Abstract: Systems and methods for curing a photopolymer printing plates. A radiation source, such as an UV LED source having a radiation-emitting lateral dimension in a range 10-60 cm, is spaced from a substrate that holds the printing plate. The source and substrate are configured to move relative to one another in a movement direction that defines a leading edge of the radiation source and a trailing edge of the radiation source. A cooling air handling system directs a volume of cooling air into the gap between the radiation source and the printing plate in a direction from the trailing edge to the leading edge. The cooling air handling system may have one or more outlets attached at least one edge of the source, may be configured to only direct air from the trailing edge to the leading edge, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and non-transitory memory media embodying computer readable instructions for minimizing voids in front of a trailing edge of a solid rendition or linework print region printed using a photocurable flexographic printing plate having a printing surface corresponding to information in an image file. At least one solid rendition or linework image region corresponding to the solid rendition or linework print region has a pattern of “on” and “off” single pixels that correspond to openings formed by an imager in a mask layer of the plate. Micro-screen openings in an edge region of the solid rendition or linework mask region are imaged with a different size than micro-screen openings in a center region of the solid rendition or linework mask region.

Abstract: Systems and methods for exposing photopolymer printing plate material located within a target area having first and second dimensions. A light source having LEDs arrayed coextensive with the first dimension moves relative to the second dimension, and emits different light intensities over the target area in at least one of the first dimension or the second dimension. The systems and methods may be used to determine exposure parameters for curing a selected plate by causing different sample units to receive different amounts of total energy exposure, exposure energy per exposure step, or a combination thereof, and visually evaluating each sample unit against a reference plate of the same type and thickness. The sample unit embodying a minimum acceptable total exposure energy and a maximum acceptable exposure energy per exposure step is then identified.