Abstract: A flexographic printing roll comprising a rigid base tube having perforations in the form of a plurality of small apertures and a circumferentially stretchable, elastomeric, seamless printing sleeve on said tube strained to grip the tube to retain the sleeve securely on the tube; in which there is provided means on the tube to aid the sliding of the sleeve on the tube. The said means may comprise a circumferential seal which can be pressurized to press on the sleeve and expand it. The said means may comprise an expandable metal segment seal. The said means may comprise a tapering sleeve through which means are provided for applying reducing pressures at points along the surface of the tapering sleeve.

Abstract: A flexographic printing roll is formed by the technique of applying a circumferentially stretchable, elastomeric, engraved, seamless sleeve to a rigid base tube, the sleeve being expanded by air pressure as it is applied to the tube. The base tube has perforations in the form of small apertures and shallow external grooving extending away circumferentially from said apertures.