CHICAGO, September 9 — Now available worldwide, Kodak’s new non process plate helps drive efficiency, lower costs and improve overall profitability by eliminating traditional plate processing. Removal of the processing stage shortens the platemaking cycle, reduces time to press and increases production throughput possibilities. The KODAK THERMAL DIRECT Non Process Plate is the industry’s only non process plate featuring a traditional grained and anodized aluminum substrate, creating a true "drop in" plate product with the familiar look and feel of a pre-sensitized aluminum plate. Based on fourth generation thermal technology, the new plate doesn’t require the use of a processor or modifications to imaging devices or the press. In addition, THERMAL DIRECT plates are compatible with all popular thermal CtP imagers and a wide range of inks and fountain solutions. “THERMAL DIRECT plates bring the resolution and imaging accuracy of thermal, digital plates to printers without the time and money required to install, manage, and maintain a traditional wet chemical plate processing system,” said Doug Edwards, general manager and vice president, prepress consumables, Kodak’s Graphic Communications Group. “Most importantly, the plates look, feel and handle just like traditional thermal plates, so THERMAL DIRECT plates are particularly easy to use.” THERMAL DIRECT plate applications include short and medium run presswork, 8-page and smaller sheetfed, narrow forms web and high resolution printing. The plate is particularly well-suited for locations with strict environmental disposal regulations, printers with limited physical space for processor and chemistry storage and for locations where processor plumbing cannot be installed. Capable of producing run lengths of up to 100,000 impressions under optimal press conditions, THERMAL DIRECT plates can hold 1 percent to 98 percent dots at 200 lines per inch. The plate features a proprietary, thermally-sensitive coating compatible with all popular thermal imagers without the need to install special debris removal attachments. A unique polymer resin permits the ultra thin coating—which is 70 percent thinner than photopolymer violet plates, and 38 percent thinner than typical processed thermal plates—to be dissolved by the press fountain solution and completely carried out of the press by the make-ready sheets. Kodak also reduced the coating colorant on THERMAL DIRECT plates. This virtually eliminates the potential for ink roller glazing but still produces an image of sufficient visibility to determine press cylinder placement for the plates. THERMAL DIRECT plates boast one hour white light handling and four hour yellow light handling. How it Works Using a write-the-image mechanism, thermal laser energy applied to the plate’s specially formulated, ultra-thin coating makes the imaged areas of the coating non-soluble in the press fountain solution. Once mounted on the press, fountain solution washes away coating in non-image areas. Ink tack pairs with the dissolved coating in the fountain solution to ensure that the coating transfers to the blanket and on to the first few make-ready sheets. These sheets carry the dissolving coating out of the press as the job quickly comes up to color and into register. “The unique coating technology in our THERMAL DIRECT plates virtually eliminates all the press contamination problems that have plagued develop-on-press technology,” said Edwards. “Thanks to this technology, THERMAL DIRECT plates give our customers another plate option to help them expand and enhance their business.” All-in-One Processless Package The KODAK THERMAL DIRECT plate is part of the KODAK All-in-One Processless Package, a complete 4-page Computer-to-Plate (CtP) prepress solution that also includes a MAGNUS 400 CtP imaging device and PRINERGY Evo PDF processor. All elements of the KODAK All-in-One Processless Package will be displayed at the Print 05 exhibition in booth #6707, September 9-15 at Chicago’s McCormick Place.