Plate Cleaners and Conditioners
Printing plate cleaners and conditioners are used to maintain and extend the life of offset printing plates. Reasons to use printing plate cleaners include:
- Remove oxidation.
- Desensitize non-image areas for scratches.
- Replace hydrophilic chemicals on the non-image area of the offset plate.
- Remove ink and scum.
- Provide protection during press stops.
- Correct other plate imperfections, such as scratches
Reasons to use printing plate conditioners include:
- Minimize the corrosive action of the acid on the surface of an aluminum or metal plate.
- Increase the print quality.
- Extend the life of the plates.
- Harden the photosensitive substance in the areas of the negative where the light passes through.