Commerce Printing Helps Agfa Celebrate a Decade of Azura Chem-Free Printing

ELMWOOD PARK, N.J.—July 29, 2015—Commerce Printing Services of Sacramento, California, has become the newest member of the Agfa Graphics GreenWorks program.

Commerce Printing Services actively seeks ways to reduce its environmental impact and over the years, started utilizing soy based ink, FSC Certified paper, Greenergy and biodiesel fuel.

The GreenWorks program accredits customers in the graphic communications industry who achieve greener outcomes through technology, products, services and practices. Commerce opted to go greener in its prepress area when the company switched to chemistry-free Azura TS plates and the Avalon CtP system from Agfa Graphics.

"We are proud to be the newest member of the Agfa Graphics GreenWorks program, helping to set an example for others in the industry with forward-looking, eco-friendly printing processes," said Gil Caravantes, owner, Commerce Printing Services. "The Azura system reliably produces a fast and consistent plate while offering a chemistry-free process. We are able to print a better, more precise  dot at a higher screen value producing a higher quality print. Quality, reliability and sustainability go a long way in providing peace of mind to clients. Consistency in color and fast, accurate make-readies on press checks equal happy customers," he added.

Azura TS, the world's number one chemistry-free plate, is a thermal, negative-working plate designed for commercial sheet fed printing operations. The first Azura plate was introduced in 2004 at drupa. Breakthrough ThermoFuse technology has set the standard in chemistry-free platemaking ever since.

"Sustainability is embedded in the culture at Commerce Printing Services and is a successful business strategy," stated Dave Carey, senior product marketing manager, Agfa Graphics, North America. "We support and celebrate Commerce for their industry-leading approach to establishing processes that benefit the planet."

In recognition of Commerce PrintingServices' remarkable efforts to be a more sustainable printing business, Agfa Graphics has chosen Commerce as the U.S. site for the global celebration "Azura: 10 Years of Innovation" taking place Tuesday, July 28 at 11 a.m. (PDT).

Agfa Graphics is celebrating a decade of Azura, the global leading chemistry-free printing plate, by spotlighting twelve customers from all over the world.

To learn more about GreenWorks or how to qualify, visit www.agfagraphics.us/greenworks. For more information about Azura: 10 Years of Innovation, click here.

About Agfa
The Agfa-Gevaert Group is one of the world's leading companies in imaging and information technology. Agfa develops, manufactures and markets analog and digital systems for the printing industry (Agfa Graphics), for the healthcare sector (Agfa Healthcare) and for specific industrial applications (Agfa Materials). Agfa is headquartered in Mortsel, Belgium. The company is present in 40 countries and has agents in another 100 countries around the globe. The Agfa-Gevaert Group achieved a turnover of 2,620 million euros in 2014.

About Agfa Graphics
Agfa Graphics offers integrated prepress solutions to the printing industry. These solutions comprise consumables, hardware, software and services for production workflow, project and color management. Agfa Graphics is a worldwide leader with its computer-to-plate and digital proofing systems for commercial and packaging printing and the newspaper publishing markets. Agfa Graphics is rapidly developing its position in the new segments of industrial inkjet with comprehensive solutions for various applications such as documents, posters, banners, signage, displays, labels and packaging materials. Its experience in both imaging and emulsion technology has provided the expertise required for developing a complete assortment of high-quality inks.

About Pitman, an Agfa Company
Pitman, an Agfa Graphics company, collaborates with world class manufacturers to provide a diverse offering of the most advanced solutions for the prepress, pressroom, wide-format, newspaper, packaging and commercial printing industries. Pitman reinforces its customer-focused approach by providing the market with an unmatched distribution network, expert specialists and unparalleled service excellence. Together, Agfa Graphics and Pitman deliver integrated and complete solutions tailored to the ever-changing needs of the graphic communications industry, enabling businesses to produce powerful messages and be more profitable.

Source: Agfa Graphics.