CTP Thermal plates advice

[zox]

Hi guys,

I know similar topic came up more than once but I would like to refresh it.
We are considering switching our plate providers.
What would be good plates to run.

We are commercial shop, we run mostly 10 micron stochastic, we need 100 000+ impressions but nothing wild, maybe up to 150 or 200 000.
8-up size (Heidelberg's 10 col CD, SM102 (10 col perfector), SM52, 40")

We have experience with Creo and Fuji plates but we want to look into everything from scratch and take into account others, like Kodak Gold, etc..

Any input from real life experience is welcome.

Thanks in advance.

[pmkprog]

We've been real happy with Fuji plates.
Kodak Sword plates sucked, especially with the window they spec for FM!

[30YearsandCounting]

We have experience with different Agfa and Fuji thermal plates. Not sure which Fuji you tried but my recommendation would be the Fuji LH-PJ. Been very reliable for us.

[zox]

Thanks guys, LH-PJ is ours too but we are not using it much.

What is your experience with LH-PJ?

Processor maintenance, good runs, stabillity on press,..? any input is appreciated.

Thanks

[30YearsandCounting]

We are a similar type of sheetfed shop with run lengths from 300 to 300,000. The LH-PJs hold up just fine for us. Sometimes get the the odd spot on a plate, but nothing serious. We do lots of hybrid screening but not 10-micron. The pressmen love them and have no complaints. Chemistry lasts up to 5,000 sq. ft. before a processor clean. It seems to run on mostly distilled water and uses very little chemistry.

If you have the LH-PJs why aren't you using them? Have you had problems or do you like the Creo plate better?

[zox]

Honestly don't know.

I am kind of late in the game and this was already setup.
That's why I am trying to get my head around it.
I mean, I understand if someone wants to have 2 vendors in shop, even though I dislike it, but it is beyond me that we would not use Fuji if it's better than Creo, according to everybody I talked to??

I'll have to do more research, thanks for your input.

[Dub]

For the ultimate in stability and run length and resolution (10 micron printing) it is hard to beat the Kodak Thermal Gold. Very hard and hi-rez and lasts forever.

The Fuji LH-PJ as others mentioned is a great plate but I would be sort of skeptical if it could hold 10 micron consistently. It is definately a great 15-25 micron no bake plate and as others have said processor uses very little chemistry but having distilled water is the key.

The Kodak Sword Excel (G33 Grain) is also a decent plate when compared to the LH-PJ but still only a solid 20 micron plate. Sword Excel w/Ultragrain is poor for resolution.. 25-30 micron min and that is with the new 980 developer and regenerator and upped replenishment rates.

Soo many choices.. soo little dots!!!

Good luck,
Dub

[zox]

Thanks Dub.
Kodak Gold does look attractive, however pre-bake, post-bake oven is kind of turning us off.
We'll look more.

[bluekivi]

We are using Kodak Thermal Gold right now but we just finished testing on another Kodak plate. It is called P0048. I'm not sure if this is a test for Kodak as well but we were happy with the results. The bonus is that it only requires a pre-bake. We are looking to trash our post-bake unit as it goes through motors like anything (3 in the last 6 months). Good thing we're on a service contract.

[zox]

I know about POO48, they call it poo 48

Problem with that plate is smell.
Apparently when it bakes, some smell is coming out and people really hate it.
I even heard of some calling it poisonous.
Kodak has another plate in works to replace this one for this particular reason, I believe.

Thanks for suggestion, though.

I also heard that you can run Kodak Gold without post bake, anyone with experience there?