Flat-Top Dots Let’s start by stating what is meant by the term flat-top dot. A flat-top dot on a photopolymer plate is one that accepts the transfer of data from an imaging device to the finished plate at a 1:1 ratio. The 1:1 imaging ratio is measured in the file, post-CDI imaging, and ultimately on the … Read More...
Tag Archives: photopolymer
Why should I expect plate quality to improve by bringing in platemaking in-house versus what I experience with professionals that focus solely on platemaking and prepress? An incentive to bring platemaking in-house is often cost savings and fear of a press going down if a plate is damaged, missing, or worn out. In short, what … Read More...
The title of this article is meant to address a common mistake platemakers make when performing both a main exposure and back exposure step test. We see this happen more frequently on main exposure tests because the lamp cycle is much longer than a back exposure step test. With conventional bank light exposure systems, we … Read More...
The Continued Evolution of Solvent Photopolymer Plate Processing APR prides itself in not just quoting equipment and providing solution based consumables, but making it a point to thoroughly understand a customer’s needs and goals. As water wash plate technologies continue to evolve into a viable competitor to solvent and thermal processing through improved print quality … Read More...
There are essentially 3 methods of processing or washing out photopolymer plates. These processes include solvent wash, thermal removal, and water wash processing. The water wash plates of the past were not known necessary to be the best printing plate but they were known to resist ink swell and last a long time. In the … Read More...
Our industry experience a huge leap forward when direct imaging of photopolymer platemaking was introduced. Elimination of films and chemistry along with the many other benefits CDI has to offer is arguably the most significant advancement in plate quality over the past 3 decades. One not so good thing about this very positive move to … Read More...
What is the point? In a recent BLOG, reference was made to some flexographic printers using the patented Clean Plate Technology experienced such great ink transfer from plate to the substrate it often leaves the plate looking clean after the press run. Therefore, some have asked the question, "If Clean Plate Technology is so effective, … Read More...
When we see expiration dates or “best if used by…” on products, many of us ask ourselves if this is merely a suggestion or could there be some unwanted consequences by not using a product by this posted date. When it comes to food product dating a "Best if Used By/Before" date indicates when a product will … Read More...
Identifying the Problem If you have spent any amount of time manufacturing or using photopolymer plates, you most likely have run into an issue with plate cracking at one point or another. It is often the assumption that plate cracking stems from exposure to UV light by not being properly stored or protected through the … Read More...
Flat-Top Dots Let’s start by stating what is meant by the term flat-top dot. A flat-top dot on a photopolymer plate is one that accepts the transfer of data from an imaging device to the finished plate at a 1:1 ratio. The 1:1 imaging ratio is measured in the file, post-CDI imaging, and ultimately on the … Read More...