Toray Graphics unveils new waterless offset plate

Toray Graphics, a manufacturer of waterless offset plate technology based in the Czech Republic, has introduced a new waterless offset printing plate, Imprima LJ.

Print samples from the new Imprima LJ waterless offset printing plate

Toray described the new water-washable plate as having high quality and durability. Its printing resolution is up to 175 LPI.

The thermal negative CTP printing plate uses a standard imaging wavelength of 830 nanometers. It is suitable for label production but can also be used for a wide range of other applications, including CD/DVDs, loyalty cards, metal decoration and for printing on non-absorbent substrates. 

These plates are also suited to printers using UV curable inks as well as for sheet-fed and on web presses that require production quality such as density stability during the print run,’ said the company in a statement. ‘Its high resistance to chemicals and UV inks makes it an extremely durable plate. It also offers excellent screening at 1-99 percent with 36 micron FM or hybrid screening, and 2-98 percent with AM screening at 175 LPI.’

Since it is a water-washable plate, it requires no chemicals in the developing process, and can be processed in most available waterless processors. It also does not require post-baking. This makes it easy to insert into any offset workflow and results in low-cost processing. 

Other benefits of this new plate are said to include:

·     Stable dot reproduction
·     High ink coverage
·     Up to three hours daylight resistance under standard safe-light conditions
·     Long shelf life, suitable for archiving
·     Compatible with all waterless inks

Following this launch, Toray said ‘in the near term’ it will introduce a new plate type for other printing segments: the Imprima WJ high resolution and high durability water-washable plate.