Overview
ISO 24487:2023 - Graphic technology - Processless lithographic plates - Evaluation methods for characteristics and performance defines standardized methods to evaluate processless lithographic plates. The standard covers measurement conditions for materials and equipment, on-press development performance, usability and print image quality. It is intended primarily for processless plates (those mounted on press directly after imaging) and explicitly excludes waterless lithographic plates. Some methods are applicable to other lithographic plate classes.
Key technical topics and requirements
- Scope and test categories: Supports both individual tests (printers testing plates with their own production materials) and comparative tests (controlled, repeatable evaluation across technologies).
- Test environment controls: Recommends controlled conditions (example: printing room temperature 24 °C ± 2 °C; relative humidity (55 ± 10) % RH) to ensure reproducible results.
- Plate imaging and test forms: Specifies procedures and test forms for colour evaluation, abrasion/scratch testing and image visibility assessment.
- On‑press development: Defines assessment methods for non-image area removal, solid areas and intermediate tones during press start-up (on-press development is a defining characteristic of processless plates).
- Surface durability tests: Includes abrasion resistance, scratch resistance, resistance to toning and chemical resistance (rub and drop tests).
- Process variables: Covers pre-dampening amount, pre-inking amount, ink selection, fountain solution, substrate selection and press preparation/control.
- Performance metrics: Specifies run length testing, image visibility, plate behaviour for stop-and-restart cycles and reporting requirements for comparative assessments.
- Reporting & classification: Defines required reporting elements and gives examples/annexes for measurement methods and classification of results.
Practical applications and users
ISO 24487:2023 is practical for:
- Commercial printers and prepress departments evaluating processless plate options for production efficiency and print quality.
- Quality managers who need standardized acceptance criteria and comparative test protocols.
- Plate manufacturers and suppliers validating product performance under consistent test conditions.
- Press OEMs and ink/fountain solution suppliers collaborating on compatibility and optimization for on‑press development workflows.
Benefits include faster plate handling (no off-press processing), standardized selection criteria, and reproducible comparative data for procurement and process control.
Related standards
- ISO 2846-1 - colour and transparency of printing ink sets (sheet-fed/heat-set web offset)
- ISO 12647-2 - process control for offset lithographic printing
- ISO 13655 - spectral measurement and colorimetric computation for graphic arts images
For full test details, procedures and annex examples, obtain ISO 24487:2023 from the ISO catalogue (www.iso.org).
