KODAK SONORA X Plates are unlike any other process free plate available today. A new technology breakthrough combines the performance features of wet processed plates with Kodak’s market-leading process free technology, and the result is a plate with run length, imaging speed, robustness, and resolution capabilities that rival processed plates.
The future is green
Position your company as an environmental leader as you save water, reduce energy usage, and eliminate processing chemistry. SONORA X Plates are true process free plates, so you can take them straight from the platesetter to the press, with no processing step in between. You remove processing costs and waste, free up floorspace and eliminate the processing variability that can waste time and money in the pressroom.
Longest running process free plate
SONORA X Plates can replace unbaked wet processed plates in most applications, with run lengths of up to 400,000 impressions on web presses, 200,000 impressions on sheetfed presses, and even up to 75,000 impressions for UV-ink applications, including low-energy UV.
Productivity, print quality, and robustness
With laser energy required of 120 mJ/cm,2 SONORA X Plates enable almost all platesetters to run at maximum productivity and, with no processing step, making plates is faster than ever. Your customers will appreciate that you are using a more sustainable plate, and they will love the print quality they’re getting, thanks to the high-resolution capabilities and robust design of SONORA X Plates.
Benefit your bottom line
When you print with SONORA Plates, you eliminate and reduce many associated costs. Here’s how it breaks down:
| Chemistry and disposal |
| Processing chemistry costs
• Developer/finisher used for tank changes • Developer or replenisher used as replenisher chemistry • Developer or replenisher for anti-oxidation |
| Cost to dispose of chemistry
• Disposal of chemistry • Neutralization of chemistry if not neutral or not able to put down the drain • Administrative expenses needed to be in compliance with changing regulations |
| Cost to manage chemistry inventory
• Maintaining storage space • Tracking inventory • Placing orders • Handling containers |
| Processing equipment and maintenance |
| Cost of processing equipment
• Cost to buy the processor (if not loaned) • Installation/training costs to set up equipment • Additional infrastructure for electrical and plumbing needs |
| Cost for processor maintenance
• Monthly service contracts • Supplies for maintaining equipment (cleaning fluids, etc.) • Labor cost for maintenance and upkeep of equipment • If ovens are used, cost of extraction and increased air conditioning • Cost of water to clean processor |
| Costs whenever a processor breaks down and stops the presses |
| Utilities |
| Cost of water used in processing |
| Cost of electricity used to run the processor |
| Processing variability |
| Cost of materials used if plates need to be remade (plates, paper, ink) |
| Cost of press downtime |
Leading the process free revolution
Kodak is, and always has been, the leader in process free plate technology, and with SONORA X Plates, Kodak is helping printers become more sustainable and profitable. That is why you can print with SONORA Plates … just about anything:
- Offset packaging (including food packaging)
- UV and low-energy UV print
- Heatset and coldset web applications
- High-quality commercial print
- VLF applications
And more . . .
