When PrintWeek India’s deputy editor, Noel D’cunha visited Kerala in 2012, there were 49 CTPdevices installed in the state. Today, the number has upped to 73. The break up is: thermal (40), violet (24) and nine UV CTCP systems. 

An interesting snapshot captured by PrintWeek India after consulting the top CTP suppliers is, even though the installed base of thermal CTP systems is higher than violet, in terms of plate consumption, thermal and violet plate consumption are on par. 

This is because, "average plate consumption of thermal plates is 800 sq/m per unit and that of violet is 1100 sq/m," as stated by the regional manager of a major plate supplier. The other trend is, the slowdown among CTP service bureaus; since most of the major print firms have installed a CTP device in-house.

In the state, TechNova accounts for a majority of CTP device installations, while Heidelberg has installed 10 Suprasetters in the state. 

This growth in CTP systems and plates is driven by the print market in Kerala, which is short runs and enhanced quality. These range from 1,000 to 10,000 copies be it brochures for real estate and jewel and gems market.

PS: The update doesn't include CTP systems for newspapers