Printex offers three types of Image Plates: Photo-Polymer, Thin Steel and Permanent Steel.  Depending on your printing needs, we can find the most cost effective and durable plate to work with your system.  We can provide plates for our G2 series of machines as well as those of other manufacturers.  Here is an overview of each of the three types.
Photo-Polymer Image Plates
A photo-sensitive nylon, laminated to a thin steel backing. Short to mid size production runs. Very cost effective, with the ability to produce in house with minimal equipment. A wide variety available through various manufacturers.

Different characteristics include thickness, speed, ability to hold fine detailed graphics vs. bold graphics and developing solution. There are two different methods of developing the image plate, alcohol and water. Some inks contain alcohol which would break down the plate during production. Typical life of a Photo-Polymer cliché can range between 5,000 up to 100,000 impressions
Thin Steel Image Plates
These thin steel plates offer relatively longer life than a photo-polymer plate. The thin steel surface is resistant to air born contaminants allowing for them to be less susceptible to scratching the surface. With a typical production run of 250,000 + these plates are ideal for mid to long production runs. The cost is a little more expensive than a photopolymer and you lose the ability to make them in house as they require special equipment and solvents to produce.
Permanent Steel Image Plates
These plates are the longest lasting, and most durable due to their material composition. Images are etched directly into a hardened 3/8” thick steel plate.

Their cost is the highest, but yields the most impressions during a production run.

These plates will run continuously, up to a million impressions before wearing down. These plates, like the thin steel have to be made by Printex due to the process and equipment needed.

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