Abstract: The invention relates to a radiation-curable mixture for generating relief structures, comprising a) at least one functionalized, part-hydrolyzed polyvinyl acetate comprising (i) vinyl alcohol units, (ii) vinyl acetate units, and (iii) vinyl acrylate units, where the vinyl acrylate units, which can be substituted, have the general structure where R is hydrogen or a linear or branched aliphatic or heteroaliphatic radical having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, or a cycloaliphatic, heterocyclic or aromatic radical having 3 to 12 carbon atoms, as component A, b) at least one initiator as component B, c) at least one ethylenically unsaturated compound different from component A, as component C, d) one or more adjuvants as component D, wherein the amount of vinyl acrylate units (iii) in the functionalized, part-hydrolyzed polyvinyl acetate a), based on all the units (i), (ii), and (iii), is 0.1 to <3 mol %, and component D comprises an additive capable of hydrogen bonding, in an amount of 0.

Abstract: A digitally imageable, photopolymerizable relief precursor at least comprising, arranged one above another in the order stated, (A) a dimensionally stable carrier; (AH) optionally, an adhesion-promoting layer; (B) a relief-forming layer, at least comprising a crosslinkable elastomeric binder, a first ethylenically unsaturated monomer, and a photoinitiator; (C) at least one interlayer, at least comprising a first, non-radically crosslinkable elastic polymer; (D) a laser-ablatable mask layer, at least comprising a second, non-radically crosslinkable elastic polymer, a UVA light-absorbing material, and an IR light-absorbing material; and optionally (E) a removable cover layer; characterized in that the layer (C) and optionally the layer (D) comprise at least one second ethylenically unsaturated monomer.

Abstract: A photopolymerisable relief precursor includes a dimensionally stable carrier, and a photopolymerisable relief-forming layer at least containing a crosslinkable elastomeric binder, an ethylenically unsaturated monomer, a migration-capable, surface-active additive, a photoinitiator activatable with UVA light and a photoinitiator activatable with UVC light. A method for producing a relief structure.

Abstract: Methods for producing cylindrical flexographic printing elements, the cylindrical flexographic printing elements having a relief-forming layer, and the relief-forming layer being produced by successive application of a plurality of layers of a relief-forming material in liquid melt form, preferably of a photopolymerizable material in liquid melt form, to a rotating cylindrical sleeve in a continuous process.

Abstract: A digitally imageable, photopolymerizable relief precursor at least comprising, arranged one above another in the order stated, (A) a dimensionally stable carrier; (AH) optionally, an adhesion-promoting layer; (B) a relief-forming layer, at least comprising a crosslinkable elastomeric binder, a first ethylenically unsaturated monomer, and a photoinitiator; (C) at least one interlayer, at least comprising a first, non-radically crosslinkable elastic polymer; (D) a laser-ablatable mask layer, at least comprising a second, non-radically crosslinkable elastic polymer, a UVA light-absorbing material, and an IR light-absorbing material; and optionally (E) a removable cover layer; characterized in that the layer (C) and optionally the layer (D) comprise at least one second ethylenically unsaturated monomer.

Abstract: A method for producing flexographic printing plates, using a photopolymerizable flexographic printing element having, arranged one atop another, a dimensionally stable support, a photopolymerizable, relief-forming layer, an elastomeric binder, an ethylenically unsaturated compound, and a photoinitiator, and optionally a rough, UV-transparent layer, a particulate substance, and digitally imagable layer. The method includes: (a) producing a mask by imaging the digitally imagable layer, (b) exposing the photopolymerizable, relief-forming layer through the mask with actinic light, and photopolymerizing the image regions of the layer, and (c) developing the photpolymerized layer by washing out the unphotopolymerized regions of the relief-forming layer with an organic solvent, or by thermal development.

Abstract: A digitally imageable, photopolymerizable flexographic printing element that includes, disposed one above another in order, at least a dimensionally stable support, at least one photopolymerizable, relief-forming layer having a layer thickness of 300-6000 ?m, including at least one elastomeric binder, an ethylenically unsaturated monomer, and a photoinitiator or a photoinitiator system, an oxygen-blocking barrier layer which is transparent to UVA light and has a layer thickness of 0.3-5 ?m, a laser-ablatable mask layer having a layer thickness of 0.3-5 ?m, including at least one elastomeric binder and a material which absorbs UV/VIS light, and a removable outer film, wherein the at least one relief-forming layer, the barrier layer and the mask layer are soluble or dispersible in an organic solvent, and the barrier layer includes at least one oxygen-blocking binder and an oligomeric or polymeric basic adhesion component.

Abstract: The invention relates to a radiation-curable mixture for generating relief structures, comprising a) at least one functionalized, part-hydrolyzed polyvinyl acetate comprising (i) vinyl alcohol units, (ii) vinyl acetate units, and (iii) vinyl acrylate units, where the vinyl acrylate units, which can be substituted, have the general structure where R is hydrogen or a linear or branched aliphatic or heteroaliphatic radical having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, or a cycloaliphatic, heterocyclic or aromatic radical having 3 to 12 carbon atoms, as component A, b) at least one initiator as component B, c) at least one ethylenically unsaturated compound different from component A, as component C, d) one or more adjuvants as component D, wherein the amount of vinyl acrylate units (iii) in the functionalized, part-hydrolyzed polyvinyl acetate a), based on all the units (i), (ii), and (iii), is 0.1 to <3 mol %, and component D comprises an additive capable of hydrogen bonding, in an amount of 0.

