What Accessories does CTP Plate Making Need?
Dec 25, 2025
What Accessories does CTP Plate Making Need?
CTP is also known as Computer to Printing Plate,the laser image processing is the method of directly transferring digital artwork from a computer to a printing plate using high-precision laser from the diodes . Thermal CTP is the most popular in offset printing.To make the printing plate by CTP,what other accessories are needed?
Firstly , here are the CTP plate making processes:
The digital file undergoes several software and hardware steps before the laser touches the plate:
1. RIP (Raster Image Processing): Prepress software converts vector design files (like PDF or TIFF) into high-resolution raster bitmapped data that the laser can understand.
2. Screening: The software applies halftone dots to represent gradients and colors.
3. Laser Exposure: The CTP machine loads the plate (via internal drum, external drum, or flatbed systems) and fires laser beams to "etch" or modify the plate's coating based on the RIP data.
4. Plate Finishing:
1. Traditional: Plates are washed in chemical developers to remove unexposed areas by CTP Processor.
2. Process-Free (Modern): "process-free" plates or processless CTP plates that require no chemicals; once the laser images them, they go directly to the press.
Buyer needs to prepare before installation:
Customer should prepare tools:
Lift truck and driver: to unload the machine, truck fork should be 1.5Ton or above capacity, 1.2m or longer arm;
CTP working environment:
Temperature: 15℃-30℃ (an air-conditioner is recommended)
Humidity: RH10%-70%, Non-condensing
Atmosphere: No smoke, No corrosive gases, Ash<0.1mg/M3.
Lighting: Natural illumination, no direct sunlight
Floor: The floor should bear the pressure of 500kg/m2. Anti-static floor or tile floor.
Ventilation: natural ventilation
Thermometer and hygrometer (pointer type or digital type) should be kept in the center of the room.
Power supply:
CTP Ecoosetter Series: single phase, independently grounded, less than 3Ω; 50/60Hz, 4KVA.
If the local power supply is not stable, an online uninterrupted power supply(UPS) unit is required, and the battery should be able to sustain at least 5 minute alone.
Other equipment customer should prepare:
2 sets Computers: one computer is required to control the CTP. Configuration: I3 or above, 500G or above, Windows 7/8/10, English operation system (US); The other one is for RIP.
Air Compressor : separated air-compressor or central air. ≥0.8Mpa, ≥175L/min. If separated air-compressor, the air tank should be ≥30L.
CTP Processor
Plate and Developer chemicals
Plate dot measurement tools Densitometer (Replate or IC plate)
RIP and Workflow
RIP: customer should have workflow to generate 1-bit-tiff file. Ecoosetter CTP has program to receive 1-bit-tiff file.
EcooGraphix provide All In One solution and service, with hundreds of CTPs worldwide.
