Water less plates

HELLO Gentlemen is anyone out there using waterless plates would like to know the pros and cons thanks for any input Jack

 

I used to work with waterless offset -Heidelberg GTO DI- using Toray and Presstek plates. I believe cons outweigh the pros.

Cons:
1. Easily scratched and no deletion pen -there is a deletion pen with silicone but its life expectancy is quite short and expensive, so its cheaper to make a new plate- also hickeys can make a "hole" in the silicon coating -after a lot of impressions- and that spot become oleophilic.
2. Toning if you dont have plate cooling
3. No way to measure plates to check exposure from CtP/film
4. Only two companies that produce these kind of plates
5. Cost of material
6. Hand development may produce a lot of hickeys/possible scratches so its better to use a developer that uses 2 rotary brushes

Pros:
1. No need for gum
2. No need for plate cleaner

 

Jack, it would be helpful to explain a little more about what you are trying to do.

• Do you have a press set up for waterless printing?
  
• Or, just wanting to trial waterless printing on an existing press?
  
• What type of press?
• UV or Conventional inks?

Mantman has a good summary of waterless plates.

Toning is going to be the predominant issue, then scratches.
Best results are obtained when the press is in a room with controlled temperature & humidity.

 

Without roller cooling you will be very limited to run size. As the rollers turn, they build heat. Heat in rollers is NOT your friend when it comes to waterless printing.