Abstract: Photopolymerizable, preferably digitally imageable photopolymerizable, flexographic printing elements having a PET support sheet of low thermal shrinkage, methods of preparing such flexographic printing elements and their use for making flexographic printing plates by imagewise exposure to light, washing out with organic solvents and drying, wherein said drying is carried out at temperatures of more than 60° C.

Abstract: A method for producing flexographic printing plates, using a photopolymerizable flexographic printing element having, arranged one atop another, a dimensionally stable support, a photopolymerizable, relief-forming layer, an elastomeric binder, an ethylenically unsaturated compound, and a photoinitiator, and optionally a rough, UV-transparent layer, a particulate substance, and digitally imagable layer. The method includes: (a) producing a mask by imaging the digitally imagable layer, (b) exposing the photopolymerizable, relief-forming layer through the mask with actinic light, and photopolymerizing the image regions of the layer, and (c) developing the photpolymerized layer by washing out the unphotopolymerized regions of the relief-forming layer with an organic solvent, or by thermal development.

Abstract: A method for producing flexographic printing plates, using a photopolymerizable flexographic printing element having, arranged one atop another, a dimensionally stable support, a photopolymerizable, relief-forming layer, an elastomeric binder, an ethylenically unsaturated compound, and a photoinitiator, and optionally a rough, UV-transparent layer, a particulate substance, and digitally imagable layer. The method includes: (a) producing a mask by imaging the digitally imagable layer, (b) exposing the photopolymerizable, relief-forming layer through the mask with actinic light, and photopolymerizing the image regions of the layer, and (c) developing the photpolymerized layer by washing out the unphotopolymerized regions of the relief-forming layer with an organic solvent, or by thermal development.

Abstract: The invention relates to a digitally imageable, photopolymerizable flexographic printing element for producing flexographic printing formes, comprising, disposed one above another in the order stated, at least (A) a dimensionally stable support, (B) at least one photopolymerizable, relief-forming layer having a layer thickness of 300 to 6000 ?m, comprising at least one elastomeric binder, an ethylenically unsaturated monomer, and a photoinitiator or a photoinitiator system, (C) an oxygen-blocking barrier layer which is transparent to UVA light and has a layer thickness of 0.3 to 5 ?m, (D) a laser-ablatable mask layer having a layer thickness of 0.3 to 5 ?m, comprising at least one elastomeric binder and a material which absorbs UV/VIS light, and (E) a removable outer film, wherein the layers (B), (C) and (D) are soluble or dispersible in an organic solvent, and the barrier layer (C) comprises at least one oxygen-blocking binder and an oligomeric or polymeric basic adhesion component.

Abstract: Digitally imagable flexographic printing elements for producing flexographic printing plates, which comprise an organically soluble relief-forming layer, a water-soluble barrier layer for oxygen, and a water-soluble laser-ablatable mask layer. A method for producing flexographic printing plates using such flexographic printing elements, which comprises a two-stage washout procedure using aqueous and organic washout media.

Abstract: Photopolymerizable, preferably digitally imageable photopolymerizable, flexographic printing elements having a PET support sheet of low thermal shrinkage, methods of preparing such flexographic printing elements and their use for making flexographic printing plates by imagewise exposure to light, washing out with organic solvents and drying, wherein said drying is carried out at temperatures of more than 60° C.

Abstract: Digital imageable flexographic printing elements for producing flexographic printing plates, which are developable using hydrocarbon-comprising washout media and which, between the photopolymerizable layer and the digital imageable layer, have a polar, ultrathin, oxygen-blocking barrier layer. Methods for producing flexographic printing plates using such digital imageable flexographic printing elements, by imaging, exposing, washing out, drying, and post-treating, the washout being formed by means of hydrocarbon-comprising washout media.

Abstract: Process of manufacturing flexagraphic printing firms using digital flexographic printing elements as starting material by imaging, main exposure in the presence of oxygen, development and finishing. The process comprises an additional embossing step in which the surface of the developed printing form is texturized thereby improving the print quality of the printing form.

Abstract: Laminate comprising a) a photopolymerizable relief-forming layer, at least containing an elastomeric binder, ethylenically unsaturated monomers and a photoinitiator and optionally further additives, b) an optionally photopolymerizable elastomeric substrate layer, at least containing an elastomeric binder, optionally ethylenically unsaturated monomers and a photoinitiator and optionally further additives, the relief-forming layer a) having a hardness of 30 to 70° Shore A and the elastomeric substrate layer b) having a hardness of 75° Shore A to 70° Shore D in each case in the photopolymerized state, and the layer b) having a hardness of at least 5° Shore A greater than the layer a).

Abstract: Digitally imagable flexographic printing elements for producing flexographic printing plates, which comprise an organically soluble relief-forming layer, a water-soluble barrier layer for oxygen, and a water-soluble laser-ablatable mask layer. A method for producing flexographic printing plates using such flexographic printing elements, which comprises a two-stage washout procedure using aqueous and organic washout media.

Abstract: Process of manufacturing flexagraphic printing firms using digital flexographic printing elements as starting material by imaging, main exposure in the presence of oxygen, development and finishing. The process comprises an additional embossing step in which the surface of the developed printing form is texturized thereby improving the print quality of the printing form.

Abstract: Methods for producing cylindrical flexographic printing elements, the cylindrical flexographic printing elements having a relief-forming layer, and the relief-forming layer being produced by successive application of a plurality of layers of a relief-forming material in liquid melt form, preferably of a photopolymerizable material in liquid melt form, to a rotating cylindrical sleeve in a continuous process.