In the high-stakes world of flexographic printing, where competition is getting ever fiercer, there’s a lingering misconception that continues to cost printers time and money. It’s the idea that all flexo plates are essentially the same, differentiated only by price.
The reality is that while any company with the capital can buy platemaking equipment and produce a basic plate, there’s a world of difference between a functional plate and one that delivers exceptional print performance. What’s more, that difference is not just about the polymer sheet you’re putting on press, it’s the comprehensive expertise, technology investment and technical support that surrounds the plate development.
After decades in this industry, at Contact we’ve seen the platemaking landscape evolve into three distinct categories. First, we have commodity suppliers focused purely on price. They typically offer minimal technical support and frequently compromise on quality to maintain admittedly eye-catching cost advantages. They produce plates as a transaction, not as part of your print solution. Second, there are the marketing-driven operations who invest heavily in rebranding existing technologies under proprietary names, creating the illusion of innovation while delivering what are essentially standard products. They talk a good game, but rarely back it up with genuine technical advancement.
Then there’s the third type – the true platemaking partners. The businesses that approach platemaking as both art and science, where rigorous quality control, continuous innovation and technical problem-solving are fundamental. This is where we position ourselves at Contact Originators, and the difference is clear in the results our customers achieve on press.
What most printers never see is the complexity behind consistent plate production. Precision is critical at every stage, from maintaining exact exposure parameters to ensuring consistent processing conditions with minimal variability. This demands significant ongoing investment in equipment maintenance, calibration and validation that many suppliers simply aren’t able or willing to make.
We can look back and see this in action; our investment in LED exposure technology over 15 years ago was considered a very bold step at the time. Yet, it represented a key change in what’s possible with flexographic plates, dramatically improving screening capabilities and
achievable tolerances. By contrast, we still see countless platemakers continue operating with outdated or poorly maintained equipment, cutting corners that directly impact your print quality. Too often, what’s missing is the bold forward-thinking, innovation and risk-taking.
There’s a lot of great reasons to collaborate with a platemaking partner, rather than a commodity plate supplier. First, accountability for results, not just plate delivery. Second, accurate on-site technical support when print issues arise. Third, proactive recommendations for optimising plate specifications based on your specific substrates and applications. Fourth, transparent quality control measures that give you confidence in consistency. The list goes on.
The truth is that many printers are being short-changed by suppliers who view platemaking as a production-line process rather than a critical component of print success. When your supplier treats a plate as a commodity, the implication is that your print quality isn’t their problem – and that’s just not good enough in today’s competitive market. If we want to continually keep moving this industry forwards, we have to collaborate more effectively than that.
Looking ahead, we’re expecting to see continued consolidation in the platemaking sector. The suppliers who thrive will be those who’ve invested not just in basic manufacturing capabilities, but in becoming genuine technical print partners who take responsibility for your printing success. That’s the point where a supplier truly becomes a partner.
So, when evaluating plate suppliers, we urge printers and converters to look beyond the price per square meter. Consider the complete package – do they have the technical expertise to optimise plates for your specific requirements? Do they provide genuine on-press support? Are they investing in technology that improves your print performance? The right platemaking partner doesn’t just supply a consumable; they become an extension of your production team, committed to your printing success.
The difference between average and exceptional platemaking often comes down to details you never see – but your customers will certainly notice in the final printed product. And in a market where exceptional print quality is increasingly the baseline expectation, can you really afford to treat plates as just another commodity?
