Process-free CTP Direct Platemaking Technology

Free handling of CTP has always been a topic of discussion. The elimination of flushing and kits is a big advantage in some areas, but so far no treatment has been widely used. If the free edition wants to be successful in the market, it must have the advantages of low price and strong printability.

Usually there are several technologies that may be exempt from processing. Four techniques that are most likely to be free of CTP:

1 Digital UV Edition

The regular version (UV exposure) provided by the supplier can perform on-press development. Recently, this technology has achieved some success, the so-called digital UV exposure version. The plate was digitally exposed with UV light, and the non-image area on the plate was removed from the plate by a fountain solution on the press.

2 violet laser photopolymerization

Some companies stated that with the improvement of the performance of (low-cost) violet laser diode technology and the continuous improvement of violet laser plate technology, exemption processing will be realized. At least one company has said that the combination of high-speed photopolymerization technology and high-power laser-diodes will be possible, which means the possibility of combining low-light imaging technology with process-free technology.

3 Thermal

Thermal-free process technology is now available, so there is no need to predict when it will be achieved. The quality and performance of thermal-free process technology have been proven, and the advantages are obvious, but there are still some unsatisfactory aspects, one of which is that thermal imaging technology is more expensive. The current process-free thermal technology is not a "universal" technology, it is suitable for some printing areas. Due to the existence of platemaking volume, reliability, cost, and other disadvantages, other fields cannot enjoy its advantages.

4 Inkjet

The inkjet CTP plate means that the image is sprayed directly on the plate or sprayed on the "carrier" layer, which is later washed away. In recent years, inkjet technology has made significant progress in quality. The massive use of users is a propeller for the development of this technology. At present, the technology has reached the photo-level output level, and in the next few years, inkjet technology will be improved. Inkjet technology is a low-cost technology, ink jet equipment is relatively inexpensive, relatively easy to implement in terms of different specifications and imaging speed, so it is also one of the candidates for future CTP technology. At present, compared with laser imaging, the biggest drawback of inkjet technology is its limited resolution and image quality. Of course, in fields where the resolution and image quality are not very high, such as newspaper industry, it can be regarded that inkjet technology can absolutely meet the candidate technology for handling CTP.

Like other technologies, exemption processing will have its own right place in the market. It is worth noting that all "conventional" CTPs (silver salts, photopolymers, photopolymerizations) promise simple, durable, and reliable use. Although the elimination of washing machines and kits is attractive in the CTP field, it is no longer the best target for CTP as previously expected, partly because of the reliability of the existing “conventional” CTP technology. Very high, but also with a strong economic motivation to achieve, from 8 to VLF and to the newspaper market is now excellent CTPX art called 'choice. Many in the industry believe that adherence; change and expect to deal only with the press The competitors are profitable, especially for those competitors who are enjoying the advantages of CTP.