Abstract: The use of biodegradable polymer films in the manufacture of photosensitive relief image printing plates is described, including printing plates produced from liquid photopolymer resins and from sheet polymers as well as direct write/laser engravable printing plates. The biodegradable polymer films can be used as substrate layers, oxygen barrier layers, and coverfilms and, once the printing plates have been used and disposed of, the biodegradable polymer films are capable of decomposing in the environment.

Abstract: Flexographic printing plates and other relief images can be formed from a laser-ablatable element having a laser-ablatable layer that is from about 300 to about 4,000 ?m in thickness. The laser-ablatable layer includes a film-forming material that is a laser-laser-ablatable material or the film-forming material has dispersed therein a laser-ablatable material. The laser-ablatable material is a polymeric material that when heated to 300° C. at a rate of 10° C./minute, loses at least 60% of its mass to form at least one predominant low molecular weight product. The laser-ablatable material also comprises at least 0.01 weight % of a depolymerization catalyst that is a Lewis acid or organometallic based catalyst. The element can be imaged by ablation at an energy of at least 1 J/cm2 to provide a relief image.

Abstract: A method of making a relief image printing element from a photosensitive printing blank is provided. A photosensitive printing blank with a laser ablatable layer disposed on at least one photocurable layer is ablated with a laser to create an in situ mask. The printing blank is then exposed to at least one source of actinic radiation through the in situ mask to selectively cross link and cure portions of the photocurable layer. Diffusion of air into the at least one photocurable layer is limited during the exposing step and preferably at least one of the type, power and incident angle of illumination of the at least one source of actinic radiation is altered during the exposure step. The resulting relief image comprises a plurality of dots and a dot shape of the plurality of dots is produced that is highly resistant to print fluting for printing on corrugated board.

Abstract: A relief (or flexographic) printing precursor has first and second radiation-sensitive layers, or a plurality of radiation-sensitive layers. The first radiation-sensitive layer is sensitive to a first imaging radiation having a first ?max. The second radiation-sensitive layer is disposed on the first radiation-sensitive layer and is sensitive to a second imaging radiation having a second ?max that differs from the first ?max by at least 25 nm. An infrared radiation ablatable layer can be present and is opaque or insensitive to the first and second imaging radiations and contains an infrared radiation absorbing compound. These relief printing precursors can be used to prepare flexographic printing plates, cylinders, or sleeves where the ablatable layer is used to form an integral mask on the element. Use of the invention provides a relief image without any loss in the strength of the small dots and can be carried out using multiple irradiation steps using the same apparatus.

Abstract: A flexography substrate for making I-plates with liquid photopolymers has, in addition to the tie-coat applied to one side to hold the photopolymers in place on the substrate, a micro-porous coating applied to the other side, enabling a masking image to be applied to it using an inkjet printer. In this way, one single sheet of film performs the dual role of substrate and I-plate masking film. By eliminating a sheet of film, the invention provides cost, quality, and environmental benefits.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for printing a material onto a substrate with a relief printing form made from a photosensitive element. The method includes forming an in-situ mask having a line screen resolution equal to or greater than 250 lines per inch on the photosensitive element, exposing the element to actinic radiation through the in-situ mask in an environment having an inert gas and a concentration of oxygen between 190,000 and 100 ppm, and treating the exposed element to form a relief structure having a plurality of raised surfaces with a line screen resolution equal to or greater than 250 lines per inch. Printing is accomplished by applying an imaging material to the plurality of raised surfaces and contacting to transfer the imaging material to the substrate. The method is suitable for printing high resolution graphic images, as well as for forming a uniform layer of imaging material on the substrate.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a method for preparing a composite printing form from a photosensitive element and a carrier using a template. The photosensitive element is located on the carrier by positioning the element through cutout portions in the template. The method is particularly suited for preparing composite printing forms for relief printing, and in particular for preparing composite printing forms for flexographic printing of corrugated substrates.

