DIGITAL PLATE TECHNOLOGY -- Platemaking Loses a Step

In the meantime, Lastra has been proceeding with beta testing of its Cosmic no-process thermal plate, which is based on switchable-polymer technology. The plate reportedly will support runs of up to 100,000 impressions, has an image resolution of 1-98 percent dots at 150 lpi and produces a green to yellow latent image. It is designed to work with standard thermal (830nm) platesetters and should be available in early 2005.