DIGITAL PLATESETTERS -- The Write One

CreoScitex and Agfa have been portrayed as being at the opposite ends of the spectrum in the thermal vs. violet debate. The characterization of CreoScitex as strongly pro-thermal is fair. Agfa's position is not as clear-cut, though. The company has been one of the strongest advocates of violet, but it supports both imaging technologies in its plate and platesetter product lines. Presstek is another decidedly pro-thermal company, in both its plate and platesetter product lines. A number of other manufacturers fall somewhere in the middle, offering both visible light and thermal products.