Abstract: An automated method of preventing edge curing of cut surfaces of photosensitive printing elements is disclosed. Once a photosensitive printing element is cut in a pattern of a desired size and shape, a portion of the coversheet on a periphery of the cut edges of the printing plate is removed, while leaving intact the layer of photocurable material and the optional ablation layer beneath the coversheet. Next, an edge cure prevention composition is applied to the optional ablation layer or the layer of photocurable material revealed by the removal of the portion of the coversheet. Once the edge cure prevention composition is dried, the remainder of the coversheet may be removed from the photosensitive printing element and the printing element may be mounted on a sleeve or cylindrical carrier for further processing. The method ensures that the edge cure prevention composition is applied only to areas where it is needed and does not affect imageable areas of the printing plate.

Abstract: An inkjet printer is used to apply an ink that is substantially opaque to actinic radiation in at least one wavelength region effective to cure the photosensitive printing plate to the edges and corners, of a printing plate after the plate has been trimmed (i.e., cut) to a suitable size and shape for mounting on a printing sleeve or cylinder. Use of inkjet printing allows for the cut surfaces of the plate to quickly and accurately be coated with a UV-opaque ink and prevents, or substantially eliminates, undesirable curing of cut surfaces of a photosensitive printing plate. The ink covers the photocurable surfaces exposed by the cutting process and prevents the cut surfaces of the printing plate from undesirably curing until proper exposure and development of the printing plate.

Abstract: An automated method of preventing edge curing of cut surfaces of photosensitive printing elements is disclosed. Once a photosensitive printing element is cut in a pattern of a desired size and shape, a portion of the coversheet on a periphery of the cut edges of the printing plate is removed, while leaving intact the layer of photocurable material and the optional ablation layer beneath the coversheet. Next, an edge cure prevention composition is applied to the optional ablation layer or the layer of photocurable material revealed by the removal of the portion of the coversheet. Once the edge cure prevention composition is dried, the remainder of the coversheet may be removed from the photosensitive printing element and the printing element may be mounted on a sleeve or cylindrical carrier for further processing. The method ensures that the edge cure prevention composition is applied only to areas where it is needed and does not affect imageable areas of the printing plate.

Abstract: An edge-covering composition for covering the cut surfaces of a photosensitive printing element to prevent premature curing of the cut surfaces during a process of manufacturing the printing element. The edge-covering composition is an emulsion comprising one or more emulsifiers, one or more-ultraviolet radiation-absorbing materials, optionally, a coloring agent, and optionally, one or more additional additives. The emulsion compositions are easy to apply, non-toxic, inexpensive, and are largely compatible with the solvents used to wash uncured photopolymer from the printing elements during processing.

Abstract: An inkjet printer is used to apply an ink that is substantially opaque to actinic radiation in at least one wavelength region effective to cure the photosensitive printing plate to the edges and corners, of a printing plate after the plate has been trimmed (i.e., cut) to a suitable size and shape for mounting on a printing sleeve or cylinder. Use of inkjet printing allows for the cut surfaces of the plate to quickly and accurately be coated with a UV-opaque ink and prevents, or substantially eliminates, undesirable curing of cut surfaces of a photosensitive printing plate. The ink covers the photocurable surfaces exposed by the cutting process and prevents the cut surfaces of the printing plate from undesirably curing until proper exposure and development of the printing plate.

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: 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: 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: 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: 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.