Three areas of application of CTP technology in printing enterprises

The technical level of CTP technology application is the most basic and the most professional. First, we must understand that the main cost of printed film depends on the price of silver. In recent years, silver has soared from $ 10 / ounce to $ 48 / ounce. However, the price of CTP plate material has been reversed in the past two years, and the price is almost at the waist. Why is the price trend of CTP plates and printing films completely opposite? The main reason is that the supply market of CTP plates is becoming increasingly competitive.

Secondly, we have to consider violet laser and infrared thermal, both technologies have their own advantages. Packaging and commercial printing users prefer the thermal CTP system; users of large-format packaging and printing only have the thermal CTP system available; users who focus on book printing or commercial rotary printing can consider the purple laser CTP system. In terms of performance, the purple laser plate has more advantages; users of newspaper printing suggest to choose the purple laser CTP system. The platform-type purple laser CTP system provides a solid production guarantee for newspaper printing in terms of speed and stability.

Finally, we have to consider how to configure. CTP is no longer a single hardware device. It is synonymous with a system, including direct plate-making machine, digital workflow, CTP plates and digital proofing. The current mainstream workflow is based on the "server-client" model, and the bottom layer is supported by a database. The software functions are modular, allowing users to select only the functions they need, and subsequent systems are easy to expand platforms or add functions. Typical The digital workflow can include the following functions: PDF conversion, screen technology, curve management, output device support, imposition technology, trapping technology, CID font, printing compensation, color management, ink saving technology, digital proofing, network printing interface, CIP3 / CIP4.

2. Tactical level

Using CTP to solve two problems, the first is the quality control of CTP plate making. Compared with the traditional photo-discharge film and film printing process, the quality control of CTP plate making makes people feel relaxed and happy, as long as it is done according to the sensitivity of the plate The laser setting of the plate-making machine and the regular maintenance of the plate-making machine according to the requirements are 50% successful. The other 50% is the setting of three types of calibration curves for the linearization curve of the plate material, the dot increase curve, and the printing simulation curve in the digital workflow. In order to accurately control the quality of plate-making, a dot density meter and a printed product density meter are necessary. Advanced density meters can integrate the dot measurement of a printing plate and the dot and density measurement of a printed product. For some processing systems, it is also necessary to monitor the conductivity and pH of the developer.

Second is the cost control of CTP plate making. Finally, the green CTP, the so-called environmentally friendly CTP plate is a plate that has significantly improved compared with the traditional CTP plate in the discharge of waste liquid and the consumption of water resources. But for printing, environmental protection is not the most important. The printing suitability of the plate, that is, whether it is suitable for printing and whether the cost of use is low enough is the most important. If these two problems are solved, the environmentally friendly plate is also It can be used when it is used. If it is fully compatible with the existing system, the green CTP is "ready." This expectation is not far away. At least in the application of newspaper printing, Agfa's violet laser chemical-free plate fully meets the above requirements and is popularized globally. There are also many major newspapers in China that switch the production of newspapers to environmentally friendly plates Plate making.

3. Strategic level

At the strategic level, we briefly discuss the development trend of the printing market and the impact of national policies and economic situation on the development pattern of printing companies. China's latest printing industry "Twelfth Five-Year Plan" pointed out that during the "Twelfth Five-Year" period, the growth rate of China's printing industry's total output value and the national economic development have basically kept pace with the annual growth rate of 7%. By the end of the "Twelfth Five-Year Plan" period, the total output value of China's printing industry is expected to exceed 980 billion yuan, almost double the current output value. The popularity of electronic media will lead to a slow increase in the circulation of books and periodicals, which will eventually lead to a surplus of printing capacity for books and periodicals. The packaging field and the high value-added variable data printing field will grow rapidly. Therefore, when planning ahead, printing companies should focus on rapidly developing business types when updating equipment and adjusting industries.

Secondly, face the changes in the printing industry under a highly competitive landscape. ①The increase in production costs has caused the printing industry to become a low-profit industry. In the past few years, the prices of production materials such as water, electricity and gas have been adjusted upwards many times, and the expectation and room for price increases still exist. ②The increase in labor costs brought about by the wage doubling plan in the next five years will further challenge the profitability of the enterprise. The enterprise will be in an embarrassing situation where wages are not profitable and workers cannot be recruited without increasing wages. ③ The continued appreciation of the RMB will have a negative impact on the external printing business. ④The changes in the printing business structure and the slowdown in the growth trend have led to an increase in the pattern of overcapacity in China's printing industry. At the same time, in order to win orders, companies are forced to lower printing fees and relax payment terms. Many micro and small printing companies have difficulty obtaining loans. Even if they obtain loans from banks and get acceptance bills, their use cost is very high. Breaking the capital chain is a common feature of corporate failures. Like other small and medium-sized enterprises across the country, some printing companies are also accumulating this risk in the deteriorating business environment. ⑤ The state encourages the reorganization and listing of publishing and media companies, which means that books, publishing, printing and other resources will be highly integrated by region. In the next five years, large publishing and media groups will gradually monopolize the printing and publishing business in each region.

With the industry's low profit, enterprise mergers and reorganizations, and the increasingly fierce competition, only by introducing advanced technology in a timely manner can it be possible to make the company bigger and stronger, and survive in the market environment. Today, the introduction and use of CTP technology is laid for the future development of enterprises basis.