The importance and influence of the chemical-free digital version on newspaper plate making
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The year when the violet laser chemical-free printing plate technology began to appear, what impact will this technology have on the newspaper printing factory? This technical report describes the purple laser chemical-free printing plate technology, what it can bring, and what benefits it has for newspaper printers.
Why is the newspaper industry not using thermal technology?
Some major media suppliers have introduced thermal-free chemical-free printing technology, so the first question is why these technologies are not as popular in the field of newspaper printing as violet laser technology. Why do we need a violet laser chemical-free printing plate?
The answer lies in the direct plate-making technology used by most newspaper users for production. Almost two-thirds of the newspaper CTP system is the CTP of the violet laser. The main reason is the many advantages of the violet laser--unbeatable speed. Unparalleled laser reliability and low cost, superior image quality and more. For these reasons, the newspaper industry will continue to use the CTP system using violet laser technology, which is why the thermal CTP system is not popular in the newspaper industry.
Application of violet laser technology in newspaper industry
It is indisputable that the life of a violet laser diode is much longer than that of a thermal diode, which is why some suppliers offer a purple laser warranty that exceeds the life of the platesetter. For the newspaper industry, stability requirements are critical, and they require a quick plate-making process shortly before printing begins. Although thermal CTP has its advantages, these advantages are not the most important for newspaper printing. The three key advantages of the violet laser are:
» Violet laser diodes are more stable and reliable than thermal diodes and last longer.
» The violet laser version is faster than the thermal version, so violet laser plate making is the best choice for rapid plate making.
» For the entire system, the operating cost of the violet laser technology is lower in terms of daily production, maintenance and stability.
What are the benefits of chemical free treatment for the newspaper industry?
In commercial printing, chemical-free printing plates are widely regarded as one of the most important innovations in recent simplification of plate making. The removal of the development step means that the main variables that affect imaging stability are gone. It is no longer necessary to clean the processor and the waste liquid that handles the developer. There is no longer a need to buy expensive platesetters. All of these benefits are critical for newspaper printers seeking to streamline production, streamline workflows and cut costs. At the same time, chemical-free treatment has enhanced environmental protection for printers who are keen to minimize environmental pollution.
Which newspapers will benefit from the violet laser-free chemical treatment technology?
The demand for printing plate productivity is not high, and small newspaper printing companies based on short-run printing will be the first beneficiaries. It is unclear whether the print durability of the first-generation violet laser-free version will limit the initial application. But it is safe to say that its image quality is no different from the quality of today's newspaper CTP plates. If the print volume, productivity, and other performance requirements are met, there is no limit to the use of the violet laser chemical-free version.
How do these chemical-free versions work?
The plate is exposed through a violet laser CTP device. For Agfa's violet laser-free chemically-treated plates, the existing low-power violet laser (30 to 60 mW) CTP device is enough to expose the plate, which means no need to invest in hardware. Once the image is "written" onto the plate, all that's left to do is clear the non-image portion. This is accomplished by using a gluing system to apply glue to the plate and protect the image portion of the plate while also removing the non-image portion.
The benefits of this approach are:
» The plates obtained by the printer are identical in appearance and performance to ordinary plates;
» Due to the large contrast of the printing plate, the standard aluminum base surface is a dark graphic image, and it is easy to find errors in a quick visual inspection (such as a large version);
» You can use a normal plate density meter without any restrictions.
The original gluing system was not as fast as the current fastest CTP plate-making machine – so chemical-free plates were initially used in regional small newspapers.
How does the violet laser chemical-free printing plate work?
The violet laser chemical-free printing plate is coated on an aluminum substrate whose surface is subjected to high quality sanding and anodization. The coating is sensitive to a purple light source having a wavelength of 405 nm.
During the exposure process, the violet laser "hardens" the image portion. The non-image portion remains unexposed.
The exposed plate is coated with a standard plate protectant. During this process, the softer, non-exposed portions of the image are easily cleaned by glue.
The treated plates have the same appearance, feel and printing properties as normal printing plates. This version is no longer sensitive to light and can be saved before printing on the machine if needed.
Elaboration of the key issues of violet laser-free chemical treatment of CTP
» Violet Laser is the future of newspaper-free chemical processing technology. This view is not very controversial, and many manufacturers agree very much. The emergence of chemical-free violet laser technology will only bring more benefits to the printing house.
» Benefits. Simple, clean and environmentally friendly – saving time and money. The chemical-free version offered by most suppliers uses the traditional (best) sand-cut and anodized aluminum plate to ensure the highest level of print performance.
» Matches the current violet laser direct plate making equipment. Make sure that the chemical-free version you choose won't burden you. For example, a plate requires a high-power violet laser diode with a power of 200 mW for normal imaging. Such a plate does not match the existing plate-making machine and will affect the development of the industry. The most troublesome issue is of course the need to reinvest in a new platesetter.
» Printing performance. A successful violet laser chemical-free plate will provide a good print performance, even as it goes beyond the current violet laser photopolymer.
In general, chemical-free plate technology will have a profound impact on the newspaper CTP, as it has previously had on commercial CTP. In 2007 and 2008, the development of the violet laser-free chemical printing press technology was crucial. Chemical-free treatment may not be immediately useful for all newspapers, but it will have a breakthrough impact on many newspapers, the same as when the newspaper CTP technology in the 1990s was just beginning.