CTP Technology to Promote the Digital Development of Printing (II)

CTP World Trends and Development Trends
1. Changing to Purple Laser Technology CTP
At present, the violet laser plate still belongs to the strictly confidential technology of various production companies and is a very competitive technology. Although it is not good to say that this technology will completely replace the thermal technology, its strong impact on the thermal technology is positive. The UV CTP inner drum is easy to manufacture, the exposure speed is high, and the imaging unit such as a laser is miniaturized, so the cost is low.

2. From a single CTP device to a fully digital process solution
The implementation of all-digital process management not only eliminates the influence of human factors, but also enables digital transfer of information, rapid discovery and resolution of problems, and ensures the efficiency and security of the entire system. Nowadays, customers are increasingly demanding CTP technology. Customers need a systematic and comprehensive solution to print, proof, and allow last minute changes in any link of production.

3. Prepress equipment resources sharing
The most advanced interface technology currently used in CTP systems is the use of RIP TIFF files to process customer production processes. Once RIP, multiple output, greatly improving the production efficiency and technical level, and easily achieve a variety of system file formats Compatibility and hybrid operation.

4. Replaceable light source technology CTP equipment
The CTP light source and plate material have been diversified. The current CTP light sources have different wavelength laser types such as 410 nm, 488 nm, 532 nm, 832 nm, and 1064 nm. The replacement of the light source technology ensures that customers can invest in CTP equipment without technology. Effective means of influence.

5. Meet increasingly stringent print production requirements
At present, the CTP system can cope with the trend of high-speed output, the expansion of specifications, and the development of automatic processing. The resistance to India is also greatly improved, and it can meet the high printing requirements of high-precision color printing and other printing sites.

6. More specialized CTP workflow and market segmentation
For book printing companies
Workflows provide accurate and safe handling of double-byte Chinese characters; high-quality printing effects; strong book layout capabilities; printing plate resistance to print and UV printing.

For newspaper printing companies
The timeliness of publication requires the high-speed output of the platesetter. Each manufacturer has launched a platform-based CTP device to pursue high productivity and a high degree of stability. Workflows provide accurate and safe handling of double-byte Chinese and data exchange with the front-end editing and editing system.

For packaging printing companies
Printing plate has high stability and easy preservation; UV printing has strong adaptability; super-large-format plate making machine can meet the requirements of super-large-format printing mechanism for outer packaging; printing plate can resist printing force to improve the number of packages and avoid duplicate printing.

For commercial printing companies (and plate output centers)

Launched inner drum and outer drum CTP equipment for large format, high quality and high production efficiency; data processing flow is open and compatible; processing speed is fast; high quality printing results can be quickly obtained;

CTP and digital proofing match more and more important
With CTP and digital production processes, more and more companies are demanding remote proofing, screen soft proofing, and digital proofing, allowing customers to truly preview digital print results.

CTP screening technology is more and more perfect
The network plays a decisive role in the printing effect and quality. Now all CTP systems can provide a variety of network parameters, exposure and other options, so that the CTP screening technology can really improve the printing quality.

The practical puzzles faced by Chinese companies investing in CTP
Compared with the increasing popularity of the international market, the impact of CTP technology on the domestic printing industry is far less than the far-reaching and extensive international market. On the one hand, printing companies are facing increasing pressure from market competitiveness. The increasingly stringent quality requirements and delivery deadlines of customers have prompted printing companies to invest funds to introduce new equipment, new technologies, and new processes. The use of cost has been improved; on the other hand, as printing has entered the era of meager profits, it will face cruel and even disorderly competition in the printing market every day. Many printing companies have many concerns about the introduction of CTP research: changes in the process of making plates, whether it can really reduce costs? Is the efficiency of the entire printing process really improved? Can printing quality really improve? Is production implementation safer and smoother? It can be seen that the correct system selection and introduction is only a good beginning, and it is a challenge to the printing company, and it is also an opportunity for all-round development.

1. Return on investment is an important factor in selecting CTP
The CTP's return on investment includes three quantitative factors: labor savings, consumable savings, and printing cost reductions. Global fixed costs, digital workflows, equipment environment construction, and production efficiency must be comprehensively considered. The rate of return on investment, such as the cost of printing plates, is due to the rapid development of prepress technology. Equipment can be eliminated in three to five years.

2. Combining the actual needs of their own companies is the core
Whether it is purple laser CTP, thermal CTP or CTcP, should be combined with the actual printing company to improve the quality of printing, this is the key to business competition. Therefore, we should choose the right CTP system based on our own status.

3. Comprehensive consideration as a prerequisite, a comprehensive solution is the key
The digital prepress environment, CTP equipment, media, and workflow are essential elements of a complete CTP system solution. Therefore, before the CTP system, companies should combine factors such as process flow, layout, digital proofing, and network environment that affect the effectiveness of the CTP, and propose a comprehensive solution to the CTP system so that it can maximize its advantages.

Let CTP System Develop Healthily and Rapidly in China
Increase the prevalence of modern digital prepress process expertise education, because the CTP equipment and supporting processes require companies to digitally manage the printing process, but also require that the typesetting and printing personnel must adapt to this digital management requirements.

Increase efforts to jointly develop CTP equipment and plates, and promote the localization of CTP systems.

Hardware vendors should work hand in hand with software vendors to solve CTP interface issues and related issues.

Focus on the development of CTcP technology using the common PS version. Because in the ordinary PS manufacturing technology, our country has advantages.

Suppliers and users must strengthen the training of CTP operation and maintenance personnel to ensure the normal operation of CTP equipment.

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