Opting for CTP

There are dozens of thermal plate materials on the market, the most widely used being Kodak Polychrome—but there are alternatives. Printing Developments, Inc. manufactures bi-metal printing plates that feature copper-over-aluminum construction. The company says its Prisma CTP plate is gaining popularity in packaging applications due to its durability—the ability to deliver long runs while withstanding harsh substrates (such as carton board) and aggressive UV and EB inks.