(Ghent, Belgium) HYBRID Software is pleased to announce to the packaging and printing industry that its web-based CLOUDFLOW Patchplanner, a plate de-assembly solution for flexographic plates—specifically, its integrated system for use with automated cutting and mounting systems—has been recognized at the 2026 FTA Technology Innovation Awards. For over 20 years, the FTA Technology Innovation Awards have recognized the most innovative and influential technologies that continue to advance the packaging platemaking and printing industries. HYBRID Software received the highest honor in the Prepress Graphics category.
Flexographic plates are very expensive. When producing corrugated boxes, even though the box and plate itself may be large, the available area for printing can be very small. Manually de-assembling the plates requires extensive work, which prevents direct platemaking for large-format flexographic plates with less graphics. CLOUDFLOW Patchplanner—Plate Demolition is a web-based production tool specifically designed for corrugated box production. It automatically separates the graphic areas of prepress artwork for platemaking and automatically merges and optimizes them to minimize plate area, minimizing plate material usage. The cutting pattern is sent to the cutting machine, and a MOM XML file is also passed to the automated plate mounting equipment.
CLOUDFLOW Patchplanner—Plate Demolition is unique in many ways: its native PDF workflow, its HTML5-based browser-based application, and its integration with MIS. This HTML5-based automated prepress network system allows prepress personnel to work from anywhere in the world, rather than on a single workstation with a single application installed. Furthermore, each company can customize its workflow to meet specific production needs, ensuring accurate production within a standardized system.
Much of the CLOUDFLOW Patchplanner—Plate Demolition setup process is automated, and real-time work order cost reporting is available based on actual plate demolitions. This information can be accurately sent to MIS/ERP systems for cost accounting. Even sales personnel can import PDF files into CLOUDFLOW Patchplanner—Plate Assembly, break down job drafts, determine the area of plate material to be used, and immediately provide cost estimates at the customer's site.
Most importantly, it's an open, native PDF system. CLOUDFLOW Patchplanner—Plate Assembly accepts printable PDF files from all standard graphics applications and automatically separates and then assembles multi-color PDFs. Because other applications input files as rasterized TIFFs, any distortion can lead to distorted results. This may not be a problem for one- or two-color job drafts, but it's crucial for four- to eight-color jobs, which is why we emphasize a native PDF system workflow.
CLOUDFLOW Patchplanner—Plate Assembly helps users assemble plates faster by allowing them to add additional plate marks, such as user-defined marks that can be configured to set the distance from the plate edge.