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Summary: |
Computer-To-Plate
May Improve Environmental Impact |
7.27.99
By eliminating the intermediate step of film production, with its associated
environmental impacts, computer-to-plate machines would seem to lessen the
waste production of prepress. This is not necessarily the case, as the CTP
machines often need wastewater pretreatment -- which leaves similar wastes going down the drain.
Newspapers in particular are choosing CTP systems more for their production
quality and the ability to stretch press deadlines than for environmental performance.
Future CTP technologies may change this dynamic. Thermal platemaking uses a laser to image the plate along with some pre-baking and post-baking.
Processless plates are still in the development stage, but promise the possibility of chemical-free platemaking. If either of these technologies gain
acceptance, CTP systems may produce significantly less waste than film-based prepress.
Author: Mike Tartar
Source: Newspapers & Technology, July, 1999, p. 1.
http://www.newsandtech.com |
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