Main Stages of Production of Offset Printing Forms:
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exposure;
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development;
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stopping.
For production of the analogous offset printing forms, the positive (printable areas are black and non-printable ones - transparent) foils are used, and the digital forms are exposed directly, when the laser beam controlled by the computer software creates (irradiates) the image template on the plate surface.
The offset forms are made of the aluminium sheet coated with the special emulsion. In time of exposure, the sheet is exposed to the UV light of some wavelength through the image template created on the foil. The irradiated areas (through transparent areas) are activated and the hydrophobic layer is formed on the sheet in these places, which is strengthened in time of development and stopping. Non-irradiated (hydrophobic) areas of the form repel water, when the form passes the watering section of the printing machine, and irradiated areas absorb water. When the form passes the inking section, the dry areas of the form are coated with ink, which is transferred to the printing surface, and so the image is generated. | 
