Imaging system and method for loading a printing plate

An imaging system for performing a computer-to-plate imaging process on printing plates, comprising:

• a plate imaging bed for exposing radiation to a printing plate, wherein the plate imaging bed forms a stiff lever arm, the bed being provided with an input section for receiving a printing plate, an output section for transferring the printing plate to a processing unit, the plate imaging bed including a pivoting axle arranged near the output section for pivoting the plate imaging bed;
• a loading device for loading the printing plate from a multiple plate stack to the input section of the plate imaging bed, wherein the input section is adjustable with respect to the output section to adjust the vertical position of the input section to near the top of the multiple plate stack, the loading device comprising a printing plate loader and a paper gripper, wherein the printing plate loader comprises a vacuum loader;
• and
• a position adjusting device engaging the plate imaging bed remote from the pivoting axle for positioning the input section near the top of the multiple plate stack, wherein the position adjusting device comprises an actuator mechanism.