Abstract: A process for making a multilayer flexographic printing plate which involves reinforcing and laser engraving a multilayer flexographic printing element.

Abstract: A process for making a single layer flexographic printing plate which involves reinforcing and laser engraving a single layer flexographic printing element.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a plasticized polyvinyl alcohol release composition for an aqueous or semi-aqueous processible flexographic printing plate comprising:(a) at least 60% of a substantially hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohol based on the total weight of the release composition; and(b) at least 8% plasticizer, based on the total weight of the release composition.This invention also concerns aqueous or semi-aqueous processible flexographic photosensitive elements containing this plasticized polyvinyl alcohol release layer and to processes for making printing reliefs from such elements.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an aqueous processible solid photosensitive composition for relief printing plates comprising(a) an addition photopolymerizable ethylenically unsaturated monomer;(b) a photoinitiator or photoinitiating system activated by actinic light; and(c) a core shell microgel binder;wherein the core shell microgel binder has two domains, a core having less than 10% crosslinking and an aqueous processible non-crosslinked outer shell consisting of an acid-modified copolymer, and further wherein the monomer partitions in the shell of the microgel and the shell is grafted to the core using at least 0.1% of a grafting agent.The invention also concerns a photosensitive element containing this composition.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an aqueous processible solid photosensitive composition for making relief plates comprising(a) an addition photopolymerizable ethylenically unsaturated monomer;(b) a photoinitiator or photoinitiating system activated by actinic light; and(c) a core shell microgel binder; wherein the core shell microgel binder has two domains, a core having less than 10% crosslinking and an aqueous processible non-crosslinked outer shell consisting of an acid-modified copolymer, and further wherein the monomer partitions in the shell of the microgel. The invention also concerns a photosensitive element containing this composition.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for making a printing relief from a flexographic photosensitive element comprising:(a) imagewise exposing to actinic radiation a layer of a photosensitive composition, said photosensitive composition comprising a binder having thermoplastic and elastomeric domains, a first addition polymerizable, ethylenically unsaturated monomer having some compatibility with both domains of the binder, and an addition polymerization initiator or initiating system;(b) removing the unexposed portions; and(c) applying post development treatment; wherein the improvement comprises increasing the flexibility of the flexographic printing relief by adding at least one additional ethylenically unsaturated monomer so that the ratio of first monomer to the additional monomer is in the range 1:4 to 4:1 based on total weight of monomer, said additional monomer is added to the photosensitive composition prior to imagewise exposing the layer provided that said additional monomer is substantially incompa

Abstract: Photopolymerizable compositions are described containing a polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated monomer, a photoinitiator or initiator system, and selected acidic polymeric binders. The organic binder mixture contains a compound chosen from each of two selected classes. These photopolymerizable compositions yield superior processability, i.e., on developing and stripping, in solely aqueous alkaline media devoid of organic solvents, decreased softness and/or tackiness, and improved adhesion when compared to the prior art. The compositions are particularly useful for preparing photoresists.

Abstract: Photopolymerizable compositions are described containing a polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated monomer, a photoinitiator or initiator system, and selected acidic polymeric binders. The organic binder mixture contains a compound chosen from each of two selected classes. These photopolymerizable compositions yield superior processability, i.e., on developing and stripping, in solely aqueous alkaline media devoid of organic solvents, decreased softness and/or tackiness, and improved adhesion when compared to the prior art. The compositions are particularly useful for preparing photoresists.