set of polygonal areas; automatically offering alternative polygonal areas based on automatic cost calculation analysis based on the selection of the polygonal areas; ganging the polygonal areas into a compacted slugs file (208); imaging the compacted slugs file on a flexographic imaging device to produce compacted flexographic plate (209); cutting the compacted flexographic plate according to the selection the polygonal areas into independent flexographic slug plate pieces (210); and mounting the flexographic slug plate pieces on a carrier (211) while matching the original structure of the electronic art file.