|
Plateless Processes
Applications - Process Overview
- Equipment
Applications
The various plateless printing processes are quite different from the
five major conventional printing processes described above. Unlike
traditional processes, the new processes do not use printing plates or any
other type of physical image carrier. Instead, they rely on sophisticated
computer software and hardware to control the printing elements.
Currently, however, the plateless processes are restricted largely to
in-plant and quick printing applications.
Printing Type Process Overview
In terms of chemical use, the plateless processes have a number of
advantages over traditional printing processes. Typically, make-ready
preparations are done electronically so the various chemicals associated
with prepress operations are largely avoided. Plateless processes do not
require solvent washes and with a few exceptions (e.g., ink jet printers)
dry (solventless) inks are used. Though the chemicals used in plateless
processes depends on the particular process involved, important chemicals
include Freon 11, inks, and hydrocarbon based solvents (GATF 1992b).
Equipment
A number of commercial plateless printing technologies exist including:
electronic printing, ink jet printing, magnetography, ion deposition
printing, direct charge deposition printing, and the Mead Cycolor
Photocapsule process.
More Information... |
