CTcP Machine (UV Platesetter)
Last updated: October 2026
Quick answer: A CTcP machine — UV platesetter — images conventional UV plates digitally, at 400–410 nm. It is the film-free upgrade for shops whose UV exposure line still has life: keep the chemistry and plate family, drop the film. CTPPress CTcP machines are supplied with our partner factories and quoted as a complete line with our CTcP plates.
Key takeaways
- A CTcP machine (UV platesetter) writes the image directly onto conventional UV plates — no film.
- It suits shops whose UV plate line, chemistry and operators are already in place; thermal (830 nm) platesetters suit new installations.
- CTcP machines are supplied with our partner factories; the CTcP plates and processors in the line are made in our own factory.
- Format, throughput, resolution and RIP integration decide the configuration and price.
- Freight, installation, training, lead time and price are confirmed in the quotation.
What is a CTcP machine?
A CTcP machine replaces the film step in a UV plate workflow: a diode array writes the image directly onto the plate at 400–410 nm, the plate develops in the developer you already use, and the press sees the same plate family as before. Nothing else in the plate room has to change.
The buyers who call us usually say something like: “my UV exposure line works, but film is killing us” — film cost, film processing, dust, scratches and registration errors. What they want is digital plates on existing UV equipment and chemistry. A CTcP machine does exactly that: the film, the film processor and the exposure frame step go, while your PS-type developer and plate handling stay.
UV vs thermal platesetters
Thermal machines (830 nm) dominate new installations for resolution and daylight handling; UV machines win where the shop’s investment, chemistry and operator habits already live in the UV world. Buyers sometimes assume UV machines are no longer supported, or are unsupported legacy — in practice UV platesetters remain a supported, film-free path for many shops, and the decision should come from your existing line, not from fashion. If you have no platesetter yet, compare honestly: see our CTP machine overview and the plate implications on the CTcP plate page.
| Point of comparison | CTcP (UV) platesetter | Thermal platesetter |
|---|---|---|
| Imaging wavelength | UV, approx. 400–410 nm | Infrared, 830 nm |
| Plates | Conventional UV / CTcP plates | Thermal CTP plates, incl. processless |
| Plate handling | Yellow safelight | Normal room light |
| Chemistry | PS-type developer you already use | Thermal developer or processless |
| Best fit | Shops with a working UV plate line | New installations |
Configuration
Format (typically the 8-up class for commercial work), throughput at your plate size and resolution, and RIP integration decide the price. The configuration is quoted complete — partner-supplied CTcP machine and RIP, our processor and plate settings, and installation — so one supplier answers for the line. Before shipment, the line can be checked with our CTcP plates on request. Freight, installation and training are scoped in the quotation.
What to send when you request a quote: maximum and minimum plate sizes, plates per hour you need at peak, the plate type and developer you use today, your RIP and workflow software, available floor space, and local power supply and voltage. MOQ, lead time and price are confirmed in the quotation.
Already running UV equipment and just need plates? Our CTcP plate page covers grades, exposure and trials. Ready to compare configurations? Request a quote.
FAQ
Will a CTcP machine run my current UV plates?
Yes — that is the point of the technology. Send your plate type and we confirm settings.
Is UV imaging quality below thermal?
For most commercial work the difference is marginal; thermal pulls ahead at the finest screens and in daylight handling.
Who makes the CTcP machine?
CTcP machines are supplied with our partner factories. We combine them with our own CTcP plates and processors and quote the line as one package.
Disclaimer: configurations and specifications are typical and for reference only; final specifications are subject to the quotation and vary by format.
