The road to computer-to-plate technology (CTP)
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Computer-to-plate technology is no longer a new concept. In the mid-1980s, the first digital platesetter called Eocom was developed. The CTP workflow means that the plates are made directly from digital data, without the need for film.
CTP technology benefits both the printing house and their users. It produces sharper points than traditional plates, speeds up the preparation time for printing, shortens the entire printing process from front to back, improves print quality, and allows users to get a quick return on investment. The first companies to accept CTP technology are the best in the graphic arts industry. These companies are not only because they have strong funds, but they also have the technical power to ensure that the work is completed smoothly and on time.
CTP handles a variety of printing methods, including business forms, brochures, contacts, documents, finances, newspapers, labels and packaging. In addition, CTP is also suitable for printing sheetfed and brochures. Since the CTP system is also suitable for newspapers and packaging printing, it is well known that this is an industry that mainly provides advertising film. But with Adobe's PDF portable file format and Agfa's Apogee workflow based on PDF workflow, the supply of self-produced film has been greatly reduced. For printers who have the confidence and ability to work in a fully digital prepress environment, the CTP system is the way to go. CTP has many advantages, such as sharpening halftones, better highlights, and clear details in the dark. The CTP system also provides users with higher quality and shorter work cycles, which allows them to outperform other competitors and remain invincible in the market.
Realizing computer direct plate making system
Implementing any new technology is a complex issue that requires not only the purchase and installation of software and hardware, but also the addition of related auxiliary equipment such as digital proofing systems, in addition to many organizational and human resources. The problem. The influence of CTP technology runs through every department, not only the prepress department must be competent for the filmless workflow, but also the platemaking department and the printing shop. CTP also affects the assessment, planning, and finance departments. How do market personnel locate this new technology? How do salespeople sell? Does the customer accept digital proofing? Every member of the organization needs to be aware of its responsibilities in the CTP workflow. At the same time, managers also need to develop a comprehensive plan that includes the above issues. If you want to get the most benefit in the process of implementing CTP, and the problems are the least, you need to gradually increase the number and complexity of the digital files processed. For prepress operators, this is the best way to gain expertise in the entire production process. The slow pace of growth can also reduce the financial losses caused by any mistakes.
Basic requirements for successful adoption of CTP technology
What is the key to the successful implementation of the CTP system, please see the following points:
1. Have more than two years of experience using the PostScript electronic prepress system: this experience ensures that prepress technicians are familiar with basic file handling and troubleshooting, and can quickly identify and resolve font issues, missing images, and poorly constructed Documents, etc.
2. More than half of the work is PostScript or a file compatible with the PostScript format.
3. Sufficient plate consumption: A certain amount of money is required to implement the CTP system. The printer must consume a certain number of plates in order to get a corresponding return on investment.
4. High-quality plate operations: The printer must ensure the continuity of the plate quality.
5. The main work is no more than 4 colors, and the printed network cable is lower than 175 lpi.
6. 6-12 months of digital proofing experience: Digital proofing is one of the most controversial techniques in the CTP workflow as it affects both the customer and the print shop. A variety of digital proofing techniques need to be trained for customers and print operators.
In addition, the success of printing is also related to the company's technical staff. Their technical level and learning ability directly affect the degree of introduction of CTP. The company needs to provide necessary training for such technicians. When the server handles very heavy tasks, it is very important to increase the system administrator to ensure that the server and network can operate normally. Since the CTP system affects the entire printing company, all the departments involved need to carry out a series of adjustments and training.
A step-by-step implementation of the CTP system allows printers to find their own path in the "Digital Highway." However, some companies do not have the ability to digitize prepress work, which requires the following steps. The first step is to achieve a small format (eight open) black and white printing and spot color printing system. Requires a PC or Mac workstation, black and white printer, RIP and winch imagesetter. The second step is to increase the color output. Need to install a color scanner, add workstations, color proofing equipment, and photo-alignment machines also need to be replaced with high-quality inner drum imagesetters. At the same time, the company's employees need to be trained to familiarize them with the relevant applications. After getting the basic PostScript output technology, the next step is to increase production capacity by using four-open and split large-format imagesetters, and from black and white and spot color output to four-color output. In addition, servers and high-speed network systems must be installed to handle large amounts of data. The server can also share some of the workstation's tasks to increase productivity, such as trapping, grouping, OPI, and more. But these automated processes require an electronic work ticket system to manage, such as Agfa's Apogee production management system. The next step is to perform a proofing of the group and an accurate color proofing device, such as Agfa's Sherpa. The final step is to install a direct platesetter such as Galileo or Antares. In general, it takes about two years from the complete absence of electronic prepress work experience to the successful adoption of digital workflows and the use of computer-to-plate machines for stable, high-quality commercial printing. Of course, if you already have experience in electronic prepress, the process will be relatively short. Printing companies can also accelerate the implementation of CTP by working with prepress companies and output centers.
Challenges and problems encountered in implementing CTP systems
For the printing company's boss, the adoption of the CTP system will encounter some related issues, including the choice of suppliers. Because CTP is a long-term investment, suppliers need to invest a certain amount of material resources to continue to develop this technology, so choosing a CTP producer means not only choosing one product, but choosing a partner. Many suppliers offer a platesetter, but components and consumables use other manufacturers. What you need is a full-service provider that combines front-end workflow, platesetter, plate and rinsing processes.
Plate and imaging technology is another issue that needs to be considered in implementing CTP systems. There are currently 4 printing plate technologies to choose from: photosensitive resin plates (such as N90A), silver halide plates (such as Lithostar and Silverlith), mixed plates from the first two, and finally thermal plates, all for users. Come to high quality printing effects.
Proofing problems in CTP systems has become a major concern for printers. Because this shift takes time, print operators need time to learn how to match color proofing, and customers need time to adapt and trust digital proofing. There are two types in digital color proofing: halftone and continuous tone proofing. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages, but after adjustment and management, it can produce accurate color effects. Agfa believes that although halftone proofing has its advantages, it is expensive (one hundred and three hundred thousand dollars), and continuous tone proofing has the characteristics of saving printing cost and being easy to use, so it will replace halftone. Proofing. Agfa offers a SelectProof proofing program that delivers PostScript or PDF files to any proofing device, and the ICC management system ensures consistent output. In addition to color proofing, page and group proofing are also important, and printers should also consider it carefully. Because CTP is a complex production process, it requires both professional technology and supporting software and hardware. Many manufacturers who use CTP systems to obtain a rich return on investment are more likely to succeed because they have the relevant expertise and work processing capabilities. Therefore, it is important to train your employees and adopt a standardized production process to reduce errors and increase production. Therefore, printers who want to invest in CTP must have a thorough understanding of their company's productivity and profitability. A comprehensive review of the current work process and assessment of the technical level of individual staff can be a starting point.
The main application of CTP
CTP is suitable for a variety of applications, and it is especially suitable for closed workflows that combine the editing/creation part of the front end with the production part of the back end. Therefore, the CTP system is particularly suitable for printers that use digital format data, such as form printing, financial printing, packaging printing, and general commercial printing. For newspaper publishing, newspapers that use full digital editing processes, or purely classified advertisements, can be used for CTP. Magazine publishing is a more difficult application for CTP systems because it involves advertising film provided by customers. Other small and medium-sized commercial printers are also more difficult to adopt CTP widely because of huge investment and insufficient digital file workload. They may consider using an economical CTP system based on a polyester plate, such as Agfa's SelectPlate. At different stages of the "Digital Highway", there will be different system configurations.