New CTP flexo and letterpress plates from Jet Europe

Jet Europe, specialists in printing plates and processing systems, has launched a program of CTP-LAMS photopolymer flexo and letterpress plates, which are said to offer improved highlight quality, reduced dot-gain, and improved plate durability.

The plates offer improved tonal gradation and high quality highlight reproduction thanks to both the plate material’s special bonding properties and its ultra-thin, semi-transparent ablation mask layer. The layer offers excellent elasticity and thus ideal handling properties, remaining crack-free when flexed.  

Also, the material is less affected by oxygen during exposure. This reduces shrinkage, which in turn results in more predictable dot results, especially in the highlight areas. Printers can thus work with lower ‘bump-up’ values, of between four and five percent. The plate offers excellent results in the tonal range, from 0.8 to 99 percent, and improved gradation, for example, for good halftone reproduction.

Both the inherent material qualities and the reduced influence of oxygen result in dots with better symmetry and smoother profiles. Not only does this give dots a more resilient structure, to withstand the rigours of high-speed printing and cleaning, but the chance of ink build-up is reduced also.

Suitable for all ink-types, the plates are available in 1.14 mm (HWD), and 1.70 mm (HD) thickness, and 900 x 1200 mm, 1067 mm x 1524 mm and 1270 mm x 2032 mm formats. Hardness values range from 68 to 70 shore A.