Abstract: A light valve for use in an imaging head for imaging a regular pattern with relatively large imaged areas in a pre-determined orientation has low resolution channels and high resolution channels corresponding to the pattern to be imaged.

Abstract: A certified proofing method is disclosed that includes receiving a printable sheet and automatically detecting at least one feature of at least one component of a proofing process bearing on its quality. The method also includes automatically evaluating at least one result of the step of detecting, printing print data on the printable sheet, and generating a certification notice for the printable sheet in response to a positive electromagnetic result signal from the step of evaluating.

Abstract: A method is provided for reducing UV exposure to edges of a printing plate which occurs when the printing plate is subjected to UV illumination. The method involves a spray head comprising one or more spray nozzles for spraying edge masking material toward the printing plate and a controller connected to control relative movement between the spray head and the printing plate. The method comprises receiving, at the controller, information related to the locations of the edges of the printing plate. In response to the information received at the controller, the controller provides controlled relative movement between the spray head and the printing plate causes the spray nozzles to spray edge masking material onto the edges of the printing plate. The method may be performed by a variety of apparatus.

Abstract: An imaging engine for preparing a flexographic printing precursor that is to be printed in lane sections or with a staggered seam is equipped with an edge detection system for determining the location of seams between abutting precursor sections.

Abstract: A document's reader order list of pages represented in an imposition description file are decoupled from any single imposition. The decoupling mechanism is a software object called a pageset having positions associated with the pages of the document. A pageset may be associated with more than one imposition plan; more than one pageset may be associated with a single imposition plan; or more than one pageset can be associated with more than one imposition plan.