Toyobo Printight® makes customers of this system possible to use ordinary water for washout.
Transparent polyester film as a support material gives excellent dimensional stability and easy processability to printing machines. Steel base plates are also available.
Has slip coat to get good contact between the plate and the negative film. You can use plain negative film.
1. Water‑Wash VS Solvent‑Wash Plate‑Making Process Comparison
Image requirement:Upload flow‑chart diagram for both workflows
表格
| Item | Water‑Wash Polyester Letterpress Plate (Our) | Traditional Solvent‑Wash Photopolymer Plate |
|---|---|---|
| Developing medium | Ordinary warm water (30‑38℃) | Organic solvent (alcohol / hydrocarbon solvent) |
| Main workflow | Back exposure → Main exposure → Water washout → Drying → Post‑exposure & de‑tack | Back exposure → Main exposure → Solvent washout → Solvent rinse → Drying → Post‑exposure |
| VOC emission | Very low, eco‑friendly | High VOC, harmful solvent fumes |
| Operator safety | Safe, no strong chemical fumes | Need respirator & chemical resistant gloves |
| Waste disposal | Waste water simple filtration treatment | Hazardous chemical waste, high disposal cost |
| Drying duration | 10‑18 min (hot‑air dryer) | 3‑8 min faster drying |
| Suitable run length | Short‑medium run letterpress / form printing | Medium‑long heavy‑duty production |
Core Technical Parameter(Resolution & Line Screen)
表格
| Test Item | Specification | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Spectral sensitivity | 300‑400 nm UV‑A lightsinkotech.... | UV exposure lamp required |
| Resolving capability | 150‑200 LPI(lines/inch)sinkotech.... | Halftone dot reproduction |
| Minimum dot diameter | 0.10 mm | Isolated dot performance |
| Minimum line width | 0.03 mm | Fine text & rule linessinkotech.... |
| Thickness tolerance | ±0.010 mm (polyester base)±0.015 mm (steel base)sinkotech.... | Steel‑base option available |
| Dot reproduction rate | 92‑96% @150LPI 50% dot | Tested with standard negative film |
Image requirement:Upload dot‑gain test sample photo: side‑by‑side old degraded plate VS new Ceres water‑wash plate halftone & fine‑line sample.
2. Compatible Exposure / Washout Processor Look‑up Table
表格
| Equipment Type | Model Reference | Compatibility | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water‑wash photopolymer platemaker | Toyobo Printight series processor | ✅ Fully compatible | Direct setting for polyester water‑wash plate |
| General letterpress exposure unit | UV‑A 300‑400nm vacuum exposure frame | ✅ Compatible | Vacuum film required for good contact |
| Universal water washout processor | Boxcar, Platemaker series | ✅ Compatible | Water temperature keep 30‑38℃ |
| Solvent‑only washout machine | Old‑type solvent photopolymer processor | ❌ Not suitable | Cannot run water‑wash plates |
| CTP digital platemaker | Letterpress‑CTP without chemical solvent | ⚠️ Conditional | Need confirm plate thickness & light‑sensitivity parameter |
Important tip:Use high‑density negative film (OD≥3.0); poor‑quality film will cause dot distortion.
3. Storage Condition & Shelf‑life Instruction(Unexposed Raw Plate)
- Storage Environment: Store in complete light‑proof black bag/carton; temperature 18‑24℃, relative humidity 50‑60% RH.
- Forbidden: Direct sunlight, UV‑light radiation, heat source, high‑humidity damp warehouse, freezing environment.
- Place plates flat, do not bend or stack heavy weight on top to avoid permanent deformation.
- Shelf‑life for unexposed raw plate: 12 months from manufacturing date (mark on outer carton).
- Post‑exposed finished printing plate: Store light‑proof, 45‑65%RH; service life depends on printing run & cleaning maintenance.
Warning: Once raw plate receives accidental UV‑light leak, sensitivity will drop and plate cannot be used.
