Patent ID: 6748864
Filing Date: 2004-06-15
Classification: B41C

Abstract:
A printing system comprising a multi-color lithographic printing press and an off-press plate-making apparatus comprising:means for applying on a substrate a uniform image-recording layer which is capable of forming a lithographic image upon exposure to heat or light and optional processing; and means for removing the lithographic image from the substrate; wherein the off-press plate-making apparatus is mechanically coupled to the multi-color printing press by plate-loading means for transferring a plurality of printing plate precursors or a plurality of printing masters from the plate-making apparatus to the multi-color printing press and/or by plate-unloading means for transferring a plurality of printing masters from the multi-color printing press to the plate-making apparatus and wherein the plate-loading means and/or the plate-unloading means comprise a stacking apparatus.