Recommendations for Direct to Plate

We are looking to purchase a direct to plate system and wonder what others would recommend for an entry level unit?
Thanks,
Thomas

 

There are multiple options and price points. It really depends on what your needs are, things to consider are:

Laser plate systems - basically some form of a laser printer or copier that laser images toner to a polyester plate fused to the plate by heat. Can produce plates up to 120 to 133 line screens and run lengths from a couple of thousand to 10,000 depending on the plate brand, printer used, settings, etc. This is one of the lowest cost plate systems in terms of cost per plate and equipment costs. Plate sizes range up to about 13"x19.375"

Inkjet plates - new in the last 5 years or so with several manufacturers producing polyester and metal plate systems using Epson inks and printers. I have heard good and bad about these, and personally knew one printer friend who loved them running 4 color work on a Ryobi 3304, seen it myself in his shop and the results were impressive. Higher cost per plate and depending on the printer/rip used about the same or more equipment cost as laser plates

Traditional CTP polyester plates - plates imaged by capstan or drum machines off a roll by laser up to about 3600 dpi & 175 lpi, multiple manufactures selling similar systems, some use different lasers than others, invisible, visible red, etc. Most are very good quality, but more costly upfront, low plate cost. Some available for 4 up formats. Registration is excellent of drum machines, + excellent 4 color plates.

Traditional Metal CTP - the most expensive in both plate cost and equipment, best quality plates generally, more latitude on press, much longer run lengths, etc. Uses lasers like above system, some are more eco friendly as using only water washes vs. chemistry to process