Liquid Photopolymer Platemaking Process

Casting and Exposure

• The photographic negative is placed on the exposure unit emulsion side up.
• The coverfilm is placed over the negative and all air is removed by vacuum.
• Automatically, a precise layer of liquid photopolymer and a polyester backing sheet (the plate substrate) are applied on top of the coverfilm and negative.
• The exposure unit lid is closed.
• Upper and lower ultraviolet (UV) lamps expose the photopolymer.
• The top lamps (back exposure) create the floor, or background layer, of the plate.
• The bottom lamps (face exposure), through the negative, create the image.

Reclaim

• After exposure is complete, the plate is removed from the exposure unit.
• Photopolymer not exposed to light is reclaimed for future use.
• The coverfilm is then stripped from the plate.

Washout

• The plate is put into the washout unit where a detergent and water solution washes away any residual unexposed photopolymer.
• After the washout step, the plate is rinsed with water to remove residual detergent.

Post Exposure and Rinse

• After submerging the plate in a water and salt solution, the post exposure unit then completes the curing process with additional UV exposure.
• The plate is then rinsed and dried in the post exposure oven.

Detack

• Detacking in the germicidal unit (light finisher) is the final step to ensure a totally tack-free plate surface. Certain resins may be press-ready without the use of this treatment.

Benefits of Liquid Platemaking:

• Consumes less photopolymer when combined with the reclaim step.
• Eliminates the use of solvents and associated volatile organic compounds (VOC's).
• Provides the optimum technology for the manufacture of In-Position Plates.
• Reduces the overall processing time by eliminating the solvent drying step.
• Allows the platemaker to selectively make capped plates for print enhancement.
• Reduces inventory needs using using the same resin to make plates of multiple gauges and sizes.