Abstract: A method of making-up offset printing cylinders having lock-ups positioned in gaps in the cylinders by use of a two piece system involving adhering a compressible printing element to the cylinder with at least one edge extending into the lock-up gap, trimming the edge extending into the lock-up gap, thereafter pulling a non-compressible printing element carrying the printing ink indicia receptive working surface taut over the compressible printing element and securing the ends of the non-compressible printing element in the lock-up under tension. The two piece system involves separating the relatively thick compressible portion of the offset printing blanket from the relatively thinner ink transfer surface of the offset printing blanket. Also a separate embodiment with pressure sensitive adhesive securing the two piece system together and not limited to offset printing cylinders, product and method.

Abstract: A screen printing blanket having two transverse stiffening plys of polyester rods spaced fron one another across the neutral plane. The rods are preferably monofilaments of polyethylene terephthalate. For less desirable practicing of the invention only one layer of the preferred rods need be used and in other embodiments other rod materials may be used and in yet other embodiments the invention may be extended to two spaced plys not bridging the neutral plane and even to non-printing blanket belts.