Printing Plate FAQ

Buyers tell us the same things about plate suppliers: we waited days for a simple answer, nobody told us the plate was not for UV inks, and warranty claims go in circles. This page gives straight answers before you order, so you know what the factory makes itself and where to check terms. “Websites never say the MOQ” is a fair complaint; we explain why it depends on your order and how it is confirmed. Each answer links to the page with the full detail.

How to use this page: the questions are grouped by stage, from the first quotation to after-sales support. Short answers give the rule; the linked pages give the detail, such as test methods, packing and grade choice. Where an answer depends on your order, for example MOQ, price, lead time or trial terms, we say so plainly and confirm it in the quotation instead of publishing a number that may not fit your sizes, grade or destination.

Ordering and quotation

What is the minimum order quantity for printing plates?

MOQ depends on the grade, sizes and how the order combines with shipping, so it is confirmed in the quotation. Tell us if you want to combine grades or sizes in one shipment and the quotation will reflect it.

How do I get a price for printing plates?

Send the plate type, your platesetter and processor, ink system, sizes and gauge, quantities and destination port through the quote request form. The CTP plate price guide explains the factors that move the price.

What is the lead time?

Lead time depends on grade, sizes, quantity and the production schedule, and it is confirmed in the quotation. Give us your required delivery date so we can plan production and freight around it.

Can newspaper printers get rolling orders and safety stock?

Yes. Newspaper customers can place rolling orders and we can plan safety stock so plates arrive before the shelf runs empty; quantities and schedule are agreed in the quotation. See newspaper printing plates.

Do you supply OEM or private label plates?

Yes. Dealers can buy offset and flexo plates in neutral or customer-branded packaging with TDS documentation; terms are confirmed per agreement. See OEM and private label plates and dealer supply.

Can you cut plates to custom sizes?

Yes. Plates are cut to your dimensions as standard, with punching to your press pattern if required. Send a drawing or a photo of a current plate; see custom plate sizes.

Samples and trials

Can I get trial plates before ordering?

Yes. Trial plates come from current production, cut to your size, so you can test them on your own press. Send your platesetter or imager model, ink system, plate size and gauge; trial quantity and terms are confirmed when you request trial plates.

How should I evaluate trial plates?

Run them with your own ink, paper and chemistry and record exposure, clean-out, dot reproduction, roll-up and run behaviour against a written method such as our plate test protocol. Keep the batch label of the plates you approve.

Will my volume order match the trial plates?

Volume orders are produced to the specification of the batch you approved, and every batch is tested and recorded before packing. See plate quality control and printing plate batch consistency.

Offset CTP plates

Which offset plates do you manufacture?

We manufacture single-layer and double-layer thermal CTP plates, processless thermal plates, single-layer CTcP plates, positive PS plates, violet photopolymer plates and polyester (paper-base) plates. See the printing plate range.

Do you supply negative PS plates or double-layer CTcP plates?

No, we do not supply negative PS plates or double-layer CTcP plates. We offer positive PS plates and single-layer CTcP plates, and for long or demanding runs a double-layer thermal plate.

Which printing plates are suitable for UV inks?

Single-layer thermal and CTcP plates are bakeable but not resistant to UV inks, even after baking. Processless plates can run UV inks after a trial, and for the longest baked UV runs a double-layer thermal plate is the usual choice.

What gauges and sizes are available for offset plates?

Standard offset gauges are 0.15, 0.20, 0.25 and 0.30 mm, and plates are cut to your press size. The plate size chart lists common press sizes.

What run length and shelf life do your plates have?

Run length and shelf life depend on the grade, ink, paper, press and storage, so we state them in the grade TDS with their test conditions rather than as bare numbers. Ask for the TDS of the grade you are considering, and confirm the figures on your own press with trial plates.

Will your CTP plates work on my platesetter?

Thermal plates suit 830 nm thermal platesetters, CTcP plates suit UV platesetters and violet plates suit violet platesetters; exposure is then set with a test. Check the CTP compatibility matrix or send us your model.

Do you sell aluminium substrate for plate making?

Yes. We supply rolled aluminium plate substrate in coil or sheet; it is not grained or anodised, as graining, anodising and coating are done on the buyer’s plate line. See aluminium plate substrates.

