BOCICA's 18-Year Journey: From 2007 to 2026

The Beginning: A Seed Planted in Shanghai's Jinshan District

On 31 October 2007, Shanghai Bocica Printing Equipment Co., Ltd. was officially established in the Jinshan Industrial Zone of Shanghai. At that time, the global printing‑plate market was still dominated by international giants such as Kodak and Fujifilm, while domestic CTP plates were only just emerging.

But the founding team of BOCICA saw an industry on the verge of transformation. Traditional PS plates relied on film exposure and chemical development – a cumbersome, inefficient workflow. CTP (Computer‑to‑Plate) technology – which uses lasers to image digital files directly onto plates – was sparking a printing revolution worldwide.

BOCICA chose to root itself in the Jinshan Industrial Development Zone, with a factory area of over 30,000 m² and an initial investment of RMB 170 million. That decision laid a solid manufacturing foundation for the brand's later growth.

Growth: From "Made in China" to "Technology from China"

Brand growth is never achieved overnight.

In its early years, BOCICA focused on high‑quality printing consumables under the "BOCICA" brand, covering a full range of plates: PS plates, CTP plates, CTcP plates, and more. But what truly set BOCICA apart was its relentless pursuit of technological independence.

The company introduced state‑of‑the‑art, fully enclosed and fully automatic continuous web‑fed PS‑plate production lines, with complete systems imported from abroad. These lines can produce plates up to 1,400 mm wide and 0.15–0.30 mm thick in various specifications. All products have passed ISO 9001 international quality system certification, establishing a rigorous quality‑control framework.

However, BOCICA did not stop at "importing." By 2025, the company had accumulated 57 patents and 3 trademarks. One notable invention patent, titled "An imaging coating for UV‑ink‑resistant CTP plates, a UV‑ink‑resistant CTP plate, and its preparation method," was granted in February 2025. From "buying technology" to "building technology" – BOCICA completed that transition over more than a decade.

Breakthrough: Processless CTP Plates and the Green Printing Era

If the first ten years were BOCICA's "accumulation phase," then the last five years have truly been its "breakthrough phase."

In 2020, Zhejiang Senhai New Material Co., Ltd. was established in Lishui, Zhejiang, adding three new high‑speed automated production lines. This expansion significantly boosted BOCICA's production capacity and product consistency, paving the way for large‑scale manufacturing of processless CTP plates.

Processless (or chemistry‑free) CTP plates are one of BOCICA's core technological breakthroughs in recent years. Traditional CTP plates still require chemical development after laser imaging, generating chemical waste and VOC emissions. BOCICA's thermal processless plates, however, can go straight to press after imaging – the non‑image areas are cleaned automatically during the press make‑ready, completely eliminating the chemical development step.

BOCICA's thermal CTP plates adopt a dual‑layer coating technology: the top layer ensures precise imaging, while the bottom layer guarantees durability, achieving a press life of over 500,000 impressions. Combined with a dot reproduction range of 1%–99% at 2400+ dpi, these plates meet the demands of high‑end applications including commercial printing, packaging, and magazines.

The Global Stage: From China to the World

Technological breakthroughs must ultimately withstand market scrutiny.

In May 2025, BOCICA exhibited at the 11th CHINA PRINT (Beijing International Printing Technology Exhibition) – one of the most important events in the global printing industry. At the show, BOCICA presented its high‑sensitivity thermal CTP plates, UV‑CTP plates, cost‑effective CTcP plates, and eco‑friendly processless plate solutions.

Mr. Huang Zucheng, Technical Director of BOCICA, stated at the exhibition: "Our latest R&D focuses on longer plate life, faster imaging speed, and greener production processes – exactly what today's market demands."

Later that same year, BOCICA also participated in the Printing Expo at NEC Birmingham, UK, further expanding its footprint in the European market. From Shanghai Jinshan to Beijing Shunyi, and then to Birmingham NEC – BOCICA's footprint is extending from China to the world.

Looking Ahead: The Next 18 Years

Since its founding in 2007, BOCICA has completed an 18‑year journey. Over these eighteen years, China's printing‑plate industry has undergone profound changes – from relying on imports to domestic substitution, and from traditional PS plates to digital CTP technology.

According to industry research, the size of China's thermal CTP plate market reached RMB 4.176 billion in 2025. The global thermal CTP technology market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.9% from 2026 to 2032. BOCICA stands firmly at the forefront of this growth.

But BOCICA's ambition goes beyond market share. As the company's philosophy states: "As a one‑stop leading manufacturer in the printing industry, we constantly strive for superior quality and performance." This commitment to quality, innovation, and customer responsibility is the true essence of the BOCICA brand.

From a single factory in Shanghai's Jinshan district in 2007 to a global printing‑plate brand serving customers worldwide in 2026 – BOCICA's story is one of technology, quality, and perseverance. And in this ancient yet ever‑renewing industry, that story has only just reached its most exciting chapters.