Abstract: A laser-ablatable element for direct laser engraving has a laser-ablatable, relief-forming layer that has a relief-image forming surface and a bottom surface. This relief-forming layer includes a laser-ablatable polymeric binder and an infrared radiation absorbing compound that is present at a concentration profile such that its concentration is greater near the bottom surface than the image-forming surface. This arrangement of the infrared radiation absorbing compound provides improved ablation efficiency, particularly when laser exposure is carried out adiabatically.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preparing a relief printing form from a photosensitive element that includes a photopolymerizable composition layer having an exterior surface and capable of being partially liquefied. The method includes the steps of (a) heating the exterior surface of the photopolymerizable composition layer to a temperature sufficient to cause a portion of the layer to liquefy, forming the liquefied material; and (b) removing the liquefied material; wherein the heating step is performed using vibrationally-induced frictional energy.

Abstract: The invention relates to an imaging element and a method of using the imaging element to form a recording element. The imaging element includes a composition sensitive to actinic radiation from a source of radiation having a range of wavelengths and a photoluminescent tag that is responsive to at least one wavelength from the source of radiation. The photoluminescent tag can be used to authenticate the identity of the element, provide information about the element, and/or to establish one or more conditions in a device used to prepare the recording element from the imaging element.

Abstract: A method of making a relief image printing element from a photosensitive printing blank is provided. The method comprising the steps of: 1) providing a photosensitive printing blank comprising a backing layer, at least one layer of photoresin on top of the backing layer and a removable coversheet on top of the at least one layer of photoresin; 2) imaging the photosensitive printing blank through the removable coversheet using a laser to create a relief image therein; and 3) removing the removable coversheet.

Abstract: A composition for forming an adhesive layer which results in strong adhesion force between a substrate and a photosensitive resin layer, and which does not cause transfer of the constituting components to the substrate, a relief printing plate using the same, and a method for manufacturing a relief printing plate are provided. The composition of the present invention comprises (a) a carboxyl group-containing polymer, and (b) an oxazoline group-containing polymer. Adhesive layer 20 formed using the composition of the present invention can be preferably used as an adhesive layer that adheres between substrate 10 and photosensitive resin layer 30 in a relief printing plate.

Abstract: Processes comprising providing a layer composite comprising a layer of photopolymerizable material and a removable substrate film disposed on one side of the layer of photopolymerizable material, wherein the photopolymerizable material comprises an elastomeric binder, an ethylenically unsaturated monomer and a photoinitiator; and (a) miter-cutting two edges of the layer composite to be joined, to form two miter-cut ends; (b) providing a hollow cylinder on a rotatably mounted support cylinder, wherein the hollow cylinder has an outer surface and is in a temporarily locked position relative to the support cylinder; (c) applying an adhesion-promoting layer to the outer surface of the hollow cylinder; (d) applying the layer composite to the hollow cylinder bearing the adhesive-promoting layer, wherein the layer composite is disposed on the hollow cylinder such that the removable substrate film faces away from the hollow cylinder and the two miter-cut ends lie substantially one on top of the other, but not overlap

Abstract: A method for developing an imaged and exposed photopolymer printing element is disclosed where the printing element is heated to a temperature sufficient to selectively melt or soften the non-cured portions of the photopolymer such that the softened or melted non-cured photopolymer is removable from the printing element by contacting the heated printing element with a blotter. The image of the removed non-cured photopolymer is obscured by using a darkly colored blotter thereby increasing the security of the printing operation.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a method for preparing a printing form from a photosensitive element having a support and a layer of photopolymerizable material adjacent the support. The method includes exposing the photosensitive element through an image mask and through a backside mask, treating the exposed element to form a relief region and to provide an unexposed region of the photopolymerizable material remaining on the support, and removing the unexposed region from the relief region, wherein the relief region remains on the support as the printing form. The method is particularly suited for preparing a composite printing form from the printing form, and in particular for preparing composite printing forms for relief printing of corrugated substrates.

Abstract: Using a photosensitive resin structure having an ablation layer for a photosensitive resin for a relief printing that is capable of being processed by infrared radiation and containing an anionic polymer, a relief printing plate is produced by drawing a pattern by irradiating the ablation layer with infrared radiation; exposing the pattern by irradiating the photosensitive resin layer with ultraviolet radiation; and removing the ablation layer and unexposed photosensitive resin layer with a developer.

