Printing Plate: The core and future of the printing industry

In the world of printing, every detail is crucial, and the printing plate is undoubtedly the soul of this process. As a carrier of printed images that transfer ink to the substrate, the printing plate plays a pivotal role in the field of surveying and printing. It not only carries the accurate transmission of graphic information, but is also an indispensable part of modern printing technology.

Printing plate, referred to as printing plate, is a key tool for transferring graphic information on the original to the substrate. Whether it is text, image or trademark, the printing plate can ensure that this information is accurately copied to paper, plastic or other materials.

Printing plates are usually divided into four categories according to their structure and production process: relief, gravure, lithography and screen printing.
Relief: The image part is raised and the non-image part is concave, and the ink is transferred to the substrate through embossing. This printing plate is suitable for printed products that require a strong touch, such as greeting cards, business cards, etc.
Gravure: The image part is concave and the non-image part is raised, suitable for high-precision printing, such as banknotes, stamps, etc. Gravure printing is favored for its fine lines and rich layering.
Lithography: Also known as offset printing plate, the image and non-image parts are on the same plane, and the difference between oleophilic and hydrophilic is formed by chemical or physical methods for printing. Lithography has become the mainstream of the modern printing industry due to its wide applicability and efficient printing speed.
Stencil: Ink is transferred through holes or mesh structures, suitable for printing special effects, such as screen-printed T-shirts, posters, etc. Stencil printing is loved by artists and designers for its unique artistic effects and flexibility.

With the continuous advancement of technology, the production process of printing plates has also been increasingly refined. Taking lithographic printing plates as an example, modern lithographic printing base plates usually contain a photosensitive layer composed of cross-linked polymers. These cross-linked polymers include hydrophilic polymers, cross-linking agents and light-absorbing compounds, and sometimes also hydrophobic polymers. Through the method of light radiation, the ink-resistant layer can be turned into an ink-receptive layer, thereby realizing the precise transmission of graphic information.

Printing plates play an important role in packaging, advertising, publishing and other fields. Especially in the current context of the booming e-commerce and food delivery industries, the demand for packaging machinery and products has soared, and the demand for printed plates that can meet the needs of logo and style customization services has also increased. Data from Alibaba International Station shows that China, Egypt, the United States and other countries are the main purchasing countries for printed plates, while the visit data of buyers from Laos, Madagascar and other countries is also growing rapidly, which provides new market opportunities for domestic printed plate manufacturers.