Thermostar: A New Thermal Litho Printing Plate Technology for CTP Recording

In this paper the most recent evolutions into litho printing plate technology for computer-to-plate imaging are briefly discussed with emphasis on the recent market interest in thermal plate technology. A new thermal plate technology, called Thermostar, is introduced and discussed (plate construction, basic working principles). Subsequently, the performance of this plate is analyzed in detail (sensitivity, image quality, run length capability, etc.). The paper concludes with some considerations about the future of litho (plate) technology.