Help! Buying New Prepress: inline, viper, level 2, level 3?

[Streetpraise]

We are currently using HP5000's to output laser plates at 120LPI. We use Indesign CS1, setting most everything 2-4 up to run on small duplicators (we have templates created that are exactly the same size as the plates). We do alot of 2 color work (95+%) and will be doing more 4 color work with our new true 2 color presses (installing at same time as prepress).

We are looking to upgrade our prepress equipment to:
1. increase our quality to 150LPI, with better dots
2. make more durable plates
3. better registration, including capacity for 4 color work

I have seen the Agfa Accuset 1000 and Rapline setups with the Rip go for around $5k. I have also seen a few other fancier systems (Heidelberg and Itek) that process, cut, and sometimes punch in line, go for $6-15k.

What would you all recommend?

I have heard alot about level 2 versus level 3, but I am not really sure what that means.

We would hope to use poly plates, as I have heard that many use those for all of their work, including process.

Most of the files that we output are either PDFs sent to us by our designer or InDesign files. We are primarily an inhouse print shop, so the majority of our files we have control over.

We make around 80-120 plates a week.

Thanks so much!

 

[jmgalvin]

I'd suggest that you also post this in the tektips Indesign and Illustrator forums as there are some prepress people who participate in those.

You might also consider the Adobe forums.

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