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Image Transfer Printing Plates
Printex offers three types of Image Plates: Photo-Polymer, Thin Steel and Permanent Steel. To be the most cost effective, choose one of these three, depending on production requirements. 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		 Photo-Polymer Image Plate

Thin Steel Image Plate 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. 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.		 Permanent Steel Image Plate

 
 Image Plate Videos
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 Plate Information

Question: What do I use to clean a plate?

Answer: For photopolymer plates, use C-Solv, ink thinner or lacquer thinner. NEVER USE THE DEVELOPING CHEMISTRY TO CLEAN A PLATE. Steel plates should be cleaned in the same way. Additionally, steel plates should be coated with a light oil to prevent oxidation.

Question: What is the difference between "water" and "alcohol" plates, and which is better?

Answer: Water" and "alcohol" refer to the solution in which the exposed photopolymer plates are developed. Due to environmental pressures, manufacturers of plate materials have develop effective water-based systems. The rising cost of shipping and handling alcohol-related developers from the Department of Transportation (DOT) after 9/11 make using alcohol developing plates less and less cost effective.

In earlier times, alcohol plates represented the better products, now this is no longer the case. At this point, Printex G2-73 water developing photopolymer plate material is superior to any other materials carried by Printex or in the marketplace. Plus, there are some alcohol-based inks which will dissolve alcohol-based plates. In this case, the advantage of water-based plates becomes even more obvious.

Read more Questions about Plates

Plate Making Guidelines: PDF

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1-800-982-1928 - Fax: (858) 513-2419 - Contact Us - 12113 Kirkham Road Poway, CA 92064
PAD PRINTING SUPPLIES PAD PRINTING MACHINES CONTRACT DECORATING SALES OFFICES TECH SUPPORT ABOUT PRINTEX EMAIL BULLETINS