Inkcups Now expanded its family of pad-printing plates with the addition of two types of laser-engravable pad-printing-plate material. Imperial plate material is designed to be etched by CO2 lasers, and Cobalt plate material is suitable for use with YAG lasers. The plates reportedly can be etched in a few minutes, and no film positives or chemicals are required. Imperial plates are steel backed, 0.018-in. (0.46-mm) thick. Inkcups Now says the Imperial plates provide complete depth and halftone control, are receptive to the etching of small dots, and have a life of approximately 20,000 impressions. Cobalt plates are coated to a tolerance of ±0.0001 in. (0.003 mm) for repeatability from plate to plate and withstand 10,000 impressions per side. Inkcups says both types of plates can be etched with the company’s Cobalt laser systems or any CO2 or YAG laser system with advanced software, small spot size, and quality power control. Inkcups Now, 20 Locust St., Ste. 104, Danvers, MA 01923, 978-646-8980, fax: 978-646-8981, e-mail: info@inkcupsnow.com, Web: www.inkcups.com.