Lithographic Printing Plate

A lithographic printing plate, also known as a litho plate, is a thin sheet or plate made from a material that is sensitive to light. It is used in the lithographic printing process, which is a method of printing that involves the use of oil and water to create a printed image.

Lithographic printing plates are typically made from aluminum or a similar metal. The plate is coated with a photosensitive emulsion or a light-sensitive polymer. When exposed to light, the emulsion or polymer hardens in the areas that are exposed, while the unexposed areas remain soft and soluble.

After the plate is exposed to light, it is developed using a chemical solution that removes the unexposed areas of the emulsion or polymer. This creates a relief image on the plate, with the hardened areas raised above the surface of the plate.

In the printing process, the plate is mounted onto a printing press. The raised areas of the plate, which correspond to the image to be printed, are inked, while the non-image areas are kept free of ink. The plate is then pressed onto a rubber blanket, which transfers the inked image onto the paper or other printing substrate.

Lithographic printing plates are widely used in the printing industry for various applications, including commercial printing, packaging, and publishing. They offer high-quality and consistent printing results, making them a popular choice for many printing projects.