Designed for offset printing applications, Tuff Stuff eliminates scratching and fingerprinting on offset plates

Applied Chemistries Inc., a leading developer of chemical products for the graphic arts industry based in Agawam, MA, introduces its new Tuff Stuff Scratch Resistant Metal Plate Finisher. Designed for offset printing applications, Tuff Stuff eliminates scratching and fingerprinting on all anodized aluminum offset plates. This newly-developed product creates a durable scratch-and-fingerprint resistant coating on the plate surface to protect it during pre-press and pressroom handling.  

"We developed Tuff Stuff to eliminate one of the most vexing and costly problems affecting printers today--plate handling scratches," says Brian St. Pierre, president of Applied Chemistries, Inc. "This problem is  a major cause of press stoppages and downtime for remakes. The cost in lost production time on press, in labor, and in material is substantial. Tracking down and eliminating the causes of plate handling scratches is time consuming and in many cases ineffective."

Tuff Stuff is a highly water soluble polymer that works with any existing plate processor and with all plate types, including thermal, violet and analog. It is a fully synthetic finishing agent that contains powerful biocides to prevent mold, algae and other growth in the processor. When applied as a finisher, it leaves a hard, abrasion resistant, micro-layer that penetrates into the grain of the plate thus sealing its surface with a highly-durable coating to prevent scratches and fingerprints. Tuff Stuff also acts as an oxygen barrier, preventing plate oxidation on all metal plates for up to one week. Due to its high water solubility, Tuff Stuff releases immediately on-press, dramatically improving   plate roll-up and achievement of stable color.

"We are thrilled with the results from Tuff Stuff," says one leading commercial shop. "On a typical shift with historical plate remake rates of 10% or more, we've reduced that number to less than 1% or non-existent with Tuff Stuff.  We're also finding a 40% reduction in roll-up time when Tuff Stuff is applied as the plate finisher. This contributes directly to higher press efficiency / uptime and significant reductions in paper spoilage due to make-ready waste. We are no longer losing material, stopping valuable press production time, and we  are optimizing our manufacturing process."

Printers will find that Tuff Stuff is easy to use and environmentally friendly. It simply replaces existing gum finishers and is a stable, non-reactive product that will not harm plate processing equipment. In fact, unlike traditional gum finisher, Tuff stuff will not gum up the processor and will not cause gum blinding on plates. Tuff Stuff is a green, sustainable alternative to traditional gum finisher. It contains no- VOC's, is non-hazardous and is biodegradable.

Tuff Stuff is available through Applied Chemistries and its distributors.

Applied Chemistries, Inc. is a leading developer of chemical products for the graphic arts industry. The company is located in Agawam, Massachusetts and can be reached at (877) 847-6236 or [email protected].  Please visit www.appliedchemistries.com/tuff_stuff.html for additional information.