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“Baked images” refer to a technique used in lithographic printing to enhance the durability and longevity of the printing plate. Here’s how it typically works:
- Printing Plate Preparation: Lithographic printing plates are typically made of a metal or a metal alloy coated with a photosensitive emulsion. This emulsion is exposed to light through a film negative that contains the image to be printed.
- Image Development: After exposure to light, the plate is processed to develop the image. Areas exposed to light become more receptive to ink, while unexposed areas repel ink.
- Baking Process: To increase the durability of the image on the plate, the plate is baked in an oven at a controlled temperature for a specific period. This baking process serves several purposes:
- Hardening: It hardens the emulsion and the image area, making it more resistant to wear during the printing process.
- Run Length: By hardening the image, the plate can withstand more impressions (prints) before showing signs of wear.
- Stability: Baking stabilizes the chemical composition of the emulsion, ensuring consistent printing quality over a longer print run.
- Cooling and Finishing: After baking, the plate is allowed to cool to room temperature. It may undergo additional finishing processes, such as trimming or polishing, before it is mounted on the printing press for production.
Baked images are particularly useful in commercial printing where high-quality, long print runs are required. The baking process ensures that the printing plate maintains its integrity and image sharpness throughout the printing job, contributing to consistent and durable print output.
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