DIGITAL PLATES -- Shortcutting the Process

All of the technologies Citiplate is currently pursuing are photopolymer based, according to its technical director. This includes non-ablative thermal (830nm, IR), ultraviolet and violet (30-40 mW) plates.

"They are cross-linking systems," Dainton notes. "In our scenario, the non-image portions are softened by the fountain solution, but removed with the ink and deposited on the paper. That keeps the fountain clean and stable."