Imaging
What type of laser printer should I have?
For the best results, use a high resolution, dry toner laser printer. A resolution of 1200 DPI or higher is best for halftone images. You can use 600 DPI with good results for text and line art. Recommended laser print speed is 4-12 pages per minute.
What brands of laser printers work best?
Base-Line has produced plates on printers manufactured by GCC, GraFX, Hewlett Packard, LaserMaster, NewGen and Xante.
What kind of resolution can I expect?
Laser Direct Polyester Plates hold a precise 1200 DPI image at 120 line screen.
What should my printer’s density setting be?
Density should be at the lowest setting to start, and increase one step at a time if necessary.
What types of jobs can I run on these plates?
You can run any job that is currently run on silver or electrostatic plates, or where the copy can be imaged using a dry toner laser printer. We have run business cards, newsletters, invitations, announcements, sales literature and work containing halftones, solids, screen and 5 pt. type using Laser Direct plates.
Can I image the plates on a copier?
Yes, good quality dry toner copiers can also be used for some good print jobs.
What side of the plate do I image?
Both sides of Laser Direct series 50000 plates can be imaged. Image both sides prior to printing with either side.
How can I get the plate to feed all the way through my laser printer?
You will want to check the page size in your page set-up menu. It should be larger than the plate you are running.
What size do Laser Direct plates come in?
We supply all standard duplicator press sizes. Special sizes are available upon request.
How can I reduce the chance of splatter toner on the plate?
Set the toner density on the laser printer to the lowest position. If your toner density is not already at the lowest position, you will need to print an image on about fifteen sheets of paper to clear any excess toner. This will allow the image to fuse better to the plate, and reduce possible toner particles on the background of the plate. Also, regular cleaning of your laser printer or copier will help ensure a clear image on the plate. If you do not use your printer exclusively for laser plates, a good practice is to image two sheets of plain paper before each plate. This will reduce toner scatter and increase fuser temperatures.
Should I punch the plate before or after I image it?
Punch the plate after you image it. A pre-punched plate can catch toner as it goes through the laser printer and deposit particles on the image area. It can also damage the laser printer drum.
What do I do after I image the plate?
After imaging, the plate is ready to prepare for the press. You can also store it “as-is” until you need it. When storing, keep the plate flat, dry and clean.
Preparing Plate to Print
(No converting required for Laser Direct series 50000)
How do I prepare the laser plate for press?
Use a soft, low-linting cotton pad to ensure the plate surface is evenly wet with fountain solution. Start up as usual. Run dampening rollers 10 to 15 seconds then drop form rollers and begin print cycle.
Can I use my own fountain solution?
Yes, but do not use full strength fountain solution on the plate, only diluted mix. We recommend you use our Laser Direct product for optimal results. Follow dilution instructions on the fountain solution container. The higher the pH level of your water, the more Laser Direct you will need to add to achieve the proper fountain solution Ph. The optimum pH is 4.5 to 5.5. You can use any metal/silver plate fountain solution mixed/diluted as usual.
Are their any fountain solutions that will cause problems with this plate?
Yes, Electrostatic fountain solutions that are weak can cause background toning. If using Electrostatic fountain solution, do not use full strength to wet the plate. Use mixed/diluted fountain solution to wet the plate prior to start-up.
Can I use an automatic converter?
Yes, however, only mixed fountain solution should be used as the Laser Direct series 50000 requires no conversion.
Do I need to bake laser plates?
Laser Direct polyester plates do not require additional fusing or post-baking, but these processes may increase run length.
Do I need special lighting or a dark room for this plate?
No, since Base-Line’s laser plates are not light sensitive, there is no need for a darkroom or safelight conditions.
On the Press
Note: Be sure that solvent cleaners do not come in contact with plates and that cleaned surfaces are dry before starting the press using laser plates.
What should the pH of my fountain solution be?
We recommend you keep the pH of your fountain solution between 4.5 and 5.5. Non-metal plates are more sensitive to contaminants on press. Keeping the pH between 4.5 and 5.5 will reduce the chance of toning in the non-image areas.
How many impressions will the laser plate produce?
In out testing we found that the polyester plate will produce 10,000 or more impressions depending on the roller pressures, inks, laser printer temperatures, papers, etc. Set the press with minimum roller pressure to maximize run length and minimize dot gain.
What type of ink can I use with this plate?
Any type of ink will work with Laser Direct plates, except UV inks. We recommend oil or acrylic based inks, which seem to yield the best results. Also, with soy or rubber-based inks, be sure to use a tack reducer such as Base-Line’s FarGel.
What can I do to keep the ink from pulling or attacking the surface of the laser plate?
When inks pull and attack the surface of the plate, the first thing to do is to reduce the tack of your ink. This will keep the ink from creating hickies or picking on the surface of the laser plate and reduce forced toning.
What can I use to reduce ink tack?
We recommend Base-Line’s FarGel. Along with tack reduction, FarGel reduces drying time and set-off.
How can I improve my solids or halftones?
Try Base-Line’s Total Release Compound (TRC). TRC helps ink release from the printing blanket, giving you consistent solids and sharper halftones and screens. TRC also reduces hickies, picking, and ink tack without affecting the body of the ink and can be used with most offset press inks.
Note: If you use both Farlux Gel and TRC in your ink at the same time, start one-half of the recommended amount of each additive, not to exceed 5% by total weight.
How thick are the Laser Direct Plates?
Laser Direct polyester plates are .004 inches (100 microns) in thickness. Use press packing as necessary.
Corrections and Cleaning
How can I make corrections on laser plates?
We find that our REL brand Addition and Deletion Pens, made for electrostatic plates, work well on Laser Direct Plates prior to wetting them.
How can I remove fingerprints or marks from the plate?
We recommend using Base-Line’s Laser Direct plate cleaner when you notice fingerprints or dirt marks. Using small circular motions wipe off the affected area and then re-prep the plate. Laser Direct plate cleaner also works well to reduce background toning and/or toner scatter if these are a problem. Be sure to rinse all plate cleaners off the plate surface before running the plate on the press.
Can I save a laser plate and reuse it?
Laser Direct Polyester Plates can be rerun. Use our Laser Direct plate cleaner at full strength to coat the plate, rinse it with water, use a clean cotton pad to remove all ink residue, and let the plate air dry.
What do I need to do to reuse a polyester plate?
Simply prep the plate as before (wet with mixed fountain solution) before mounting it on the press.
Still have questions?
Our Customer Service Team will provide you with technical support for laser plates and all other Base-Line products.
