Platens are flat printing surfaces used in printing presses. The term is often used interchangeably with other words, like impression cylinder, press bed, and bedplate. These words describe the same essential component of a printing press, but may vary slightly in their design and function. For example, an impression cylinder is a type of platen that presses ink onto paper through a series of rollers. A press bed may refer to a similar flat surface used for a different printing process, such as screen printing. Bedplate, on the other hand, typically refers to a stationary surface that supports the platens and other moving parts of a press. Regardless of the specific term used, the platen remains a critical component in many printing applications.