Frequently Asked Questions About Laser Direct™ Paper and Polyester Plates

1.       What type of laser printer should I have?

For best results, use a high resolution, dry toner laser printer.  A resolution of 600 DPI or higher is best for halftone images.  You can use 300 DPI with good results for text and line art.

2.     What brands of laser printers work best?

Base-Line has produced plates on printers manufactured by GCC, GraFX, Hewlett Packard, LaserMaster, NewGen and Xante

3.       What kind of LPI can I expect?

Our testing shows that Laser Direct Paper Plates yield between 85 and 105 LPI. Laser Direct Polyester Plates produce screens up to 120 LPI.

4.       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.

5.       What types of jobs can I run on these plates?

You can run any job that is being currently run on silver or electrostatic plates or where the copy can be imaged via a dry toner laser printer.  We have run business cards, newsletters, invitations, announcements, sales literature and work containing halftones, solids, screens, and 5 pt. type using Laser Direct plates.

6.       Can I image the plates on a copier?

Yes, good quality copiers can also be used for some print jobs.

7.       What side of the plate do I image on?

Feed Laser Direct Paper Plates into the printer or copier so you image the blue side, not the yellow/cream side. Laser Direct Polyester Plates should be imaged on the matte side, not the shiny side.

8.       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 as large or larger than the plate you are running.  Also, do not run the plate through the printer more than once.

9.       What sizes do Laser Direct plates come in?

We supply all standard duplicator press sizes and special sizes are available on request.

10.    How can I reduce the chance of toner scatter 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 run about 15 sheets of paper through the printer 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.

11.    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.

12.    What do I do after I image the plate?

After imaging, the plate is ready to process for the press.  You can also store it “as-is” until you need it.  When storing, keep the plate flat, dry and clean.

Processing:

13.    How do I etch the laser plates?

We recommend you try Base-Line’s Laser Direct Plate Starter & Fountain Solution at full strength.  Wipe the entire surface with a cotton pad saturated with starter for 30 to 45 seconds so that complete conversion will take place.  Then mount the laser plate on the press while it is still wet.

14.    Can I use my own etch and fountain solution?

Yes, but we recommend you try our Laser Direct product for optimal results.  To make 1 quart of fountain solution, mix 1 ounce of Laser Direct solution with 31 ounces of water. 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 5.0.

15.    Are there any fountain solutions that will cause problems with this plate?

Yes.  Electrostatic fountain solutions that are weak or old can cause background toning.  Also, alcohol based fountain solutions can break down the surface of the plate faster and reduce run length.

16.    Do I need to use Base-Line’s Formula 86 Fountain Solution Additive?

No, but we recommend using Formula 86 to help eliminate emulsification in non-alcohol systems.

17.    Can I use an automatic converter?

Yes.  When using an automatic converter, process the plate twice to ensure the plate is thoroughly coated by the etch.

18.    Do I need to bake laser plates?

You should not bake Laser Direct Paper Plates. Laser Direct Polyester Plates do not require additional fusing or post-baking, but these processes will increase run length.

19.    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

 20.    What should the pH of my fountain solution be?

We recommend you keep the pH of your fountain solution between 4.5 and 5.0.  Non-metal plates are more sensitive to contaminates on press.  Keeping the pH between 4.5 and 5.0 will reduce the change of toning in the non-image areas.

21.    How many impressions will the laser plates produce?

In our testing we found that the paper plate produces about 5,000 impressions and the polyester plate about 10,000.

22.    What type of ink can I use on this plate?

Any type of ink will work with Laser Direct plates.  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 Farlux Gel.

23.  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 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.

24.    What can I use to reduce ink tack?

We recommend Base-Line's Farlux Gel.  Along with tack reduction, Farlux Gel reduces drying time and set-off.

25.    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 Total Release Compound in your ink at the same time, start with one-half of the recommended amount of each additive, not to exceed 5% by total weight.

Corrections and Cleaning

  26.    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 Paper Plates prior to prepping them.

27.    How can I remove fingerprints or marks from the plate?

We recommend using Base-Line’s SURE plate cleaner when you notice fingerprints or dirt marks.  Using small circular motions, wipe the affected area and then re-prep the plate.

  Storing and Reuse

28. Can I save a laser plate and reuse it?

Laser Direct Paper Plates are not mean to be reused, but Laser Direct Polyester Plates can be. Use our SURE plate cleaner at full strength to coat the plate, rinse it with water, use a clean cotton pad to remove all ink residue and then let the plate air dry.

29. What do I need to do to reuse a polyester laser plate?

Simply prep the plate as before, using Laser Direct Plate Starter, before mounting it on the press.