4. Real‑shot Image Requirement(≥5 real‑shot photos + package photos)
Upload minimum 6 watermark‑free photos in product gallery:
- Raw plate full‑sheet view: yellow/black water‑wash polyester letter‑press plate
- Side‑section close‑up: polyester base + photopolymer relief layer cross‑section
- Relief‑surface close‑up: fine‑line & halftone dot relief after washout
- Old‑vs‑new comparison photo: worn old plate side‑by‑side with new finished plate
- Printed test sample: halftone & small‑text letterpress print sample
- Original light‑proof packaging: black light‑proof bag + export carton packing view
5. FAQ
Q1: What is MOQ? A: MOQ is 1 piece/sheet. Custom size supported, small‑sample sheet available. Supply ability:3000 pcs per day.
Q2: What is lead‑time? A: Standard stock sizes: within 3 working‑days after payment confirmed. Custom special dimension: extra 5‑8 working‑days.
Q3: Customization capability? A: Yes. Support custom sheet dimension, polyester‑base or steel‑base substrate. Please provide your required width × height & base‑material requirement.
Q4: Available shipping options? A: Small parcel: DHL / UPS / TNT / FEDEX. Bulk order: sea freight. Plates packed in light‑proof carton; avoid heavy squeeze during transit. Not classified as dangerous goods.
Q5: Plate cannot wash‑out clean, residual polymer left on surface? A: Check UV exposure time (over‑exposure causes hard‑to‑wash residue); raise wash‑water temperature to 32‑38℃; extend washout cycle time; check brush pressure of washout machine.
Q6: Fine dots / thin lines broken after washing? A: Under‑exposure; reduce wash‑water temperature; shorten wash‑out time; check negative film density.
Q7: Can I use old solvent‑type washout machine for this water‑wash plate? A: No. This plate requires pure warm‑water developing; solvent‑based equipment is not compatible.
Q8: What negative film requirement? A: Ordinary negative film, optical density OD≥3.0; good vacuum contact between film and plate surface is essential for sharp reproduction.
6. Competitive Comparison Table (Highlight Ceres Water‑Wash Polyester Plate Advantages)
表格
| Comparison Item | Ceres Water‑Wash Polyester Letterpress Plate | Domestic solvent‑wash photopolymer plate | Import Toyobo Printight water‑wash plate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Developing reagent | Pure warm‑water, zero organic solvent | Organic solvent developing | Pure warm‑water |
| Resolution | 150‑200 LPI | 133‑175 LPI | 150‑200 LPI |
| Substrate | Polyester film base; steel‑base optional | Mostly polyester base | Polyester / steel‑base optional |
| Operator safety & VOC | Low‑VOC, worker‑friendly | High solvent‑fume risk | Low‑VOC safe workflow |
| Waste‑processing cost | Low (water filtration only) | High hazardous‑waste disposal cost | Low |
| MOQ | 1 sheet | 5‑10 sheets | 5 sheets minimum |
| Lead‑time | 3‑7 working‑days stock sizes | 5‑10 days | 4‑6 weeks import lead‑time |
| Price level | Competitive factory direct price | Mid‑low cost | High import premium price |
| Core Advantage | Water‑wash eco‑friendly, small‑order acceptable, custom‑size flexible, compatible with Printight workflow | Low purchase price, but solvent‑handling burden | Top‑tier original quality, long procurement cycle |
7. Customer Cases & Feedback
Case 1｜Southeast‑Asia form‑printing workshop Application: Business form & label letterpress printing, replace old solvent‑wash plates. Feedback: Work perfectly with existing water‑wash exposure/wash‑out unit; fine text and halftone dots reproduce well; eliminate solvent odor in workshop, waste‑processing cost reduced.
Case 2｜Latin‑America letterpress studio & printing house Application: Artwork & invitation card letterpress printing; first trial by small custom‑size sheets. Feedback: Dimensional stability good, compatible with ordinary negative film; fast delivery for custom dimension.
Customer Testimonials: ✅ Eco‑friendly water‑wash developing, great fine‑line & halftone reproduction for letterpress. ✅ Direct substitute for Printight workflow, flexible custom‑size service, small‑order available.
Remarks: Real‑printed test samples and technical datasheet can be sent upon sales request.
| Spectral sensitivity | 300–400nm |
|---|---|
Thickness tolerance | ±0.010mm(Film base) ±0.015mm(Metal base) |
| Resolving capability | 150–200 lines/inch |
| Minimum dot image | 0.10mm in diameter (0.004") |
| Minimum line image | 0.03mm in width (0.0011") |
