Manufacturing and Forming Printing Plates

Templates are used to transfer designs or texts onto various media such as paper, plastic, metal, or fabrics. This technique is used in several types of printing, including relief printing, intaglio printing, and lithography (flat printing).

Stages of Template Manufacturing

Design and Technical Preparation

• The desired design for printing is created using graphic design software.
• Attention must be paid to the precision of lines, colors, and design size to ensure print quality.

Selecting the Type of Template

• Relief Templates: Made from rubber or polymer materials, used in packaging and newspaper printing.
• Flat Templates: Made from aluminum coated with a light-sensitive layer, used in commercial printing.
• Intaglio Templates: Made from copper or chrome, used for magazine and high-end printing.

Materials Used in Template Manufacturing

• Photopolymer (for flexography)
• Copper and Chrome (for intaglio)
• Coated Aluminum (for offset printing)

Common Applications of Printing Templates

Poster and Billboard Printing

Packaging Printing (carton, plastic)

Magazine and Book Printing