Mechanical and Optical Differences in Long Run Printing in Convencional and CTP Offset Systems

In the recent years there has been a significant growth in the area of platemaking. The development of electronic hardware and software, data manipulation, image and platesetters, has resulted with systems that image direct from computer to printing plates. From commercial point of view the usage of CtP technology is not in question. The elimination of the film making phase and direct copying on printing plate has resulted with saving of materials, less operators handling, as well significantly shorter graphic workflow time. The aim of this article is to compare the mechanical and optical properties in the conventional offset platemaking system with CtP offset platemaking system. In both cases the same original would be in optimal conditions reproduced in specified systems. The focus will be on possible mechanical and optical differences on plates and prints in long run, which resulted through different platemaking systems.