MacDermid Graphic Solutions have developed a capped flat-top photopolymer plate; but why? A capped plate is typically a plate that has a harder thin layer of photopolymer on top of the base (softer) plate material. Historically these plates were developed for prolonged press runs and had great ink delivery through the engineered surfaces. You could almost say it was the predecessor to solid micro-cell plate screening.
Origination Based On Need:
A 2016 FTA Technical Innovation Award in the Prepress Graphics category was awarded to MacDermid Graphics Solutions for LUX ITP-60. The LUX process was developed by MacDermid to advance flexo printing through the optimization of the flexo dot profile. MacDermid had been studying how dot profile affects printability, from fluting in corrugated to dot gain and tonal range in wide-web film. Today’s capped plate has evolved further as it has been blended with the inherently flat-top dot formulations of MacDermid’s LUX In-The-Plate (ITP) product line. In short, LUX ITP allowed plate makers to receive all the benefits of the LUX flat-top dot profile, straight out of the box, with no extra steps or added equipment.
The "flat-top dot evolution" program required technique and chemistry optimization along with the surface alteration. The selection of the optimum dot profile was one of the foundations of this work. The second result was the selection of the "technique" for achieving this optimum dot profile, which ultimately led to ITP. In addition to the benefits of the LUX dot profile, it was found that there was also an enhancement of surface screening options with the LUX [lamination] process. Through optimal chemistry development, LUX ITP eliminated the lamination step. This merging of capped and flat-top technologies emerged from well-defined customer needs;
Create more options for optimizing ink transfer with respect to both solid ink density as well as overall coverage. Engineering a capped surface to interact with surface screening technologies of flat-top dot was a natural path to take.
Minimize inconsistencies from surface screening technologies seen by outsourcing plates from multiple locations and imagers. Having the ink transfer element built into the plate surface is one way to reduce external variables to the ink transfer process if done correctly. All ITP products include MacDermid’s “Patented Clean Plate Technology.”
Achieve optimal SID while avoiding longer imaging/ablation times at 4000 dpi resolution, currently required for the surface screening technologies on the market today. This is certainly a benefit for lower-res CDIs.
The ability to shift flat-top dot platemaking from a lamination process using a textured membrane and establish similar ink transfer performances from a LUX ITP (In-The-Plate) technology.
Capped Flat-Top Benefits:
LUX ITP EPIC offers the ability to optimize ink transfer and capitalize on the benefits of the flat-top dot shape: increased impression latitude, reduced plate wear, and improved fade to zero capability. The optimization of ink transfer goes beyond simply laying down more ink. Optimal surface roughness of the cap layer is developed for optimal performance under a variety of conditions, including ink type, ink volume, press speed, thermal/solvent processing and tape utilization. The ability to meet the requirements of these print environments, speaks to the flexibility of LUX ITP EPICIf you want to learn more about this subject, please feel free to reach out to us by calling 1-800-445-4017, or by e-mail at [email protected].
All Printing Resources has formed our Technical Solutions Group (TSG) to encompass our full range of expertise in all critical areas of the flexo process. This team is made up of industry professionals dedicated to being up-to-date on new technologies along with best practices. They are armed with the latest in diagnostic tools and are experienced in problem-solving that can achieve sustainable results. The TSG has walked in your shoes, and have felt your pain.
LUX ITP EPIC offers the ability to optimize ink transfer and capitalize on the benefits of the flat-top dot shape: increased impression latitude, reduced plate wear, and improved fade to zero capability. The optimization of ink transfer goes beyond simply laying down more ink. Optimal surface roughness of the cap layer is developed for optimal performance under a variety of conditions, including ink type, ink volume, press speed, thermal/solvent processing and tape utilization. The ability to meet the requirements of these print environments, speaks to the flexibility of LUX ITP EPIC
If you want to learn more about this subject, please feel free to reach out to us by calling 1-800-445-4017, or by e-mail at [email protected].
All Printing Resources has formed our Technical Solutions Group (TSG) to encompass our full range of expertise in all critical areas of the flexo process. This team is made up of industry professionals dedicated to being up-to-date on new technologies along with best practices. They are armed with the latest in diagnostic tools and are experienced in problem-solving that can achieve sustainable results. The TSG has walked in your shoes, and have felt your pain.