In the printing industry both rubber printing plates and photopolymer printing plates are used. With better technology being employed in modern printing presses, printing plates of the latter type have become popular. However, there are printers who prefer to use the rubber plates still at least for certain kinds of printing jobs. Normally, most printers get dedicated printing plate manufacturing companies to create their printing plates. This results in the printers being able to use printing plates of the highest quality irrespective of the type of plates they outsource. However, it is necessary for you to get hold of a good company to buy your printing plates.

Before the arrival of rubber printing plates, clay has been used for manual printing. However, in order to print with printing machines printing plates made out of rubber were used. With the improvement of technology the photopolymer printing plates emerged and they were able to create prints of better quality when used properly. The manufacturing process of these plates is such that they are able to get even the minute details in a print onto the plates and transfer the same to the print. This is why they got popular as they arrived in the market.

Though rubber printing plates became obsolete with the arrival of photopolymer printing plates they also are able to provide a certain quality level as they are also made with the use of new technology. Present day plates made out of rubber are good for certain applications. Therefore, there are occasions where they are being preferred by printers. Even these plates are able to provide the required levels of details in the prints. These are a good option to use on printing plastic bags. Both natural and synthetic rubber is used for the manufacture of these plates.

Quality of photopolymer printing plates is being improved continuously due to the new technology is being used for their manufacture. Instead of the old technology of using UV light in order to transfer the image on to the plate digital technology is now being used with laser engraving technology. This creates images of better quality on the final prints. This is why these plates are preferred by printers rather than using the old rubber printing plates. Sometimes a molding process is also used in place of photopolymer process. With all these options being available it is necessary to choose the most appropriate process when you choose one for a certain application.

Whatever the type of printing plates you use for your printing jobs, it is necessary to source them from a good manufacturer who is able to provide you with the right quality level. Therefore, you must choose your manufacturer of plates carefully. The basic requirements are that he should have experienced technicians to create the plates and he should be one who is using raw materials of the highest quality. When you source your printing plates from a manufacturer who is fulfilling these two requirements your prints invariably will have the right quality.

Photopolymer printing plates http://mono-plate.com/photopolymer-printing-plates/ are able to provide better prints but the old fashioned rubber printing plates http://mono-plate.com/rubber-printing-plates/ are also used by many. Since new technology is used in both processes the quality of prints obtained has improved.