Abstract: A method of making a relief image on a flexographic print plate including imagewise exposing a mask including an imageable material disposed on a mask substrate to form an imaged mask having a mask image in the imageable material disposed on the mask substrate, the mask image including mask image areas each having a highlight value. The method further includes laminating the imaged mask to a front surface of a flexographic printing plate precursor, and exposing selected areas of the flexographic printing plate precursor to an imagewise addressable curing radiation via a back surface of the flexographic printing plate precursor based on the highlight values of corresponding mask image areas of the mask image.

Abstract: A method of forming a thin film pattern includes: providing a printing roller and a substrate including a thin film; coating the printing roller with an etch-resist solution including a base polymer, a carrier solvent, a tackifier and a surfactant; removing the carrier solvent from the coated etch-resist solution thereby transitioning the etch-resist solution from liquid phase to solid phase; patterning the solid etch-resist; transferring the patterned etch-resist from the printing roller to the substrate; and patterning the thin film corresponding to the transferred etch-resist.

Abstract: Flexographic printing plates are produced by thermal development by a process in which an imagewise exposed flexographic printing element is developed by heating and removing the softened, unpolymerized parts of the relief-forming layer, the flexographic printing element containing a styrene/butadiene block copolymer as a mixture with a plasticizer, and the proportion of butadiene which is present in 1,2-linked form being from 15 to 50% by weight, based on the block copolymer.

Abstract: Provided are an original printing plate for relief printing that solves both the problems of the prior-art negative film or its alternatives, and problems of mask pattern formation directly on the surface of the photosensitive resin layer by an ink composition, as well as a method for forming an relief printing plate using the same.

Abstract: A photosensitive laminated original printing plate for letterpress printing that does not contaminate developers, being capable of suppressing a cost increase due to developer replacement and is of high quality; and a process for producing a letterpress printing plate using the photosensitive laminated original printing plate for letterpress printing.

Abstract: A method includes removing the previously imaged area (120) from the flexographic plate (104) to create an opening in the flexographic plate; providing a portion (108) from a flexographic plate built from similar material of the previously imaged flexographic plate; adding adhesive material (116) to the portion or to the opening or to the portion and to the opening; placing the opening within the portion; curing the adhesive material to permanently fix the portion to the flexographic plate; polishing the top (508) of the portion to match to the top surface (504) of the flexographic plate; and imaging the portion.

Abstract: A processing solution useful for providing flexographic relief images includes one or more esters of monobasic carboxylic acids represented by one or both of the following Structures (I) and (II): R1—C(?O)O—(CH2)n—Ar1??(I) wherein R1 is an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, Ar1 is a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl or naphthyl group, and n is 1 to 3, and H—C(?O)OR??(II) wherein R is a hydrocarbon having 6 to 15 carbon atoms, and b. one or more aliphatic alcohols, or a combination of one or more aliphatic alcohols and one or more aromatic alcohols.

Abstract: A process for making a relief printing plate is provided that includes a layer formation step of forming a relief-forming layer from a resin composition that contains (Component A) a compound having a hydrolyzable silyl group and/or a silanol group, (Component B) a binder polymer, and (Component C) a peroxide, a crosslinking step of thermally crosslinking the relief-forming layer to thus obtain a relief printing plate precursor having a crosslinked relief-forming layer, and an engraving step of laser-engraving the relief printing plate precursor having a crosslinked relief-forming layer to thus form a relief layer.

