Aluminum-based lithographic printing plates can be made with a copper image surface and used in computer-to-plate (CTP) digital platesetters. Other CTP plates use a polymer image surface. Copper conducts electricity throughout the image surface whereas polymers conduct only through the cross linking resins. Therefore, the electrical component of the affinity between the ink and the image area of the plate is stronger for copper bimetalic plates. The aluminum nonimage area of these plates are smoother than the anodized aluminum of polymer plates, requiring in less fountain solution to wet completely. Manufacturer's tests have shown that bimetalic copper plates use less water, reduce makeready times, and produce less paper and ink waste. The paper waste savings was calculated at 1.3%, while ink savings were up ot 9%. The cost of the plates is higher and there will be a break-even point based upon run length.