Page 29 - Training 2019

INTRODUCTION:
With faster drying water based and solvent based printing inks, greater use of plastic films
and higher speed presses, the ink tends to dry around the pixel on a photo polymer plate
called “dot gain” and “filling in” on reverse type on the photo polymer plates. This leads to
waste and down time. The printer needs to stop and wash the plate to remove the build-
up of ink and foreign objects adhering to the plate.

Every time the printer’s starts running the press after a forced stop, it takes a while for the
registration and print to be perfect again. This is obviously waste that is being generated
at a cost. Material and inks are the two most costly factors that add significantly to the
bottom line. How can the operator stop this from happening and to reduce the waste
factor?

INFORMATION AND RELEVANCE OF PRODUCT:
PlateKote is a product that was designed to help remedy this problem of filling in and dot
gain and works extremely well and does not affect the lamination process as it is not
silicone.

HOW DOES IT WORK:
PlateKote is now available as a specially reformulated surface agent that effectively
controls the characteristics of the elastomers. Its unique, film-forming coating quickly
modulates the affinity of ink to the plate, which prevents the accumulation of dried ink,
lint, dust, or any other foreign matter in non-printing areas.

APPLICATION:
 After the plate has been mounted onto the plate cylinder; spray the entire surface of
the plate with PlateKote;
 Wipe off excess product with a lint free cloth.
o This step is not critical. With setting machine up the excess product will be
removed while inking up;
 Printer can run the job without worrying about dot gain or filling in for much longer
intervals.

HOW TO APPLY PLATEKOTE:
 Hold the can about 150 to 200mm away from the plate that has been mounted onto
plate cylinder.
 Move the can from left to right slowly.

PLATEKOTE TRAINING MANUAL 2
Updated - 24 June 2019