The image on the plate is potentially a more accurate reproduction of the original. The resulting soft dot or soft edge from light undercutting the film is eliminated. CtP saves time due to fewer steps in the processing and the possibility to automatize most of the steps. Eliminating manual stripping of film improves registration. Mis-registration caused by parallax vision, material bulk and stretch is eliminated.
Digital workflow provides added flexibility in case of late changes.
Taking into account these benefits, Computer to Plate technology is quickly becoming the most significant way for printers to cope with the continuously growing demand for short-run printing and increased productivity, while at the same time decreasing the amount of materials and chemicals used in the printing process. Nevertheless, CtP technology poses a variety of challenges to print houses. Massive quantities of very large files must pass through a series of data-intensive processes within a very short timeframe.