Computer to film
Computer to film (CTF) is a print workflow involving printing from a computer straight to film through an imagesetter. Designs are typically created in Adobe Illustrator or CorelDRAW, however they can also be produced in AutoCAD, Inkscape and many other vector based CAD, design and desktop publishing software packages.

For multi-coloured printing, the image is broken up into multiple layers representing each of the spot colors or the CMYK process colors, this may be split manually by the designer or separated by software in the imagesetter itself. Each color is made into its own piece of film and plate, there can be 12 or more colors used in a single production run, however 1-6 colors are typical.

From the imagesetter, the film is taken to the plate maker, where the film is laid on top of photopolymer plate material. A vacuum is then drawn to ensure tight contact between the plate and film, the plate is then exposed with UV Light. The plate is then washed in a solvent solution, typically water, where the unexposed areas wash away leaving a relief. It's then dried and given a second and final exposure without the film for durability. The plate can then be fitted onto an offset, rotary or flexographic printing press ready to print the product. A printing plate can produce 100,000 impressions or more before showing signs of wear, after which a new plate can be made from the original film. 

With advances in the technology of heat stabilization of polyester film, new-generation laser printer films provide excellent image registration and sharpness for multi-colour jobs. 

Computer to film is being replaced by the more advanced computer to plate (CTP) technology.
Q68
computer
Concept
Q190408
film
Concept
Q1984368
imagesetter
Concept
Q215016
Adobe Illustrator
ORG
Q142371
CorelDRAW
MEDIA
Q83570
AutoCAD
ORG
Q8041
Inkscape
MEDIA
Q184793
CAD
Concept
Q82604
design
Concept
Q188610
desktop publishing
Concept
Q1751288
spot colors
Concept
Q166432
CMYK process colors
Concept
Q2631097
photopolymer plate
UNK
Q11391
UV Light
Concept
Q3921059
relief
Concept
Q190408
offset
Concept
Q911814
rotary
Concept
Q1137927
flexographic
UNK
Q188245
polyester
Concept
Q67972035
laser printer
Concept
Q861092
image registration
Concept
Q1122393
computer to plate
UNK
Q1122367
Computer to film
UNK
Q1122367
Computer to film
UNK
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use