Abstract: A process for making a relief printing plate is provided, the process including a layer formation step of forming a relief-forming layer from a resin composition containing (Component A) a compound having a hydrolyzable silyl group and/or a silanol group and (Component B) a conjugated diene monomer unit-containing polymer, and at least either further containing (Component C) a vulcanizing agent having a sulfur atom or Component A above being a compound further having a sulfur atom, a crosslinking step of thermally crosslinking the relief-forming layer to thus obtain a relief printing starting plate having a crosslinked relief-forming layer, and an engraving step of laser-engraving the relief printing starting plate having a crosslinked relief-forming layer to thus form a relief layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to printable security paper that includes a region capable of receiving printed indicia on the front side and on the reverse side which are observable in reflected light and form an image observable in transmitted light, as security element protecting against two-sided copying, characterized in that such region is a screened region having an average overall opacity less than the opacity of the vellum part of the rest of the paper, said screened region being made up from alternations of vellum miniregions, having an approximately constant thickness equal to that of the vellum part of the rest of the paper, and of miniregions of reduced opacity because of their smaller thickness compared with the vellum miniregions. The invention also relates to the security document obtained with this paper.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an ink receptive film and methods of using the ink receptive film. The ink receptive film is generally suitable for etching patterns into substrates, and typically includes a photosensitive laminate structure containing at least an ink receptive, radiation transmissive layer; and at least one photosensitive resist layer.

Abstract: A relief image printing element with an integral imageable printing surface and a method of preparing the relief image printing element are described. The relief image printing element comprises a dimensionally stable base layer; a floor layer comprised of a cured polymer selected from the group consisting of photopolymers, and polymers with a resilience of at least 40% when cured; and at least one layer of an imageable material. Most preferably, the floor layer created by curing the layer through the top of the printing element by face exposure. The printing element may also contain a compressible layer between the base layer and the floor layer.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for thermally developing a flexographic printing element to reveal a relief image on the surface and a method of using the apparatus to develop a flexographic printing element. The apparatus typically comprises means for softening or melting a crosslinked photopolymer on the imaged and exposed surface of the flexographic printing element; at least one roll that is contactable with the imaged surface of the flexographic printing element and capable of moving over at least a portion of the imaged surface of the flexographic printing element to remove the softened or melted non-crosslinked photopolymer on the imaged and exposed surface of the flexographic printing element; and means for maintaining contact between the at least one roll and the imaged and exposed surface of the flexographic printing element. A layer of resilient compressible material is positioned between the flexographic printing element and a supporting conveying means.

Abstract: Provided is a new photo-curable resin composition which can be used in a photo nanoimprinting technology available for a photo nanoimprinting technology by which a substrate is processed with high accuracy. The photo-curable resin composition contains a photo-curable resin material essentially containing a (meth)acrylate, a reactive diluent, and a photo initiator. Preferably, the (meth)acrylate has a structure containing a benzene ring structure in its skeleton.

Abstract: The invention comprises methods for the photolithographic patterning of features in a photo-curable polymer composition coated onto a plastic substrate. In one embodiment of this invention, the plastic substrate is coated with a reflective film such as a metallic barrier. In another embodiment, the plastic substrate is coated or co-extruded with a polymer barrier layer containing an additive that absorbs the photo-curing radiation. In yet another embodiment the plastic substrate contains an intrinsic additive that absorbs the photo-curing radiation. Combinations of these embodiments are also within the scope of this invention. The methods of the present invention may be advantageously applied to the fabrication of optical waveguides comprising a photo-curable polymer supported on a plastic substrate, but are applicable to the fabrication of any device or object comprising a photo-curable polymer supported on a plastic substrate.

Abstract: A method of making a relief image printing element from a photosensitive printing blank is provided. A photosensitive printing blank with a laser ablatable layer disposed on at least one photocurable layer is ablated with a laser to create an in situ mask. The printing blank is then exposed to at least one source of actinic radiation through the in situ mask to selectively cross link and cure portions of the photocurable layer. Diffusion of air into the at least one photocurable layer is limited during the exposing step and preferably at least one of the type, power and incident angle of illumination of the at least one source of actinic radiation is altered during the exposure step. The resulting relief image comprises a plurality of dots and a dot shape of the plurality of dots is produced that is highly resistant to print fluting for printing on corrugated board.

Abstract: A resin composition for laser engraving is provided that includes (a) a binder polymer having a reactive group, (b) a compound having a hydrophilic group and a bonding group that can react with the reactive group, and (c) a crosslinking agent.

