Abstract: Laser-imageable flexographic printing plates and a method of making same are disclosed. A thin polymeric film doped with a UV absorber is laminated to a photopolymer layer. The film is ablated from the photopolymer using a laser operating at a selected wavelength to create an in situ negative. The resulting negative can be subjected to typical UV flood exposure and development.

Abstract: The invention relates to a printing cylinder that includes a support cylinder, at least one printing sleeve for mounting the support cylinder, and a recess provided on a lateral face of the sleeve and emerging from an interior wall, and at least one indexing device borne by the support cylinder and that can project from it, the recess and each indexing device cooperating in order to mount the sleeve on the support cylinder while registering its position. According to the invention, the printing sleeve has at least one ring in an extension of an interior wall and which projects from the lateral face. The ring protects the sleeve from impacts between it and the indexing device during mounting of the sleeve on the support cylinder.

Abstract: Laser-imageable flexographic printing plates and a method of making same are disclosed. A thin polymeric film doped with a UV absorber is laminated to a photopolymer layer. The film is ablated from the photopolymer using a laser operating at a selected wavelength to create an in situ negative. The resulting negative can be subjected to typical UV flood exposure and development.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of making a laser imaged printing plate. First, a solid, uncured printing plate is modified with both a UV absorber and an IR absorber. This is most conveniently done by constructing a multilayer slip film comprising at least two layers wherein at least one layer comprises a strong UV absorber, and wherein at least one other layer comprises an IR absorber having high absorptivity. The multilayer slip film is already adapted for use with a printing plate and is applied in the usual fashion to the surface of the uncured printing plate. The printing plate with the multilayer slip film can be stored for a time, or used immediately, as the printer's needs dictate. In use, the multilayer slip film is ablated from the photopolymer using an IR laser operating at a selected wavelength to create an in situ negative. The resulting negative can be subjected to typical UV flood exposure and development.

Abstract: High-quality composite printing elements are prepared without the need for precise registration of constituent photocurable elements by disposing at least one photocurable element, and preferably a plurality of photocurable elements, upon a surface of a printing element in approximate register and then transferring a computer-generated negative onto a surface of the elements.

Abstract: Laser-imageable flexographic printing plates and a method of making same are disclosed. A thin polymeric film doped with a UV absorber is laminated to a photopolymer layer. The film is ablated from the photopolymer using a laser operating at a selected wavelength to create an in situ negative. The resulting negative can be subjected to typical UV flood exposure and development.

Abstract: Laser-imageable flexographic printing plates and a method of making same are disclosed. A thin polymeric film doped with a UV absorber is laminated to a photopolymer layer. The film is ablated from the photopolymer using a laser operating at a selected wavelength to create an in situ negative. The resulting negative can be subjected to typical UV flood exposure and development.

Abstract: Laser-imageable flexographic printing plates and a method of making same are disclosed. A thin polymeric film doped with a UV absorber is laminated to a photopolymer layer. The film is ablated from the photopolymer using a laser operating at a selected wavelength to create an in situ negative. The resulting negative can be subjected to typical UV flood exposure and development.

Abstract: High-quality composite printing elements are prepared without the need for precise registration of constituent photocurable elements by disposing at least one photocurable element, and preferably a plurality of photocurable elements, upon a surface of a substantially planar carrier sheet in approximate register and then transferring a computer-generated negative onto a surface of the elements.

Abstract: Methods are provided for producing relief images having improved fidelity and resolution. The methods comprise positioning an image-bearing negative transparency closely adjacent and substantially parallel to a layer of a photocurable material; positioning on the other side of the negative from the photocurable material and in substantially parallel relationship thereto; providing a collimator that has first and second opposing major faces and comprises at least one cell that extends from said first collimator face to said second collimator face and is defined by at least one surface that substantially absorbs actinic radiation incident upon said surface; positioning said collimator opposite a photographic negative that is adjacent a layer of photocurable material; and passing actinic radiation through said collimator for a time sufficient to form a latent relief image in the photocurable material.

Abstract: Butadiene-polyether prepolymers which can be used in photopolymer resins are prepared by reacting butadiene homopolymer with a stoichiometric excess of isocyanate and then reacting the product with polyether diol. Thereafter the composition is reacted with hydroxyalkyl(meth)acrylate and alkyldialkanolamine. Flexographic printing plates may be prepared using photopolymer resin comprising butadiene-polyether prepolymers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for off-contact imaging solid relief printing plates and, in particular, to methods for imaging solid photocurable elements through a negative, where there is a gap between the solid photocurable element and the negative. The present invention also relates to printing plates produced by these methods.

Abstract: Substantially transparent printing blankets are provided comprising a substantially transparent printing layer disposed upon a substantially transparent support layer. The substantial transparency of such printing blankets permits off-press introduction of knock-out areas. In certain embodiments, this is accomplished by disposing the support layer of the printing blanket adjacent to a substrate which bears either an image to be printed or some other print transfer information (such as a negative) corresponding to the image. The print transfer information then is viewed through the printing blanket to identify portions of the underlying substrate which bear information indicating that print should not appear on a corresponding portion of the coated substrate. After such portions are identified, the printing layer is removed from the support layer in those areas of the printing blanket which are adjacent to the identified portions of the substrate.

Abstract: Multilayer printing plates having layers with differing moduli are made by exposing through a photographic negative a plurality of layers comprising a solid photocurable cap and al least one liquid photocurable layer.

Abstract: Laser-imageable flexographic printing plates and a method of making same are disclosed. A thin polymeric film doped with a UV absorber is laminated to a photopolymer layer. The film is ablated from the photopolymer using a laser operating at a selected wavelength to create an in situ negative. The resulting negative can be subjected to typical UV flood exposure and development.

Abstract: Photocurable compositions and methods for making same are provided. The compositions comprise at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer, at least one photoinitiator, and at least one water dispersible ethylenically unsaturated rubber. The ethylenically unsaturated rubber is rendered water dispersible by reaction of olefinic functionality therein with a hydrophilic diene. The resulting water-dispersible ethylenically unsaturated rubber is then blended with one or more ethylenically unsaturated monomers and one or more photoinitiators.

Abstract: Aqueous developable photocurable compositions are provided. The compositions can be formed from a latex polymer and a rubber, and are water dispersible. The compositions are useful in forming flexographic printing plates.

Abstract: Ionomeric polymers are provided which are dispersible in aqueous solvents yet which cross-link with ethylenically unsaturated monomers to form matrices having relatively low solubility in such solvents. The polymers can be incorporated into photocurable composition for use, for example, in photocurable printing elements.

Abstract: High-quality composite printing elements are prepared without the need for precise registration of constituent photocurable elements by disposing at least one photocurable element, and preferably a plurality of photocurable elements, upon a surface of a substantially planar carrier sheet in approximate register and then transferring a computer-generated negative onto a surface of the elements.

Abstract: An exemplary method for manufacturing a printing plate from photocurable elements comprises the step of extruding a photocurable polymer onto a moving carrier to achieve self-lamination in a nip-free manner.