We present a CTP (computer-to-plate) system that allows the direct production of printing plates by scanning high-directivity light, such as that from laser beams, at an extraordinary speed, resulting in the rapid digitization of prepress operations. Such rapid digitization has become the de facto standard in the newspaper print market, where a high throughput and high stability of the makeup system are required. As a result of the increasing market demand for CTP materials, high throughput, and low cost year after year, there are rising concerns about the deterioration of environmental quality. Further improvement is expected in the future. Our paper reports on the latest technological trends of printing plates in general.
