Progressive companies like Sunwest Print Corporation prioritize reducing their environmental footprint while enhancing worker safety. Remarkably, these goals align with increased productivity, as demonstrated by Sunwest’s successful transition to water wash flexo plates.
Sunwest Print Corporation is a vertically integrated manufacturer of pressure-sensitive labels and tags, operating multiple facilities across Western Canada and the Western United States. Since its inception in 2011, the company has experienced significant growth, partly due to its exclusive technology for producing silicone-treated, adhesive-coated raw paper stock.
Sunwest serves various industries, including grocery, dairy, co-packing, lumber, petrochemicals, and automotive sectors. While the company has traditionally relied on solvent-wash photopolymer plates for tag and label printing, concerns over safety and environmental impact prompted them to seek alternatives.
Transitioning to Water Wash Flexo Plates
“We had considered switching to water wash flexo plates for several years,” said Brandi Taché, Graphics/Prepress Manager at Sunwest. However, the risk associated with changing production methods and vendors was a significant concern. “In the past, production changes and new vendor integrations led to limited success and a lot of stress,” she added.
Despite the challenges, improving worker safety and reducing environmental impact became critical priorities for Sunwest. The company evaluated various prepress suppliers and equipment, considering both new and used water-wash plate processing systems.
Anderson & Vreeland (A&V) learned of Sunwest’s interest in transitioning to water-wash plates and was eager to assist. “After reviewing alternative vendors and products, we decided to purchase equipment and materials from Anderson & Vreeland,” Brandi explained.
Implementing Water-Wash Technology
Sunwest acquired an Orbital X system to process Cosmolight water-wash plates up to 25” x 30”, along with a Whirl-A-Way polymer removal system. The installation was quick, taking only one day to set up, and the following day, Sunwest was already burning plates and running them on press. “The installation was completely seamless, with no disruption to our production,” Brandi noted.
The A&V team, including Kevin Schilling, Martin Schofield, and Jessica Harrell, provided exceptional support during installation. “They answered every question, no matter how small, to ensure we were comfortable processing water-wash plates,” Brandi remarked. Their thorough approach and accessibility made a significant difference.
Benefits of Water Wash Flexo Plates
Switching to water-wash plates not only improved worker safety and reduced environmental impact but also significantly increased the efficiency of Sunwest’s plate making department. Cosmolight water-wash plates can be produced within an hour, compared to solvent-wash plates, which can take four hours or longer to dry. This rapid turnaround is crucial for maintaining production efficiency.
Damage to a plate on press necessitates immediate replacement. With water-wash plates, Sunwest can quickly produce new plates, minimizing press downtime and keeping operations running smoothly. Additionally, the company benefits from purchasing soaps and related materials from local vendors, supporting their local economy.
A Partnership for Success
“Our transition to water-wash plates and collaboration with Anderson & Vreeland has been a fantastic experience,” Brandi shared. “A&V feels like part of our team. I can reach out to them as if they were in my own office. That’s the difference between A&V and other vendors I’ve worked with.”
We at Anderson & Vreeland are proud to have built a strong relationship with Brandi and Sunwest Print Corporation. Thank you, Brandi, for placing your trust in us as your prepress supplier.
Transitioning to water wash flexo plates not only enhances production efficiency but also aligns with Sunwest’s commitment to worker safety and environmental sustainability. Let Anderson & Vreeland support your journey to more eco-friendly printing solutions!