Abstract: A system for printing lines of no more than 20 microns on a receiver element (70) includes a laser for forming a series of pixel features on a flexographic plate. The pixel features form a relief pattern of non-overlapping or discontinuous raised pixel features on the elastomeric relief element (60). An inking system applies a printable material composition (20) to the flexographic plate. A print roller for transfers a printable material composition to flexographic plate.

Abstract: A system for printing lines of no more than 20 microns on a receiver element (70) includes a laser for forming a series of pixel features on a flexographic plate. The pixel features form a relief pattern of non-overlapping or discontinuous raised pixel features on the elastomeric relief element (60). An inking system applies a printable material composition (20) to the flexographic plate. A print roller for transfers a printable material composition to flexographic plate.

Abstract: A method for forming a pattern of continuous lines with a line width of 20 microns or less (FIG. 4B) of a printable material composition (20) on a receiver element (70) includes providing an elastomeric relief element (60) and forming a relief pattern of a series of non-overlapping or discontinuous raised pixel features (FIGS. 10A-10D) on the elastomeric relief element (60). The printable material composition (20) is applied to the uppermost relief surface of the elastomeric relief element (60) and the pattern of printable material composition (20) is transferred from the uppermost relief surface to a surface of the receiver element (70).

Abstract: A structured surface is formed with the method of the present invention. The method of making this structured surface includes the steps of applying an ablatable radiation sensitive coating on the major surface of the substrate, and exposing the ablatable radiation sensitive coating to radiation such that exposed portions of the ablatable radiation sensitive coating ablate from the substrate to form a structured surface. The structured surface then includes a substrate and a pattern of structures framed by at least one separation bank. The method may also include the steps of depositing a flowable material on to the structures and the separation bank to form a pattern of flowable material in the structures.

Abstract: A mask-forming film has a transparent layer between the imageable layer and the carrier sheet, which transparent layer has a refractive index that is lower (by at least 0.04) than that of the carrier sheet or any immediately adjacent layer between it and the carrier sheet. This lower refractive index layer modifies the path of incident radiation during mask image transfer so as to provide steeper shoulder angles in the relief image solid areas. This mask film is used to form a relief image such as in a flexographic printing plate.

Abstract: An improved relief printing plate and method for producing said plate is disclosed. Substantially all sizes of relief features resolve a fixed pattern which improves print quality. The pattern is applied to image areas in halftone data used to produce an image mask that is subsequently used to convert a plate precursor into a relief plate. The accuracy, ink density and tonal response of printed images corresponding to relief features that include the pattern are comparable or better than relief features produced without the pattern.

Abstract: A mask-forming film has a transparent layer between the imageable layer and the carrier sheet, which transparent layer has a refractive index that is lower (by at least 0.04) than that of the carrier sheet or any immediately adjacent layer between it and the carrier sheet. This lower refractive index layer modifies the path of incident radiation during mask image transfer so as to provide steeper shoulder angles in the relief image solid areas. This mask film is used to form a relief image such as in a flexographic printing plate.

Abstract: A mask-forming film has a transparent layer between the imageable layer and the carrier sheet, which transparent layer has a refractive index that is lower (by at least 0.04) than that of the carrier sheet or any immediately adjacent layer between it and the carrier sheet. This lower refractive index layer modifies the path of incident radiation during mask image transfer so as to provide steeper shoulder angles in the relief image solid areas. This mask film is used to form a relief image such as in a flexographic printing plate.

Abstract: A system for forming a relief image on a flexographic print plate comprises a laminator configured to laminate an imaged mask having a mask image to a front surface of a flexographic printing plate precursor. The mask image has mask image areas, each having a highlight value. The system also includes a main exposure unit configured to expose the flexographic printing plate precursor to curing radiation through the imaged mask, and a secondary exposure unit configured to expose selected areas of the flexographic printing plate precursor to curing radiation via a back surface of the flexographic printing plate precursor based on highlight values of corresponding mask image areas of the mask image.

