According to the report a recurring theme in this white paper is printers lack of awareness of the total cost of getting a plate on press.

One finding stated: Perhaps nothing in the current market for products in the printing industry is more complicated than the pricing for plates. The nominal prices on the invoice often bear no resemblance to the real price.

The study, conducted last summer, involved speaking to 63 North American printers covering a range of plant sizes and CTP technologies.

US plate prices ranged from 4.73 per m2 ($0.80 per square foot) to 11.83 per m2, with an average cost of 6.77 per m2.

The study found that prices, although affected by volume, were more dependent on whether a plant was part of a larger firm or a buying group, or if the plates were financing equipment.

It also found typical plate price across brands and types was fairly consistent.

Processing costs were highlighted by the report as an area often overlooked. It said, many if not most printers underestimate the total cost of chemistry, processing and maintenance.

Hidden costs highlighted included the floor space used by processing kit and processor maintenance.

But the report found the average cost of chemistry was equivalent to 18% of plate expenditure, although the total range was 5% to 70%.

Overall the report suggested processless plates could be a viable option and compared favourably with processed plates for lower volume users.

But the author did not reveal who funded the report, which is available for free from his website.

Visit: www.johnzarwan.com.

Story by Barney Cox