We are having plate blinding or image wear on our plates after five thousand impressions. When we examine the plates, the image is missing. What would cause the image to wear prematurely?

Your platesetter could be under exposing the plates. If the plate processor does not develop the plate properly, the image will wear off prematurely. Use a target like the PIA plate target and check to see if you have any 1, 2, or 5% screen dots on the plate. The plate processor should be cleaned and the brushes checked for wear and proper pressures. The developer replenish rate and temperature should also be checked. Are any new washes/solvents being used in the pressroom? Some solvents may not be compatible with some plates and could weaken or dissolve the image on the plate.