One of the most difficult questions to answer in our industry is, “How long should my plate last?” Or, in other words, “How many feet should I expect to get out of my photopolymer plates?” Considering the number of factors that must be taken into consideration, certainly anyone faced with this question should hesitate at … Read More...
Articles on Platemaking
Platemaking is a science, not an art. While there is a bit of flexibility in specifications for different processes, there are defined parameters that must be followed if high quality plates are to be made consistently. In this article, we’ll discuss six important factors for making high quality plates. 1. Relief Depth Relief depth is … Read More...
MacDermid Graphics Solutions' LUX ITP 60 Brings Benefits to Existing Workflows From the April, 2016 issue of FLEXO Magazine. Used with permission. Achieving flat top dots without adding steps to the workflow has been a reality since spring of 2014, when MacDermid launched the LUX ITP 60. In The Plate (ITP) 60 is a 60 … Read More...
Exploring Today’s Plate Imaging Options A common fear among those still using film imagesetters to produce photopolymer plates is that their device is on its last days–barely hanging on to operational status. Replacement parts are few and far between, leaving little choice but to scour the Internet for parts and redundant equipment to keep the … Read More...
Why should I replace my bulbs if they still light? UV-A and UV-C exposure bulbs lose output intensity over time. The gases inside the bulb become inert, resulting in longer start up time, while the UV output diminishes. This results in longer, inconsistent exposure times.If you have an integrator on your exposure unit you may … Read More...
Albéa brings flexo art and platemaking capabilities inhouse with the help of a full-service APR team With a flexo press that prints a wide variety of toothpaste and other tube-contained products, Albéa was heavily dependent on a third-party vendor for their artwork and platemaking. Besides the significant art and platemaking expense, this global consumer packaging … Read More...
All Printing Resources helps packaging printer make the leap to digital platemaking Customer: Prairie State Group, a full-service printer of unique packaging products, such as narrow-web flexible packaging, as well as pressure-sensitive labels. Situation: With significant funds being spent outsourcing digital platemaking, this printer needed to go from conventional "analog" platemaking to a more accurate, … Read More...
Introduction: The importance of dot formation and plate quality has not gone unnoticed over the years. In fact, these traits have been the basis for many innovations, both recent and historic. In the 1970s, photopolymer was introduced as an improvement in quality over molded rubber due to its ability to transfer an image directly from … Read More...