Conventional Plate Technology for Direct-to-Press Digital Imaging

Conventional printing plate technologies are potential candidates for direct-to-plate digitally imaged systems. In these technologies the most successful image carrier has become aluminum sheet and, as practiced, this substrate becomes intricate with the imaged plate printing characteristics. For direct-to-plate imaging, the printing cylinder must become the carrier. Consequently, we investigated applicability of the reported lithographic plate base technologies to our direct-to- press imaging research program. This paper presents advantages and disadvantages of conventional base carrier is considered as a more-or-less permanent, reusable cylinder material. One conclusion is that the present technology is far too complex for direct-to-plate imaging modes. Reasons are discussed.