Abstract: A resin composition for laser engraving, including at least a phenol derivative (A) represented by the following Formula (A), a binder polymer (B), and a crosslinking agent (C), wherein the content of the phenol derivative (A) with respect to the total solid content of the resin composition is from 5% by mass to 50% by mass:

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a relief printing plate for forming a high-definition pattern by a printing method, having a convex part comprising a resin layer, a base material supporting the convex part and a light reflection controlling layer, the light wave length being in range of 400 nm-800 nm, and the layer being between the convex part and the base material.

Abstract: A photosensitive resin composition for a laser engravable printing substrate, comprising resin (a) having a polymerizable unsaturated group whose number average molecular weight is in the range of 1000 to 20×104, organic compound (b) having a polymerizable unsaturated group whose number average molecular weight is <1000 and organosilicon compound (c) having at least one Si—O bond in each molecule and having no polymerizable unsaturated group in molecules, wherein the content of organosilicon compound (c) is in the range of 0.1 to 10 wt. % based on the whole of photosensitive resin composition.

Abstract: A processing solution is used to provide flexographic relief printing plates. This solution includes diisopropylbenzene, and one or more organic co-solvents, at least one of which is an aliphatic dibasic acid ester. The processing solution may also include one or more alcohols as co-solvents.

Abstract: To provide a negative photosensitive fluorinated aromatic resin composition having a low relative permittivity, low water absorptivity, high heat resistance and high productivity. A negative photosensitive fluorinated aromatic resin composition comprising the following fluorinated aromatic prepolymer, a photosensitizer and a solvent.

Abstract: A system and method for manufacturing a memorial. The method providing a blank pattern in a memorial design and collaboration system having a specified shape and size and building a memorial preview thereon, then sending the memorial preview to a host computer. The host computer routes the memorial preview as a stored file to a manufacturer for projecting, onto a three-dimensional solid in the shape of said blank pattern, an image of said memorial preview. The method further includes creating a pattern by placing objects in the form of letters, emblems or numbers on the three-dimensional solid in connection with the projection, and creating a mold in connection with the pattern, and filling said mold and baking the filled mold.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a method for preparing a composite printing form from a single precursor that is capable of forming a relief and a carrier. The single precursor can be a single photosensitive element or a single laser-engravable print element having a reinforced elastomeric layer. The single precursor has a size that is at least 70% of a size of the carrier. The single precursor is located on the carrier by approximately positioning the precursor on the carrier that has no registration markings. Precise registration of the single precursor is achieved by using digital information generated from a computer to create the registered image on the composite form. The method is particularly suited for preparing composite printing forms for relief printing, and in particular for preparing composite printing forms for flexographic printing of corrugated substrates.

Abstract: The invention concerns a security document comprising, as security element against recto/verso copying, indicia present on both sides and capable of being viewed under reflected lighting and forming an image capable of being viewed under transmitted light. The invention is characterized in that said indicia comprise lines and form said image with 3D effect.

Abstract: A system for engraving flexographic printing plates includes a flexographic printing plate comprised of at least two ablation layers, a printing ablation layer and a non-printing ablation layer. In addition the system includes a laser source adapted to ablate the flexographic plate. The laser source is comprised of a first group of one or more radiation sources each emitting radiation on the printing ablation layer, and a second group of one or more radiation sources each emitting radiation on the non-printing ablation layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing a relief image arrangement, usable especially in the fields of flexography, embossing and heliogravure, and comprising a base layer and a layer of photosensitive material fixed on the base layer. The method is of the type according to which an image is produced on the photosensitive layer by causing selective curing by irradiating the zones that are to be in relief with light of a predetermined wavelength. The method is characterized in that the image is produced in the form of a set of points to which a substantially pyramidal shape is given, widening out in the direction of the base layer (5). The invention is usable for producing relief images, in the field of flexography.

