Kodak celebrates thermal CTP’s 10th anniversary
Jul 17, 2006 5:17 PM
Kodak’s (Rochester, NY) commercialization of the world’s first thermal computer-to-plate (CTP) system occurred in 1996. Thermal CTP technology celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2006.
Origins of the thermal CTP revolution began at Drupa 1995, where Kodak announced the first thermal CTP system, consisting of the Kodak Direct Image Thermal Plate and the former CREO Thermal 3244 Platesetter. The system was the result of two inventors, Dr. Neil Haley and Dan Gelbart, who continue to work for Kodak today.
Beta tests for thermal CTP began in late 1995, and the system was fully commercialized by the middle of 1996, when Squarespot imaging technology’s 10,000-dpi laser delivered robust 2,400-dpi plates. Over the next 10 years, thermal CTP evolved, becoming faster, more precise and requiring less floor space, further fueling adoption of the technology and causing it to spread from large printers to mid size and small print providers.
“Within the last decade, CTP has changed the very nature of the printing industry,” said Frank Romano, professor emeritus, Rochester Institute of Technology, School of Print Media. “I recall the day in 1995 when thermal CTP was first shown and printers looked at it with some skepticism. Yet within a few years, it was the major technology for cutting cost, increasing productivity, and providing more consistent quality. CTP is now the mainstay of the printing industry and it has engendered workflows that have led to the complete digitization of prepress and totally automated systems. What a difference a decade—and CTP—has made.”
“Thermal CTP is one of the great imaging innovations in Kodak history and a primary building block of our graphic communications business today,” said Jeff Hayzlett, CMO for Kodak’s Graphic Communications Group.
“The commercialization of thermal CTP technology enhanced the viability of the print process. Specifically, it provided value to Quad/Graphics by improving the speed and quality of print for our clients,” says Tom Frankowski, senior vice president of manufacturing for Quad/Graphics. “Additionally, CTP technology helped us reduce cycle time by removing delays that were inherent with the photomechanical prepress process. Most importantly, the accuracy and consistency of thermal CTP technology has enabled the application of further enabling tools and concepts such as closed loop color at Quad/Graphics. CTP has advanced Quad’s color control systems as we continue to push our print platform to its full potential. Of course, the benefits of CTP technology haven’t ended.”
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