Computer-to-plate technology offers a number of opportunities and advantages for printers, but cost is often a barrier for smaller printers. An increasing number of options are available that provide opportunity for the smaller shops. For small format and shorter run printers, the use of polyester plates with CTP machines is an affordable option with prices in the $50,000 to $80,000 range. Metal platesetters for small format may cost up to twice as much. Polyester plates are 10 to 25 percent less expensive than metal plates, but there is a learning curve and machine adaptations to consider. Polyester plates also have a limit of about 20,000 impressions.

Author: Mike Tartar
Source: Prepress Technology, September/October 1998, p. 10