Abstract: A method of forming a photopolymer layer on a printing substrate (e.g., flexographic printing sleeves and cylinders) is provided. The method includes providing a photopolymer composition that contains a photopolymer and at least one monomer bonded to the photopolymer. The monomer can help reduce the hardness of the resulting photopolymer composition. In addition, the method also includes spraying the photopolymer composition onto a rotating generally cylindrical surface of the printing substrate. In one embodiment, the sprayed photopolymer composition is then cured. The resulting photopolymer layer is seamless and continuous and, in some embodiments, has a hardness of between about 50 to about 70 Shore A.

Abstract: A seamless, trilaminate, photopolymer cylindrical printing plate useful in a variety of printing processes, including the flexographic, letter press, dry-offset, intaglio, and gravure processes, capable of millions of printing runs with minimal degradation. The seamless, photopolymer, cylindrical printing plate has a seamless trilaminate cylindrical sleeve with a constant cross-sectional diameter and a longitudinal axis, a clear matte sealant layer completely covering the seamless trilaminate cylindrical sleeve, a bonder layer completely covering the clear matte sealant layer, and a photopolymer layer completely covering the bonder layer. A pigmented primer layer may completely cover the matte sealant layer and be completely covered by the bonder layer. A hardening layer and an anti-oxidant layer may completely cover the photopolymer layer. A method of manufacturing the seamless, trilaminate, photopolymer cylindrical printing plate is also provided.