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 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 provides a method to form a pattern of functional material on a substrate for use in electronic devices and components. The method uses a stamp having a relief structure to transfer a mask material to a substrate and form a pattern of open area on the substrate. The functional material is applied to the substrate in at least the open area. Contact of an adhesive material to an exterior surface opposite the substrate and separation of the adhesive from the substrate forms the pattern of functional material on the substrate. The method is suitable for the fabrication of microcircuitry for electronic devices and components.

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: The invention provides a method and apparatus for mounting two or more cylindrically-shaped printing forms onto a cylindrically-shaped base. The base can be a print cylinder or an adapter mounted onto a print cylinder. The method and apparatus provide for positioning the two or more printing forms in register on the base. The two or more printing forms are axially oriented on the base using pressurized air as an air cushion between the base and the printing forms, positioned in a registration position, and engaged by a holding member to maintain the two or more printing forms in their respective registration position.

Abstract: A donor element useful in an assemblage for imaging by exposure to light comprises a support layer, a light-to-heat conversion layer disposed adjacent the support layer containing a light absorber, and a transfer layer disposed adjacent the light-to-heat conversion layer opposite the support layer. The donor element also includes a release-modifier disposed between the support layer and the transfer layer.

Abstract: This invention relates to a photosensitive element for use as a flexographic printing plate and a process for preparing the plate from the element. The photosensitive element has at least one photopolymerizable elastomeric layer that comprises a binder, a monomer, a photoinitiator, an onium salt, and a leuco dye. Upon exposure to actinic radiation, the onium salt and leuco dye react resulting in a change of color in polymerized portions of the photopolymerizable layer. The color change provides enhanced image color contrast in the photosensitive element.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for making a printing form having a relief surface on a floor from a photosensitive element. The method involves generating a polymerization rate curve for the photosensitive element from a step exposure test by measuring a cure response, such as floor thickness or one or more relief image characteristic/s, of the element relative to an energy density of a source of actinic radiation. The method exposes a photosensitive element to the source of actinic radiation based on energy density that accounts for changes in intensity of lamps used for the source of actinic radiation.

Abstract: A process for preparing a flexographic printing plate comprising providing a photosensitive element comprising a support and at least one photopolymerizable layer, providing a photomask adjacent the photopolymerizable layer opposite the support, exposing the photosensitive element with ultraviolet radiation between 200 and 300 nm through the photomask, exposing the photosensitive element with ultraviolet radiation between 310 and 400 nm through the photomask to photopolymerize areas of the photopolymerizable layer, and treating the exposed photosensitive element to remove unpolymerized areas, thereby forming a relief surface suitable for printing.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a method and apparatus for thermally developing a photosensitive element, and particularly to a method and apparatus for supporting the photosensitive element with a removable flexible support member during thermal treatment.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a donor element comprising a support layer, a transfer layer supported by the support layer, and a second layer disposed between the support layer and the transfer layer, wherein the second layer contains a binder and optionally an uncured crosslinking agent, but substantially no pigment. The binder in the second layer has a molecular weight Mn that causes the second layer to be substantially transferred with the transfer layer when the donor element is exposed to light.

Abstract: The invention is a process for producing an optimised printing form comprising printing onto a substrate with a printing form with predetermined raster percentages on the printing press to obtain a test print in form of a stepped wedge with raster patches, measuring the reflectance spectrum of each raster patch, determining associated colorimetric values L*,a*,b* from the reflectance spectrum, transforming the colorimetric values L*,a*,b* for each raster patch in linear correlation with the color perception of the human eye, using the formula RCD = ( L * ? rasterpatch - L * ? substrate ) 2 + ( a * ? rasterpatch - a * ? substrate ) 2 + ( b * ? rasterpatch - b * ? substrate ) 2 ( L * ? solidshade - L * ? substrate ) 2 + ( a * ? solidshade - a * ? substrate ) 2 + ( b * ? solidshade - b * ? substrate ) 2 · 100 ? [ % ] wherein RCD is the relative colorimetric difference expresse

Abstract: In a method of using a donor element in a radiation-induced thermal transfer process, an assemblage is provided that includes a donor element and a receiver element, wherein the donor element has a support layer and a transfer layer having one side adjacent the support layer and the other side adjacent the receiver element. After image-wise exposing the assemblage to radiation whereby a portion of the transfer layer is transferred to the receiver element, relative movement between the support layer and the receiver element is provided before separating the donor element from the receiver element. Advantages include improved edge straightness, image width predictability, improved thermal mass transfer, and improved color filters.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for thermally developing a photosensitive element. The thermal development method includes heating the photosensitive element to a temperature sufficient to cause a portion of a composition layer in the element to liquefy, soften, or melt, contacting the heated photosensitive element with a development medium to absorb the liquefied portion at a contact location, and removing the development medium from the photosensitive element with a remover at a location away from the contact location.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a method and apparatus for thermally developing a photosensitive element. The photosensitive element includes a composition layer capable of being partially liquefied upon heating. Heating the layer causes one or more organic compounds in the layer to form a vapor. Oxidation of the vapor forms carbon dioxide and water vapor and reduces the need to manage waste streams containing the organic compounds.

Abstract: The invention pertains to an apparatus and a process for forming a printing form from a photosensitive element having a cylindrical support, and in particular, to an apparatus and a process for thermally treating the photosensitive element to form a relief pattern and particularly to form a cylindrically-shaped flexographic printing form. The apparatus and process includes supporting the cylindrical support to accommodate thermal treating of photosensitive elements with various sizes of the cylindrical support.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a method and apparatus for thermally developing a photosensitive element, and particularly to a method and apparatus for supporting the photosensitive element with a removable flexible support member during thermal treatment.

Abstract: A donor element useful in an assemblage for imaging by exposure to light comprises a support layer formed by a stretching process, a light-to-heat conversion layer disposed adjacent the support layer containing a light absorber, and a transfer layer disposed adjacent the light-to-heat conversion layer opposite the support layer. The light-to-heat conversion layer is coated on the support prior to completion of the stretching process.

Abstract: The invention provides a thermal transfer donor element comprising a support layer and a transfer layer supported by the support layer and comprising a binder containing carboxylic acid groups. The transfer layer includes an organic compound containing a plurality of hydroxyl groups with a hydroxyl group concentration of less than 18 mM/g and at least one connecting group, wherein the organic compound is free of any N,N-bis-(2-hydroxyethyl)amide and any rosin ester. In another embodiment, a method of using the donor element is provided, particularly in the manufacture of a color filter.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for thermally developing a photosensitive element to form a relief pattern. The method includes heating a composition layer of the element to cause a portion of the layer to liquefy and providing a development medium under tension to the element to absorb the liquefied composition. The development medium includes an absorbent material and a support, the combination of which minimizes stretch and distortion of the absorbent material and can impede the migration of the liquefied composition through the absorbent material.