DIGITAL PLATES -- Shortcutting the Process

The direct cost for the plate material undoubtedly will be higher, but one will need to factor in other costs like chemistry, processor maintenance, etc., to really get an understanding of the total cost of ownership for processless, the Agfa exec asserts. On the flip side, adopters will pay a cost of ownership premium for a processless platesetter (i.e., higher acquisition costs, higher service contracts) compared to violet technology, he says.