Occasionally there are developments within this industry, often referred to as disruptive technology, that have the potential for fundamentally changing the market. The arrival of thermally imaged non-ablative CtP plates that came to market in 1995 is an example of such a disruptive technology. I have just come across another such disruptive technology that could have a similar impact to that of thermal CtP in changing the industry.

A new company, J P Imaging (JPI), formed by three highly experienced and respected graphic arts executives who have announced their Miracle Plate technology. The first thing I must say is that this is a technology and at this time is not a product. JPI has spent several years of research and collaboration with leading universities and with partial funding from the UK Government. It has just sought patent applications protection for a method of laser exposure on uncoated standard grained aluminum that allows uncoated aluminum to switch from its normal hydrophobic state into a hydrophilic state. The technology is described in complete detail in patents GB 0816697.7 and GB 0910791.3.

What potentially does this mean? The Miracle Plate technology has demonstrated a unique concept – that of switching an uncoated litho ‘blank’ plate from hydrophobic to hydrophilic. No coating is necessary, likewise no processor nor processing chemicals are required, therefore meaning potentially huge financial and environmental savings to the printing industry. The technology could potentially be used in one of three ways: