Plate
Cleaning
- Make sure your cleaning chemicals are compatible with the photopolymer.
If you’re unsure, contact your plate manufacturer for more information. Acetate is generally too harsh for photopolymer and will cause the surface of the plate to swell, but other components, such as Aliphatic Hydrocarbons, Aromatic Hydrocarbons, and Ketones, are not recommended. For inks that have acetate components, concentrations of less than 20% should generally be okay but should be verified with a swell test. - Don't let your plates sit!
As soon as you’re done printing, it’s best to clean the ink off as soon as possible. In the best case, the ink stains the surface of the plate; in the worst case, it dries on the surface of the plate and is hard to clean off (like with water-based inks) or swells the polymer (with solvent or UV inks). - Don't brush too hard!
Fine features on plates are easy to scrub off regardless of plate type and manufacturer. Ensure you're using a horsehair brush and gently scrubbing in circular motions. You can use lint-free towels to wipe out areas sparingly as needed - Know your tools.
What are you using to clean plates? A horsehair brush is recommended, as sponges and shop rags can tear elements off the surface. - Know when to delegate and automate.
If you're struggling with inexperienced operators or other employees damaging your plates while cleaning, you could consider investing in an automatic plate washer. Consistent pressure will help prolong plate life and free up employees to do other tasks. If properly cleaning printing plates after a press run and prior to storage becomes a bottleneck, eventually piling up and leading to a labor-intensive and undesirable job to accomplish manually, consider purchasing automating plate cleaning equipment.