Abstract: A method of making a relief image on a flexographic print plate including imagewise exposing a mask including an imageable material disposed on a mask substrate to form an imaged mask having a mask image in the imageable material disposed on the mask substrate, the mask image including mask image areas each having a highlight value. The method further includes laminating the imaged mask to a front surface of a flexographic printing plate precursor, and exposing selected areas of the flexographic printing plate precursor to an imagewise addressable curing radiation via a back surface of the flexographic printing plate precursor based on the highlight values of corresponding mask image areas of the mask image.

Abstract: A deposition inhibitor composition includes two compatible solvents. The first solvent has a vapor pressure of at least 10 mm Hg at room temperature and the second solvent has a vapor pressure of less than that of the first solvent. The composition further includes a hydrophilic deposition inhibitor material that is dissolved in the composition. This material is soluble in an aqueous solution that comprises at least 50% by weight of water and has a free acid content of less than 2.5 meq/g. This composition is useful to provide a deposition inhibitor pattern for chemical vapor deposition methods such as an atomic-layer-deposition method for forming a patterned thin film includes applying a hydrophilic deposition inhibitor material to a substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus and related method for laminating a masking film onto a pre-press flexographic printing plate to place the plate in optical contact with the film by applying a balanced, non-distorting force to the flexographic printing plate and masking film. This method includes laminating the pre-press flexographic printing plate with the film mask by applying an optimized lamination force to achieve optical contact while minimizing lateral film distortion.

Abstract: A pre-press flexographic plate laminator for laminating a masking film onto a pre-press flexographic printing plate. The apparatus can be used to apply a balanced, non-distorting force to a flexographic printing plate and masking film with an optimized lamination force to achieve optical contact while minimizing lateral film distortion.

Abstract: A mask-forming film has a transparent layer between the imageable layer and the carrier sheet, which transparent layer has a refractive index that is lower (by at least 0.04) than that of the carrier sheet or any immediately adjacent layer between it and the carrier sheet. This lower refractive index layer modifies the path of incident radiation during mask image transfer so as to provide steeper shoulder angles in the relief image solid areas.

Abstract: An improved relief printing plate and method for producing said plate is disclosed. Disabling a pattern of halftone pixels associated with the trailing edge of a full tone image feature reduces the likelihood that a trailing edge inking void will be present when the relief plate is inked by a printing press.

Abstract: A pre-press flexographic plate laminator for laminating a masking film onto a pre-press flexographic printing plate. The apparatus can be used to apply a balanced, non-distorting force to a flexographic printing plate and masking film with an optimized lamination force to achieve optical contact while minimizing lateral film distortion.

Abstract: A mask-forming film has a transparent layer between the imageable layer and the carrier sheet, which transparent layer has a refractive index that is lower (by at least 0.04) than that of the carrier sheet or any immediately adjacent layer between it and the carrier sheet. This lower refractive index layer modifies the path of incident radiation during mask image transfer so as to provide steeper shoulder angles in the relief image solid areas. This mask film is used to form a relief image such as in a flexographic printing plate.

Abstract: An improved relief printing plate and method for producing said plate is disclosed. Substantially all sizes of relief features resolve a fixed pattern which improves print quality. The pattern is applied to image areas in halftone data used to produce an image mask that is subsequently used to convert a plate precursor into a relief plate. The accuracy, ink density and tonal response of printed images corresponding to relief features that include the pattern are comparable or better than relief features produced without the pattern.

Abstract: A method of making a relief image on a flexographic print plate including imagewise exposing a mask including an imageable material disposed on a mask substrate to form an imaged mask having a mask image in the imageable material disposed on the mask substrate, the mask image including mask image areas each having a highlight value. The method further includes laminating the imaged mask to a front surface of a flexographic printing plate precursor, and exposing selected areas of the flexographic printing plate precursor to an imagewise addressable curing radiation via a back surface of the flexographic printing plate precursor based on the highlight values of corresponding mask image areas of the mask image.

Abstract: An apparatus and related method for laminating a masking film onto a pre-press flexographic printing plate to place the plate in optical contact with the film by applying a balanced, non-distorting force to the flexographic printing plate and masking film. This method includes laminating the pre-press flexographic printing plate with the film mask by applying an optimized lamination force to achieve optical contact while minimizing lateral film distortion.