CTP which means “computer to plate” is a very popular word used in the printing industry today but do not worry if you haven’t already heard or not familiar with the word.
In this article, we are going to;
- Breakdown what CTP is in layman’s terms.
- Quickly look at the older way of newspaper printing before the invention of CTP.
- We will finally do a quick comparison of CTP over the older way.
CTP is a technology used for mass reproduction of graphics (images and texts).
The images and texts are created in a desktop publishing application, they are then outputted directly on a printing plate.
The printing plate acts as a master form or a template for reproducing the images and texts on the papers.
This method of mass reproduction of graphics originated from the earliest form of printing called lithography.
What is CTF?
Before the the invention of CTP, newspaper companies used a technology called CTF which means “computer to film” for mass reproduction of graphics.
In the CTF technology, the images and texts are outputted directly on a film after being in a desktop publishing application.
The film is then taken to a dark room where it is tightly laid on top of a printing plate.
The printing plate is then exposed with UV light allowing the film to make impressions on the printing plate.
Just like in CTP, the printing plates also act as a template for reproducing the images and texts onto papers.
Learn more about CTF.
What is CTF?
Before the the invention of CTP, newspaper companies used a technology called CTF which means “computer to film” for mass reproduction of graphics.
In the CTF technology, the images and texts are outputted directly on a film from the imagesetter after being published in a desktop publishing application.
The film is then taken to a dark room where it is tightly laid on top of a printing plate.
The printing plate is then exposed with UV light allowing the film to make impressions on the printing plate.
This process is called film handling or development.
Just like in CTP, the printing plates also act as a template for reproducing the images and texts onto papers.
Learn more about CTF.
