Violet CTP Plates

Violet CTP Plates are specialized printing plates used in modern offset printing, achieving a balance between cost efficiency, high resolution, and environmental benefits.

Violet CTP (Computer-to-Plate) plates are printing plates used in offset printing, where digital images are directly transferred to the plate, eliminating the need for traditional film negatives. These plates are sensitive to violet lasers, typically with a wavelength of 405 nm, which is used to expose the image onto the plate surface.

Violet CTP Plates are coated with a photosensitive layer (usually photopolymer or silver halide) optimized for the 405 nm violet laser. The laser exposes the plate, creating image areas that attract ink and non-image areas that repel ink.

Imaging Process: Direct digital imaging from computer to plate eliminates the need for film, improving accuracy and reducing prepress time.

Violet CTP Machine

Violet CTP Machine Specifications

Specification	Description
Performance	Excellent dot reproduction, stable performance, big latitude
Run length	Unbaked: 100, 000 impressions; Baked: 150, 000 impressions
Cost reduction	High-speed plate, good ink-water balance, quick inking, high usage rate of printing ink.
Suitability	Compatible with mainstream thermaplatesetter and plate processor, super adaptability
Cost-effective	higher
Spectrasensitivity	830nm
Laser energy required	130~150mJ/cm2
Resolution	1%-99% @200lpi.Suitable for FM screen
UV ink adaptability	Plates need to be baked
Baked plate of conditions	230°C-250°C, 5-8minutes (Speciagum should be used with baked plate )
Safelight	2 hours under the fluorescent light and white light. 12 hours under the yellow light.
Transport and storage	Keep Violet ctp plates flat in packaging, Temperature should be between 5 °C and 30 °C (10-26°C best) and humidity below 55% (40-70% best).
Maxim stacking height	1.2m
Shelf life	12 months
Developing temperature	24°C-26°C
Developing time	20s-30s
Dynamically added	130ml/m2
Static added	110ml/hour
Brush rotated speed	90-100rpm
The quantity of plate flushing	1800 m2-2500m2

HC Aluminum Printing Materials Co., Ltd. specializes in thermal CTP, PS plates, etc., with an annual production capacity of 6 million square meters.

HC Aluminum Printing Materials Co., Ltd. is a professional printing plate manufacturer. The company has 3 fully enclosed and automated PS, CTCP and CTP plate production lines.

HC Aluminum products are exported to more than 30 countries such as Russia, South Korea, India, Pakistan, Egypt, etc., and also exported to Eastern Europe, Southeast Asia, West Asia, Africa and other regions.

Our company's testing center is equipped with a full set of thermal CTP plate making machine, screen thermal CTP plate making machine, printing press for printing resistance test, multiple high-end dot testers, multiple X-ray density testers etc equipments.

Violet CTP Machine Features

Sensitivity: Designed for exposure using violet laser diodes emitting at 405 nm.
Run Length: Capable of producing up to 250, 000 impressions without baking, and up to 500, 000 impressions with baking.
Resolution: Supports up to 200 lines per inch (lpi) resolution and 20 μm FM screening, suitable for high-quality printing applications.
Compatibility: Compatible with most violet CTP systems, providing flexibility in equipment choice.
Cost Efficiency: Compared to thermal CTP, the low-energy laser reduces system costs, making it attractive for small to medium-sized printers.
Durability: With a durability of over 100, 000 impressions, it is ideal for commercial and packaging printing.
Environmental Benefits: Many violet plates are "process-free" or use low chemical processing, reducing waste and toxicity.
Speed: Due to high sensitivity, imaging speed is faster, thus increasing productivity.

Violet CTP Machine Structure

Substrate: Typically aluminum-based, providing durability and stability.
Coating: Photosensitive layer responsive to violet laser light, usually with a protective coating on top to prevent scratches and oxidation.

Violet CTP Plates Advantages

Cost Efficiency: Compared to thermal CTP plates, they typically have lower acquisition and operational costs.
Faster Plate Production: The exposure process is generally quicker, reducing plate production time.
Simplified Processing: Some plates offer simplified processing steps, especially those designed for chemical-free operations.

Violet CTP Plates Applications

Commercial Printing: Booklets, catalogs, and magazines that require fine details.
Packaging: Flexible substrates and complex designs.
Newspapers: Faster production speed, yet durable enough for short-run printing.

Violet CTP Plates Applications

Violet CTP Plates vs Other Plates

Thermal CTP: Uses infrared lasers, with higher energy and longer wavelength (830 nm), and typically requires chemical processing.
UV CTP: Has a broader spectral sensitivity but is less common due to higher costs.

Characteristics	Thermal CTP Plates	UV CTP Plates
Image
Light Source Wavelength	830nm (Infrared Laser)	350–450nm (Ultraviolet Light)
Photosensitive Layer Reaction	High-energy infrared laser activates the photosensitive layer, changing the surface of the plate	Ultraviolet light excites the photosensitive layer, causing a reaction
Exposure Method	Non-contact exposure, high precision, fast production	Sensitive to ultraviolet light spectrum, capable of producing higher precision images
Chemical Processing Requirement	Requires chemical processing or washing to remove unexposed photosensitive layer	No chemical processing required, but relatively higher costs
Image Quality	Average, suitable for standard printing requirements	High, suitable for fine images and high-end printing needs
Cost	Relatively low	Higher, due to material and process complexity, costs increase
Applicability	Widely used in commercial and mass printing	Primarily used in high-end printing, such as fine patterns or high-quality printing requirements

UV CTP plates are a versatile, environmentally friendly, high-quality printing solution that combines advanced imaging technology with operational efficiency. The driving factors for adopting UV CTP plates are cost savings, environmental compliance, and compatibility with various printing needs.

Notes

Photosensitivity: Violet CTP plates are light-sensitive and must be handled under safe light conditions to prevent exposure before processing.
Run Length: While they are suitable for medium to long-term printing, they may not match the durability of thermal CTP plates for extremely high-volume runs.

Violet CTP plates provide an economical and efficient solution for offset printing, especially for medium to long-term jobs. Their compatibility with various plate-making machines and potential for chemical-free processing makes them a popular choice in the printing industry.

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Further reading: violet ctp machineviolet ctp plates