Abstract: Compounds of the formula (I), wherein X is a single bond, CRaRbO, S, NRc or NCORc; Z is formula (II) or C3-C20heteroaryl; L, L1, L2, L3, L4, L5, L6, L7 and L8 for example independently of one another are hydrogen or an organic substituent; Ra, Rb and Rc independently of one another are hydrogen or an organic substituent; R is for example is C5-C20heteroaryl or C6-C14 aryl; and Y is an inorganic or organic anion; are suitable as photolatent acid generators.

Abstract: Compounds of the Formula (I), wherein L1, L?1, L?1, L2, L?2, L?2, L3, L?3, L?3, L4, L?4 and L?4 for example are hydrogen or COT; R, R? and R? for example are hydrogen, C6-C12aryl or C3-C20heteroaryl; X, X? and X? for example are O, S, single bond, NRa or NCORa, T is for example hydrogen, C1-C20alkyl, C3-C12cycloalkyl, C2-C20alkenyl, C5-C12cycloalkenyl, C7-C18cycloalkylenaryl, C5-C18cycloalkylenheteroaryl, C6-C14aryl, providedthat at least one of R, R? or R? is unsubstituted or substituted C3-C20heteroaryl; and Y is an inorganic or organic anion; are suitable as photolatent acid generators.

Abstract: Compounds of the formula (I), wherein X is a single bond, CRaRb O, S, NRC, NCORC, CO, SO or SO2; L, L1, L2, L3, L4, L5, L6, L7 and L8 are for example hydrogen, R1 or COT; T denotes T1 or O-T2; T1 and T2 for example are hydrogen, C1-C20alkyl, C3-C12cycloalkyl, C2-C20alkenyl, C5-C12cycloalkenyl, C6-C14aryl, C3-C12heteroaryl, C1-C20alkyl substituted by one or more D, C2-C20alkyl interrupted by one or more E, C2-C20alkyl substituted by one or more D and interrupted by one or more E or Q; R1, R2, R3, R4, Ra, Rb and Rc are T1; D is for example R5, OR5, SR5 or Q1; E is for example O, S, COO or Q2; R5 and R6 for example are hydrogen, C1-C12alkyl or phenyl; Q is for example C6-C12bicycloalkyl, C6-C12bicycloalkenyl or C6-C12tricycloalkyl; Q1 is for example, C6-C14aryl or C3-C12heteroaryl; Q2 is for example C6-C14arylene or C3-C12heteroarylene; Y is an anion; and M is a cation; provided that at least one of L, L1, L2, L3, L4, L5, L6, L7 and L8 is other than hydrogen; and provided that (i) at least one of T1 or T2 is a g

Abstract: The invention relates to photopolymerizable flexographic printing elements which contain ethylenically unsaturated, alicyclic monomers and hard flexographic printing plates, in particular cylindrical continuous seamless flexographic printing plates, which can be produced therefrom.

Abstract: Flexographic printing plates and other relief images can be formed from a laser-ablatable element having a laser-ablatable layer that is from about 300 to about 4,000 ?m in thickness. The laser-ablatable layer includes a film-forming material that is a laser-laser-ablatable material or the film-forming material has dispersed therein a laser-ablatable material. The laser-ablatable material is a polymeric material that when heated to 300° C. at a rate of 10° C./minute, loses at least 60% of its mass to form at least one predominant low molecular weight product. The laser-ablatable material also comprises at least 0.01 weight % of a depolymerization catalyst that is a Lewis acid or organometallic based catalyst. The element can be imaged by ablation at an energy of at least 1 J/cm2 to provide a relief image.

Abstract: An optical imaging head for direct engraving of flexographic printing plates, comprising: at least two groups of radiation sources, each group comprising at least one radiation source, wherein the radiation sources within each group emit radiation having the same intensity and spot size, different from the intensity and spot size of radiation sources in the other groups, said groups of radiation sources operating simultaneously.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of a polymeric relief structure comprising the steps of coating a substrate with a coating composition comprising one or more radiation-sensitive ingredients, locally treating the coated substrate with electromagnetic radiation having a periodic or random radiation-intensity pattern, forming a latent image, and polymerizing and/or crosslinking the resulting coated substrate, wherein the coating composition comprises one or more RAFT agents.