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Liquid Photopolymer Products

MacDermid Printing Solutions' broad line of liquid photopolymer products offers an unbeatable combination of exceptional value and quality to the flexographic printer. Liquid Platemaking is well suited for the following water-based ink printing applications: corrugated post-print, wide web/thin plate and hand stamp/marking devices. Using liquid platemaking in your operation has a significant number of environmental advantages as well.

To learn more about how the liquid platemaking process works, click here.

Corrugated Post Print
Liquid photopolymer printing plates have been the standard in the corrugated printing market since 1975. Products are available in hardnesses of 20, 25, and 32 Shore A and may be combined with MacDermid's capped plate technology for even better print performance. For more information on liquid photopolymer plates that will work well within this market segment, please see the Liquid Selection Guide.

LTL
The gold standard in liquid platemaking, MacDermid LTL is a 32 durometer resin designed specifically to provide 0.112-0.280" thick photopolymer printing plates for the corrugated market. LTL contains patented plate technology featuring a combination of outstanding heat, humidity and UV resistance, excellent printability, and clean running on press.

32R
MacDermid 32R is a 32 durometer resin used to manufacture 0.112 - 0.250" thick photopolymer printing plates. 32R combines a wide imaging latitude with excellent durability, resulting in an extremely versatile printing plate for the corrugated market.

Wide Web/Thin Plate
Including products for the pre-print linerboard, multiwall bag, folding carton and paper cup printing markets, MacDermid provides base and cap resins for every level of printing quality needed. Product selection is based on the plate thickness required and the printing application. For more information on liquid photopolymer plates that will work well within this market segment, please see the Liquid Selection Guide.

HIT
MacDermid HIT plates use the latest technology to combine high quality ink transfer with unsurpassed imaging capability for superior print reproduction. HIT photopolymer is a 50 durometer (Shore A) resin used to manufacture 0.045 - 0.125" thick liquid photopolymer printing plates for the wide-web/thin plate markets, and is capable of printing detail up to 1% at 175 lpi.

RBI
MacDermid RBI is a heat/humidity/UV resistant, 50 durometer product that incorporates high resilience for improved ink transfer on press. Due to its unique technology, RBI exhibits excellent press longevity and clean running characteristics.

D50
MacDermid D50 liquid photopolymer is a 50 durometer (Shore A) resin used in a variety of unique print and non-print applications. D50 plates are low tack and highly durable, and possess excellent swell resistance.

Hand Stamp/Marking Device
There are several MacDermid photopolymers available for the hand stamp, molding, and marking device markets. For more information on liquid photopolymer plates that will work well within this market segment, please see the Liquid Selection Guide.

CLR
MacDermid CLR photopolymer, designed especially for the craft/ scrapbook market, is the industry-leading clear resin with superior UV stability and resistance to yellowing. It outperforms similar offerings in the marketplace with unparalleled flexibility and toughness.

Cap Resins
Cap resins are used in combination with most MacDermid liquid photopolymer base resins to increase the overall tone range and print capability of a printing plate. Capping technology involves the casting of a very thin layer of harder cap resin over a softer base resin. The imaging characteristics of the cap resin create a print surface in the final plate with near vertical side walls that minimizes dot gain. Under impression, the harder cap resin recedes into the softer base rather than distorting, leaving a clean, sharp image. For more information on the benefits of MacDermid capping resins, click here.

Ancillary Products
There are several ancillary products that are used in the production of liquid photopolymer plates such as substrate, coverfilms, and detergents. For more information about the products that will work best for your application, please see the Liquid Selection Guide.

Technical Tips
For more information on liquid technical tips, click here.

Liquid Photopolymer Equipment

Small/Mid: For small- and mid-size platemaking operations, MacDermid recommends a LiquifleX Liquid Photopolymer Platemaker. The MacDermid LiquifleX Platemaker represents the latest advancements in liquid photopolymer platemaking technology. It combines the benefits of liquid, such as low plate cost and flexibility of operation, with the simplicity of sheet platemaking.

Large: For larger operations, MacDermid offers the Merigraph 5280, which offers a full 52x80 image area and allows for in-position platemaking.

Aspect Quadra Inkjet Film - As an alternative to silver analog film, look to MacDermid Aspect Quadra to create a replacement for silver film suitable for use with liquid photopolymer and analog sheet photopolymer manufacturing. The Aspect Quadra product uses a proprietary aqueous black inkjet process to create films in sizes up to 60" wide and at resolutions up to 85 lpi.

 

Liquid Photopolymer Sustainability

Compared to traditional solvent sheet plates, the use of liquid photopolymer has many environmental advantages:

• Does not use solvents or volatile organic compounds (VOC's)
• Reclaims un-imaged photopolymer and puts it back in the process
• Enables the creation of In-Position Plates
• Consumes 80% less energy*
• Results in a 76% reduction in CO2 equivalents* (climate change factor)
• Releases 26% fewer CFC-11 equivalents* (ozone depletion factor)

*This information was derived from a Life Cycle Assessment tool created for MacDermid, called the Environmental Footprint Calculator (EFC). For more information about the EFC and how it was created, please read the EFC White Paper.

In-Position Plates
One extension of liquid photopolymer platemaking is the creation of Liquid In-Position Plates. In addition to the benefits described above, In-Position Plates use 50% less photopolymer and weigh 70-80% less, which can make a big impact in terms of safety and shipping costs. For more information on how liquid In-Position Plates are made, read this article: Liquid In-Position Plates: Never An Imposition.

For more information about the sustainability of MacDermid's products, visit the MacDermid Sustainability Page.

FEATURED INNOVATIONS

Featured Innovations

• Lux Platemaking Process
• Lava Thermal Processing
• Analog Sheet
• Digital Sheet
• Liquid Photopolymer