DIGITAL PLATES — LESS IS MORE

THOSE DETRACTORS who claim that computer-to-plate (CTP) technology has not completely delivered on its promise might be lacking in big picture perspective. Like complaining that a cellular phone service provider doesn’t always generate “enough bars,” or the phone itself is now obsolete because it doesn’t take pictures, people often fall into the trap of wanting the next great technology.

After all, does anyone miss the early days of composition? Have fond memories of pasting up boards, shooting them, developing film and burning/punching plates?

Looking at it from the perspective of traditional prepress, there is a little room for forgiveness in noting that not all digital plates are truly process- or chemical-free from platesetter to press. The purveyors of digital plates note that many loopholes are being closed in the CTP process. It helps to maintain a little perspective, notes John O’Rourke, director of product marketing for CTP at Presstek.

“The value proposition for this technology is an extension of the value prop for CTP—reduction/elimination of process steps, labor/material cost savings and reduced waste generation,” O’Rourke says. “The universal, worldwide adoption of CTP demonstrates that this is a powerful value proposition. We believe that the market preference for chemistry-free plates will continue to drive product development and we’ll see more chemistry-free plate products from all major vendors.”

Market demand has had the greatest influence on the manufacture of digital plates, O’Rourke states. An anticipated increase in demand, he believes, will prompt manufacturers to bolster allocations of their research and development resources.

Presstek seems to be acting upon market demand, given its rollout of Anthem Pro at the IPEX exhibition earlier this year. With its Pro graining, which is said to provide improved inking and wetting latitude and enhanced performance, Anthem stakes a claim at being a true chemistry-free thermal plate, requiring no developing chemistry and just a simple post- imaging rinse. The used rinse water is drain-friendly.