Violet CTP Plates
Violet CTP Plates are specialized printing plates used in modern offset printing, achieving a balance between cost efficiency, high resolution, and environmental benefits.
Violet CTP (Computer-to-Plate) plates are printing plates used in offset printing, where digital images are directly transferred to the plate, eliminating the need for traditional film negatives. These plates are sensitive to violet lasers, typically with a wavelength of 405 nm, which is used to expose the image onto the plate surface.
Violet CTP Plates are coated with a photosensitive layer (usually photopolymer or silver halide) optimized for the 405 nm violet laser. The laser exposes the plate, creating image areas that attract ink and non-image areas that repel ink.
Imaging Process: Direct digital imaging from computer to plate eliminates the need for film, improving accuracy and reducing prepress time.
Violet CTP Machine Specifications
Specification | Description |
Performance | Excellent dot reproduction, stable performance, big latitude |
Run length | Unbaked: 100, 000 impressions; Baked: 150, 000 impressions |
Cost reduction | High-speed plate, good ink-water balance, quick inking, high usage rate of printing ink. |
Suitability | Compatible with mainstream thermaplatesetter and plate processor, super adaptability |
Cost-effective | higher |
Spectrasensitivity | 830nm |
Laser energy required | 130~150mJ/cm2 |
Resolution | 1%-99% @200lpi.Suitable for FM screen |
UV ink adaptability | Plates need to be baked |
Baked plate of conditions | 230°C-250°C, 5-8minutes (Speciagum should be used with baked plate ) |
Safelight | 2 hours under the fluorescent light and white light. 12 hours under the yellow light. |
Transport and storage | Keep Violet ctp plates flat in packaging, Temperature should be between 5 °C and 30 °C (10-26°C best) and humidity below 55% (40-70% best). |
Maxim stacking height | 1.2m |
Shelf life | 12 months |
Developing temperature | 24°C-26°C |
Developing time | 20s-30s |
Dynamically added | 130ml/m2 |
Static added | 110ml/hour |
Brush rotated speed | 90-100rpm |
The quantity of plate flushing | 1800 m2-2500m2 |
HC Aluminum Printing Materials Co., Ltd. specializes in thermal CTP, PS plates, etc., with an annual production capacity of 6 million square meters.
HC Aluminum Printing Materials Co., Ltd. is a professional printing plate manufacturer. The company has 3 fully enclosed and automated PS, CTCP and CTP plate production lines.
HC Aluminum products are exported to more than 30 countries such as Russia, South Korea, India, Pakistan, Egypt, etc., and also exported to Eastern Europe, Southeast Asia, West Asia, Africa and other regions.
Our company's testing center is equipped with a full set of thermal CTP plate making machine, screen thermal CTP plate making machine, printing press for printing resistance test, multiple high-end dot testers, multiple X-ray density testers etc equipments.
Violet CTP Machine Features
- Sensitivity: Designed for exposure using violet laser diodes emitting at 405 nm.
- Run Length: Capable of producing up to 250, 000 impressions without baking, and up to 500, 000 impressions with baking.
- Resolution: Supports up to 200 lines per inch (lpi) resolution and 20 μm FM screening, suitable for high-quality printing applications.
- Compatibility: Compatible with most violet CTP systems, providing flexibility in equipment choice.
- Cost Efficiency: Compared to thermal CTP, the low-energy laser reduces system costs, making it attractive for small to medium-sized printers.
- Durability: With a durability of over 100, 000 impressions, it is ideal for commercial and packaging printing.
- Environmental Benefits: Many violet plates are "process-free" or use low chemical processing, reducing waste and toxicity.
- Speed: Due to high sensitivity, imaging speed is faster, thus increasing productivity.
Violet CTP Machine Structure
- Substrate: Typically aluminum-based, providing durability and stability.
- Coating: Photosensitive layer responsive to violet laser light, usually with a protective coating on top to prevent scratches and oxidation.
Violet CTP Plates Advantages
- Cost Efficiency: Compared to thermal CTP plates, they typically have lower acquisition and operational costs.
- Faster Plate Production: The exposure process is generally quicker, reducing plate production time.
- Simplified Processing: Some plates offer simplified processing steps, especially those designed for chemical-free operations.
Violet CTP Plates Applications
- Commercial Printing: Booklets, catalogs, and magazines that require fine details.
- Packaging: Flexible substrates and complex designs.
- Newspapers: Faster production speed, yet durable enough for short-run printing.
Violet CTP Plates vs Other Plates
- Thermal CTP: Uses infrared lasers, with higher energy and longer wavelength (830 nm), and typically requires chemical processing.
- UV CTP: Has a broader spectral sensitivity but is less common due to higher costs.
Characteristics | Thermal CTP Plates | UV CTP Plates |
Image |
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Light Source Wavelength | 830nm (Infrared Laser) | 350–450nm (Ultraviolet Light) |
Photosensitive Layer Reaction | High-energy infrared laser activates the photosensitive layer, changing the surface of the plate | Ultraviolet light excites the photosensitive layer, causing a reaction |
Exposure Method | Non-contact exposure, high precision, fast production | Sensitive to ultraviolet light spectrum, capable of producing higher precision images |
Chemical Processing Requirement | Requires chemical processing or washing to remove unexposed photosensitive layer | No chemical processing required, but relatively higher costs |
Image Quality | Average, suitable for standard printing requirements | High, suitable for fine images and high-end printing needs |
Cost | Relatively low | Higher, due to material and process complexity, costs increase |
Applicability | Widely used in commercial and mass printing | Primarily used in high-end printing, such as fine patterns or high-quality printing requirements |
UV CTP plates are a versatile, environmentally friendly, high-quality printing solution that combines advanced imaging technology with operational efficiency. The driving factors for adopting UV CTP plates are cost savings, environmental compliance, and compatibility with various printing needs.
Notes
- Photosensitivity: Violet CTP plates are light-sensitive and must be handled under safe light conditions to prevent exposure before processing.
- Run Length: While they are suitable for medium to long-term printing, they may not match the durability of thermal CTP plates for extremely high-volume runs.
Violet CTP plates provide an economical and efficient solution for offset printing, especially for medium to long-term jobs. Their compatibility with various plate-making machines and potential for chemical-free processing makes them a popular choice in the printing industry.
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Further reading: violet ctp machineviolet ctp plates