Detailed explanation of Kodak Tengger Sonora XP / News printing plate

What is a no-rinse printing plate?

A no-rinse printing plate, like the Tengger Sonora XP or Sonora News, allows direct printing on the press without the need for chemical development or traditional plate-making equipment. These plates are pre-processed and require only two steps to be ready for printing. This makes them ideal for fast, efficient, and eco-friendly production.

Benefits of Using No-Rinse Plates:

- Lower operational costs by eliminating the need for chemical solutions and processing machines. - Reduced environmental impact due to fewer chemicals used and less waste generated. - Less maintenance required for plate washers, saving time and effort. - Simplified plate-making process, reducing complexity in prepress workflows. - Improved efficiency and better control over the printing process. - Enhanced sustainability, making your printing operation more eco-conscious.

In terms of print quality, Tengger Sonora XP and Sonora News plates perform just as well as traditional thermal CTP plates, ensuring high-quality results without the need for chemical development.

Prepress Performance:

The Sonora XP / News printing plate is a negative-working plate, meaning it’s exposed with an image that appears in reverse. Since there's no ablation during imaging, there’s no debris to worry about, which simplifies the workflow and reduces cleanup.

Imaging Capabilities:

These plates are compatible with most modern CTP systems and can be imaged quickly for maximum productivity. For example: - 150 Mj/cm² on Kodak plate-setters using formula-shaped spot technology. - 175 Mj/cm² on Kodak Achieve plate-setters. - 150–210 Mj/cm² depending on the third-party system, configuration, and resolution.

Printing Quality:

The Sonora XP / News plate delivers excellent performance with a 1–99% dot range at 200 lpi, along with a 20-micron Fangjiajia screen (on Kodak plate-setters using formula-shaped light spots). It works seamlessly on various Heidelberg Suprasetter and Topsetter models, as well as Japanese plate-setters.

Kodak Prepress Compatibility:

Tengger Sonora XP / News plates are fully compatible with most automatic plate-loading devices, making integration into existing workflows straightforward.

Installation on the Press:

Installing the Sonora plate is similar to any other printing plate. It works with both manual and automated systems. The strong image contrast allows for easy identification of the drum, even with small font sizes like 10pt.

Press Startup Process:

During startup, dampening fluid and ink are applied to the entire plate. The fountain solution helps remove the non-image areas physically, while the ink transfers the unimaged coating to the blanket through shear force and viscosity. This physical transfer ensures compatibility with a wide range of inks and fountain solutions, without the need for chemical reactions.

Once the first few sheets are printed, the coating is transferred to the paper, leaving the press clean after 5–10 sheets. The pre-print time is comparable to or slightly shorter than that of traditional wet plates, and registration and color adjustments remain standard.

Storage Conditions:

To maintain optimal performance, both storage and prepress areas should be controlled. Ideal conditions include: - Temperature: 20–25°C - Humidity: 30–70% RH - Lighting: 1 hour of white light, 8 hours of UV isolation, and 24 hours of yellow light exposure.

Expanding the Use of Tengger Plates:

Start with jobs that don’t require color correction to test compatibility with your existing press. If everything works smoothly, create a color optimization curve for typical jobs to enhance color accuracy. Kodak can help set up custom profiles based on your specific paper, inks, and press setup.

It’s recommended to begin with short-run jobs to build confidence in the plate’s performance. As experience grows, gradually expand to more complex jobs like UV or FM screening. With time, users will discover that Sonora offers print-free quality equal to traditional thermal CTP plates, with added benefits in cost and sustainability.

Potential Challenges and Solutions:

- Adapting to new workflows: Setting up a color optimization curve is a one-time task, and the plate performance remains consistent across batches. - Plate handling: Simple measures like storing plates in boxes or using backing paper prevent damage. - No need for process control checks: Since there’s no rinsing, no inspection is needed after imaging. - Addressing concerns: Sonora plates do not contaminate the press, as the emulsion layer is removed during the initial print run. - Comparing with competitors: Sonora outperforms other no-rinse or simple-rinse plates in yield, stability, and ease of use. - Resistance to change: Management support is key to transitioning to a no-rinse system, which offers long-term cost and environmental benefits.

In summary, the Tengger Sonora XP / News thermal CTP plate is a true no-rinse solution that requires only two steps to print directly on the press. It offers significant advantages including reduced costs, lower environmental impact, simplified operations, and high-quality output. Compared to other no-rinse plates, Sonora provides measurable benefits in performance, reliability, and sustainability. With experience, end users will quickly recognize the value of this innovative printing solution.

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