Computer-to-plate technology (or CTP) allows the printing file to be etched directly to the plate from the computer without the need for negatives, film processing or plate processing.
The process effectively cuts out three steps in the platemaking process.
CTP has been around now for a number of years and following it's appearance, a significant number of pre-press bureaus found themselves in the unenviable situation of having to replace a large portion of trade business.
Many graphic design houses (or pre-press bureaus) provided a pre-press service to printers who did not have the equipment to perform the task themselves.
The printers would send the artwork files to the pre-press houses who would output the files to film (negatives) and in some situations, output the plates as well.
After CTP was introduced, many printers decided to purchase CTP equipment primarily because it was much easier and simpler to operate than outputting the negatives, running them through a film processor then a developer then burning the image to a plate.
The graphic designer employed by the printing company could simply send the graphic file directly to the CTP unit and it would process a plate ready for printing.
Many pre-press houses were hit hard by this technology as trade work represented a significant portion of their business.
Then came the blinding flash of the obvious.
Many decided to employ printing sales people and grow a print broking arm to the business.
After all, every single one of their customers to whom they were supplying graphic design were having their printing done at a printing company, as they had been doing for eons.
A golden opportunity arose...for those who saw it
These days, many pre-press houses do very little bureau work having replaced this portion of the business with print broking however some still supply plates to printers.
But, there is a down side to this technology.
Since the technology was introduced, some printers still rely on pre-press houses to supply the plates. The problem arises when the printer needs to replace a plate for an urgent job or when printing after hours, and the pre-press bureau is closed.
In the past they would simply grab the negatives from the file and 'burn' another plate.
So the job is either lifted or they make a phone call & try to coax someone from the bureau to jump in their car and make another plate.
A logical way to go.
There were a few however that 'went to the wall' because they could not see what was happening or refused to accept what was happening.
They viewed CTP as innovative but not as a threat. They just could not see how it was going to affect their business.
