CTPPress Blog
Last updated: October 2026
Quick answer: Practical guides written by the CTPPress technical team — plate selection, equipment comparisons and troubleshooting, each connected to the products and test methods we use in production.
Key takeaways
- Guides are written by the team that manufactures offset and flexo plates, so each article points to real plate grades, not generic theory.
- Two tracks: selection and comparisons (which plate or machine fits your workflow) and troubleshooting and process (fixing CTP plate problems on press or in the plate room).
- Price guides explain what drives a quote for CTP plates and CTP machines before you ask for one.
- If an article does not answer your exact case, contact us with your platesetter, ink system and plate size.
A common complaint from purchasing managers is that technical articles never say which plate to actually buy. Plenty of blog content is generic SEO text written by people who have never coated a plate. These are guides written by people who make plates: manufacturer-written guides connect theory to real grades — single-layer, double-layer and processless thermal CTP plates, CTcP plates, PS plates and analog or digital (LAMS) flexo plates — and tell you what to check on your own press.
Selection and comparisons
- What is CTP printing? — computer-to-plate explained for buyers moving off film.
- Thermal vs UV (CTcP) plates — which imaging route fits your platesetter.
- CTcP plate making process — step by step from RIP to press, with key parameters and faults.
- CTP vs PS plates — when moving from film and PS plates to CTP pays off.
- Thermal vs violet CTP — plates, platesetters and darkroom needs compared.
- Positive vs negative plates — how each working mode images and which ones we supply.
- Processless plate start-up — moving to processless plates: platesetter, press start-up and the trade-offs.
- Analog vs digital flexo plates — LAMS imaging and when film still makes sense.
- Flexo vs offset plates — which process and plate suits your job.
- Solvent vs water-wash vs thermal flexo processing — plate room, ink and environmental trade-offs.
- Types of CTP plates — thermal, processless, CTcP, violet and polyester plates compared by workflow.
- Flexo plate price factors — what drives a flexo plate quote.
- CTP plate price factors and CTP machine price factors — what drives a quote before you ask for one.
Troubleshooting and process
- Plate scumming — causes and fixes for non-image areas taking ink.
- Flexo plate making process — exposure, washout and finishing step by step.
- Flexo plate swelling — matching resin to ink chemistry.
- CTP plate troubleshooting — a symptom-by-symptom checklist for common CTP plate problems.
- Flexo plate mounting — tape selection, registration and handling to protect plate life.
- Flexo plate cleaning and storage — washing after the run and storing plates flat, dark and cool.
- Printing plate baking — when to bake, how, and which plates can be baked.
- Flat-top vs round-top flexo dots — what dot shape changes on press.
- Flexo plate relief depth — typical relief by gauge and why it matters.
- Flexo dot gain — causes, measurement and control.
Machines and workflow
- 4-up vs 8-up CTP — choosing platesetter format for your presses.
- New vs used CTP machine — risks, support and total cost compared.
- CTP machine maintenance — daily, weekly and periodic care for platesetters.
- Flexo imager buying guide — what to check before buying a flexo CTP imager.
- CTP RIP workflow — from PDF to plate: preflight, screening and calibration.
Buying and supply
- Importing printing plates from China — trials, documents, packaging and shipping.
- Switching CTP plate supplier — a low-risk changeover plan.
- Printing plate batch consistency — how to check that every batch matches the approved one.
How to use these guides
| Your situation | Start with | What you will learn |
|---|---|---|
| Moving from film to computer-to-plate | What is CTP printing? | How CTP works and which plate types it uses |
| Choosing between a thermal and a UV platesetter | Thermal vs UV (CTcP) plates | Thermal vs UV CTP: imaging (830 nm thermal vs UV), plate handling and processing differences |
| Budgeting a plate or machine purchase | CTP plate price / CTP machine price factors | Which specifications move the price and what to send for an accurate quote |
| Seeing CTP plate problems on press | CTP plate troubleshooting | Typical causes in plate, chemistry and fountain solution, and the checks to run first |
| Setting up flexo plate making | Flexo plate making process | Exposure, washout, drying and finishing steps in order |
Upcoming guides
- Thermal vs UV (CTcP) plates, processless vs processed plates, analog vs digital flexo plates, plate scumming and flexo plate swelling — in preparation.
FAQ
What topics does the CTPPress blog cover?
The CTPPress blog covers plate selection and comparisons (CTP vs film, thermal vs UV CTP, processless vs processed, analog vs digital flexo), price factors for CTP plates and CTP machines, and troubleshooting and process guides for offset and flexo plate making. Each topic is linked to the plate grades and equipment we supply.
Can I ask a question that is not covered here?
Yes. Contact us with your platesetter or imager model, ink system and plate size, and our technical team will reply with a specific grade recommendation. For pricing, use Request a quote.
New here? Start with the offset plate and flexo plate ranges, or ask a question on the contact page.
Disclaimer: technical articles reflect typical general practice and are for reference only; settings for your specific grade are subject to its TDS.
