Recent European Experience of Screenless Offset Photolithography.

Properties inherent in screenless photolithography such as improved colour rendering especially in the magenta-purple-cyan colour space region and greater tolerance towards over-inking and 'tracking' effects on lower grade papers, may be regarded as even more significant than the high detail resolution capability of the process. Practical experience by a U.K. Printing Group in developing and applying a production-line system in a major commercial application is reported. Consistency of reproduction and platemaking, comparable with fine-screen halftone photolithography is achievable, provided plates can be batch-selected. Press requirements demand no exceptional departures from good conventional practice. Screenless photolithography enables reproduction of pre-screened material, fine-line engravings and duotones at higher quality with fewer difficulties than with established halftone processes.