Category: General discussion
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Direct to plate photopolymer plates

Hello all, I just received an email from Concord Engraving announcing that they are now making direct to polymer plates. I am sending in an order this evening for a wedding suite. I will keep you posted.
Ted Lavin
Artificer Press

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What is direct to polymer plates?

Sorry, but i have not heard of the technique

thanks

LD

Most likely it means they’ve started laser-imaging the plates directly rather than using film. In the offset world this is often called Computer-to-Plate or CTP.
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Michael Hurley
Titivilus Press
Memphis, TN

Yes, Michael computer to plate it is. (I sometimes forget that some common of theveveryday terminology usedduring my day job being an estimator at RR Donnelley) doesn’t always flow to this forum. Talking with the folks at Concord Engraving it’s been operational for several months and are kicking off the new year getting this product out in the market. I am happy to have a supplier that I know will be around to supply my business.
Ted Lavin
Artificer Press

This is what CrownFlexo has been doing for a number of years. They make all my polymer plates and couldn’t be happier with the quality. Especially tiny typography and knocked out type

Halftones are also a feature those types of machines excel at.

Halftones are also a feature those types of machines excel at.

I tested out Concord’s CTP plates in December. They made a big 18x24 plate for me. It came out great.

Yeah, my plates have so far come from Crown Flexo and I’ve been very happy as well. I’m glad to hear there’s another source for good-quality CTP photopolymer, though. Competition in the market is usually a good thing.
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Michael Hurley
Titivilus Press
Memphis, TN

Printed the invites last night using the Concord Engraving CTP plates. Perfect. One item had a logo with a lot of fine detail and it was all there.
I am very happy to have a supplier that I know will be around and not subject to the whim of film suppliers
Ted Lavin
Artificer Press

  • Lammy
  • on 28 Jan 16 (10:21)

Yup my last order of plates from Concord was direct image plates. I like them very much. I have another order of 9 plates coming and I look forward to them being the same. They are an ablative plate. The photopolymer is coated with a mask that is “burnt” off with a laser to leave the exposed image behind. It’s better than film because there is no chance of dust or air getting between the negative and the plate. I thought Concord had just invested in the equipment, but Max said they’ve had the machine for quite some time but just recently found a plate material they are happy with. Great folks up there!!!