Plate Cleaning

How To Clean A Photopolymer Plate

Cleaning a photopolymer plate requires physical and chemical cleaning. The physical cleaning is usually accomplished by using a horse hair brush. The chemicals that are required to clean a photopolymer plate are a bit more complicated. Without getting into a chemistry lesson, lets just say that it is easier to buy the cleaner from a reliable manufacturer. It is just easier to buy the cleaner from a respected source rather than running the risk of swelling or ruining the plate.

Once the brush and cleaner are purchased the next step is to perform the physical cleaning of the plate. It is a relatively simple job, but it must be done right to insure no clogging of ink. The basic method is to wipe away any major residue of ink with a soft rag, then the cleaner should be sprayed onto the plate. Once the plate has a film of the cleaner applied, the next step is to scrub with a horse hair brush. This will clean out any remaining ink that may be dried up inside the pores of the plate.

This process should be carried out after every use of the photopolymer plate. If this is done correctly, the plate should last a very long time with no signs of plate swelling or print streaking, running, or bad printing.

Some solvents should not be used when cleaning the plate. Use of these solvents will harm and swell the plate.

• Acetone • Butyl • Heptane • Mineral Spirits • Ethyl Alcohol • Toluene • Rubbing Alcohol • Cellosolve