QZ, photopolymer plates - Toyobo's next-generation polymers the answer to many problems in printing.
Flat top point - is the holy grail in flexography. The object of the search for the perfect tonal transition. Until its invention, it was oxygen inhibition that was considered salutary, because it oxidized the tops of the points. Minimal differences in height between the points and the aplase gave full opacity and fine point printing. Unfortunately, oxygen inhibition could not be boothardized, and this caused undesirable differences in printing.
Today there is a race for the flattest point, and polymer manufacturers achieve this effect using various techniques, such as laminating the plate or exposing it in a special gas. All these processes pass the test, but they complicate the whole process of printing plates production, raising their cost, as they require specialized equipment.
For many years, the QS and QZ plate from the Japanese company TOYOBO has been used for high-quality printing. Toyobo polymers - their development is driven by customer demands and rasterization technology. 200 lpi and platern hybrid rasters are already the boothard in many printers. However, not all plates can cope with large print runs with a "scattering" of small, free-boothing points in these rasters.
Japanese company TOYOBO has created a plate that prevents oxygen interference in the irradiation process, completely eliminating the effect of oxygen inhibition without unnecessary additional treatments.
Typical point vs. point the new QZ album
Cosmolight QZ, a polymer plate, a new-generation plate from Toyobo, makes it possible to achieve a stable and always the same base thickness, even when you have an imperfect exposure machine, such as one with large exposure energy spikes and power drops. At the same time, with the platerate sensitivity of the plate during backlighting, the top layer responsible for building point vertices is very sensitive. As a result, the point vertex is created very precisely, and the barrier that cuts off Toyobo polymers from oxygen interference makes it possible to obtain a perfectly flat point with sharp edges.
"At last it is possible to print with a very small point without fear of damage. The descent to 0% previously reserved for solvent plates has become achievable with eco-friendly water-based technology. Printing with hybrid rasters is no longer a challenge for this plate." - Tomasz Fiebich - Production Coordinator - NATALIA
The middle layer of polymer creates a very stable and strong base for the points. As a result, even the smallest rasters on the printing plate get a base and shape that allows stable printing at high volumes and speeds, without picking up ink, as we'll discuss in a moment.
The multilayer nature of the polymer structure means that we can get the smallest points in high lights on the plate, while maintaining a broad gradient in shadows.
The TOYOBO QZ flexo plate completely eliminates the problem that is the bane of many printers-acquisition of Printing inks by the die during printing and the need to rinse it during operation. The mix of ingredients used in the construction of the photo-polymer is responsible for eliminating this problem.
"Printers have no problem with die cleanliness throughout the print run, and washing plate storage in the archive is hassle-free. The use of new plates has improved the production process while maintaining color stability, perfect rasterization and, importantly, filled apples." - Rafal Kostrz - Production Manager, plate Member -Firma ETYFLEX.
It gives our customers a lot of savings, as they don't have to stop the machines while they are working.
TOYOBO's water-based QZ flexo plate meets all customer expectations. Its ecological aspects such as the elimination of solvents in the processing and the saving of time and energy are appreciated, as the plate is ready for use within 50 minutes. Mainly, however, the plate is praised for its high quality properties. Fine flat points, durable even with very long runs, and no printing inks pick-up, is what customers appreciate it most for.
