Processless Plate Case Study: A Print Shop in Canada
Last updated: October 2026
Quick answer: A print shop with a bookstore in Canada wanted an alternative supplier for processless plates without changing its thermal platesetter or press workflow. We matched our processless thermal CTP plate grade to their platesetter and sent sample plates. The plates ran fully on their own platesetter and press, and the shop has ordered from us every month since 2024.
Key takeaways
- The customer kept its existing thermal platesetter and press; only the plate supplier changed.
- Our processless thermal plates replaced another manufacturer’s processless plate.
- Sample plates tested on the customer’s own platesetter and press were the deciding step.
- Result: the plates ran fully and the shop has placed regular monthly orders since 2024.
This case study describes a real customer. As with all our printing plate case studies, the customer stays anonymous: we do not publish its name, city or volumes. What we can share is the situation, what we did and the result, because the same path works for many small and mid-size print shops that already run processless plates.
Case at a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Customer | A print shop with a bookstore, in Canada |
| Previous plate | Another manufacturer’s processless plate |
| Equipment kept | Existing thermal platesetter and press, unchanged |
| Our product | Processless thermal CTP plates, made in our factory |
| How it was qualified | Grade matched to the platesetter; sample plates tested on the customer’s own platesetter and press |
| Result | Plates ran fully; regular orders every month since 2024 |
Customer profile
The customer is a print shop that also runs a bookstore, located in Canada. It images plates in-house on its own thermal platesetter and prints on its own press. It was already running processless plates, which need no plate processor or developer — plates go from the platesetter to the press.
For a print shop, that workflow is a real advantage: no chemistry to mix, no processor to clean and less space taken up. It also means the shop depends heavily on its plate supplier. If a plate does not image or clean up correctly on press, there is no processor setting to adjust; a failed plate simply stops the job.
The situation: an alternative processless plate supplier
The shop was using another manufacturer’s processless plate and wanted an alternative supplier. Its conditions were clear:
- Keep the existing thermal platesetter. No new equipment, no change of imaging workflow.
- Keep the press workflow. The plates had to start up and print on the same press, with the shop’s own start-up routine.
- No risk on live jobs. The new plate had to be proven before any order.
Print shops in this position usually raise the same concerns: a new processless plate may not clean up on press the same way, shipping from China is far for a small shop, and “our current plates already work.” All of these are reasonable. The answer is not a promise — it is a controlled test on the customer’s own equipment.
What we did: matched grade and sample plates
- Collected the setup. To match a grade we work from the platesetter type, plate size and gauge, the press and the inks a shop runs. Processless thermal plates image at 830 nm, like other thermal plates, so the key questions were the platesetter’s exposure range and the plate format.
- Matched the processless grade. We matched our processless thermal CTP plate grade to their platesetter and shared the grade TDS. Our processless plate is negative-working and develops on press, so no processor or developer is needed.
- Sent sample plates. We sent sample plates so the shop could test them exactly as it would use production plates.
- The customer tested on its own equipment. The shop imaged the sample plates on its own thermal platesetter and ran them on its own press. Our plate test protocol describes the same steps: exposure test, image check, on-press start-up and a controlled press run.
The result: plates ran fully, monthly orders since 2024
The sample plates ran fully on the customer’s platesetter and press. After the test, the shop moved to our processless thermal plates and has ordered from us regularly, every month, since 2024. Its platesetter and press workflow did not change; only the plate supplier did.
For us, the regular monthly orders are the most meaningful result. A print shop that depends on processless plates only keeps ordering from a supplier whose plates run reliably, batch after batch.
What this means for print shops considering processless plates
If you already run processless plates, or you are thinking of moving to them, this case shows a low-risk path:
| Question | What to do | Where to read more |
|---|---|---|
| Will a new processless plate run on my platesetter? | Send your platesetter type, plate size and gauge; ask for the matched grade and its TDS | CTP compatibility guide |
| How do I avoid risk on live jobs? | Test sample plates on your own platesetter and press before ordering | Trial plates |
| How do I start up processless plates on press? | Follow a step-by-step dampening and inking start-up sequence | Processless plate start-up guide |
| How do I switch supplier without downtime? | Stage the switch and keep current stock until the new plate is approved | How to switch CTP plate supplier |
A few practical points from our side:
- Gauges. Offset plates are typically 0.15, 0.20, 0.25 or 0.30 mm; tell us the gauge your press uses.
- Sizes. Plates are cut to your platesetter and press format; see custom plate sizes.
- UV inks. Our processless plate can run UV inks — run a trial first. For the longest baked UV runs, a double-layer thermal CTP plate is the better choice.
- Run length and shelf life. See the grade TDS and its test conditions; we do not quote a generic figure.
- Storage. Keep plates in the original packing, away from light, heat and humidity; see the plate storage guide.
Printers and dealers in the USA and Canada can find more about supply, sizes and shipping on our North America market page.
FAQ
Can I switch processless plate supplier without changing my platesetter?
In this case, yes: the print shop in Canada kept its existing thermal platesetter and press, and only the plate supplier changed. We match our processless thermal grade to your platesetter, and sample plates confirm the fit before you order.
Do processless plates need a plate processor or developer?
No. Our processless thermal plates are imaged at 830 nm and develop on press, so no plate processor, developer or gum section is needed. Follow a correct on-press start-up sequence.
How do I test processless plates from a new supplier?
Request sample plates in your size and gauge, image them on your own platesetter, then start them up and run them on your own press. Our plate test protocol lists the checks step by step.
Can processless plates run UV inks?
Our processless plate can run UV inks; we recommend a trial first. For the longest baked UV runs, a double-layer thermal CTP plate is the better choice.
How often does the Canadian print shop order processless plates?
The shop has ordered our processless thermal plates regularly, every month, since 2024. We do not publish its volumes.
Running processless plates and want a second supplier? Request a quote — send your platesetter type, plate size, gauge, press and monthly usage. Or request trial plates / contact us.
Disclaimer: values on this page are typical and for reference only; final specifications, MOQ, price and lead time are subject to the grade TDS and the quotation.