Flexo plates

Which flexo plates do you manufacture?

We manufacture analog and digital (LAMS) flexo plates in solvent, water-wash and thermal-processing versions, plus corrugated grades. See the flexo plate range.

What thicknesses are flexo plates available in?

Standard flexo gauges are 1.14, 1.70, 2.28, 2.84, 3.94 and 6.35 mm. The flexo plate thickness guide explains which gauge suits labels, flexible packaging and corrugated work.

Can water-wash flexo plates be used with UV inks?

No. Water-wash flexo plates are not intended for UV inks. Tell us your ink system and application, and we will recommend a grade that suits the work. For UV inks we recommend a UV-resistant solvent-washout plate; our water-wash plates are not for UV inks.

Can you supply sleeves, mounting tape and anilox rolls?

Yes, we can also supply sleeves, mounting tape and anilox rolls together with flexo plates; we do not manufacture them. Include sizes and specifications in your quote request so the accessories ship together with the plates in one consignment.

Machines and equipment

Do you manufacture CTP platesetters?

No. CTP platesetters (thermal, UV/CTcP, violet and large-format) and flexo imagers are supplied with our partner factories. We manufacture plate processors, baking ovens, plate punches and plate benders; see CTP machines and plate processors.

Do you sell used CTP machines?

No, we supply new machines only, with installation support, warranty and spare parts from the same channel. The guide to new vs used CTP machines explains where each option makes sense.

Do plate punches and benders need compressed air?

Yes. Our plate punches and benders are pneumatic and need a compressed air supply. Punch dies can be made for your press model and benders are set per press model; see plate punch machines.

Is installation included with machines?

Installation, RIP integration and acceptance testing are arranged per order, on-site or remotely, and the terms are stated in the quotation. The machine installation checklist helps you prepare the site.

Chemicals

Which printing chemicals do you supply?

We manufacture CTP and PS developer; plate cleaner, baking gum and plate gum are supplied with our partner factories. See printing chemicals.

Can you provide an SDS for plate cleaner?

Yes, an SDS for plate cleaner can be provided. Mention it in your quote request if your customs broker or site safety rules need it, and it will be prepared with the shipment documents.

Do I need to bake my plates?

Baking extends the run length of bakeable grades such as single-layer thermal and CTcP plates when a job needs it; the grade TDS states whether a plate can be baked and under which conditions. See printing plate baking and our plate baking ovens.

Shipping and packaging

How are printing plates and machines packed for export?

Offset plates are interleaved, boxed in export cartons and palletised; flexo plates pack flat in light-safe material. Machines ship in wooden export crates with desiccant and shock protection, and batch labels or serial plates travel with the goods for your incoming check.

What export documents do you provide?

We prepare a commercial invoice, packing list and certificate of origin for every shipment. Your customs broker confirms classification, duties and any additional documents your country requires, so ask them before the order rather than when the goods arrive.

Which delivery terms do you offer?

Delivery terms such as FOB or CIF, or as agreed, are stated per order, and freight can be quoted with the goods so you approve one landed price at your port. Destination charges and duties are confirmed by your customs broker, and the full packing and document details are on the shipping and packaging page.

After-sales and technical support

What warranty comes with printing plates and machines?

Plates are covered against manufacturing defects, judged against the TDS for your order, and machines carry a parts-and-service warranty from commissioning. Warranty periods and exclusions are confirmed in the quotation or contract.

How do I make a warranty claim?

Report in writing with the order number and a photo of the batch label or machine serial plate, describe the fault, and keep the remaining plates from that batch available. We check the batch records and reply in writing with the remedy.

How do I contact technical support?

Email Easypressgroup@gmail.com or WhatsApp +86 13852690368; questions go to the team behind production. See technical support and the CTP plate troubleshooting guide.

Do you supply spare parts for machines?

Yes, we supply spare parts for the machines we ship, during and after the warranty, together with remote diagnostics. Send the machine serial plate photo and the part description.

“The factory will not support small buyers” is a worry we hear often; questions get the same technical answer whatever your order size. Answers do not change after payment either, because commercial terms are written into the quotation and order documents.

Question not answered here? Request a quote — send your plate type, equipment, ink system, sizes and destination port. 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.