Abstract: An optical imaging heads that produce a plurality of light spots on light sensitive media such as photographic film or printing plate. The optical head incorporates an array of multi-mode laser diodes as a light source, a Micro Light-Pipe Array (MLPA) as a beam-shaping element, means for reducing the divergence of the laser diode beam in the fast axis direction and means for imaging the laser diode emitters on a surface close to the micro light-pipe entrance aperture.

Abstract: A method for providing in use estimation of dot gain in digital printing using digital printing plates, the method comprising: applying to a digital printing plate a calibration strip, the strip comprising at least one set of patches, each patch comprising a plurality of dots at a predetermined gray level within said dynamic range, gray levels of said set of patches being distributed over said dynamic range, printing from said calibration strip under a current set of printing conditions, measuring intensities of said printing, and interpolating from said measurements to generate a curve of dot gain over said dynamic range. The curve can then be used to compensate. When moving to a different set of printing conditions, a single test print is then carried out and a new dot gain estimation is available.

Abstract: A method for providing in use estimation of dot gain in digital printing using digital printing plates, the method comprising: applying to a digital printing plate a calibration strip, the strip comprising at least one set of patches, each patch comprising a plurality of dots at a predetermined gray level within said dynamic range, gray levels of said set of patches being distributed over said dynamic range, printing from said calibration strip under a current set of printing conditions, measuring intensities of said printing, and interpolating from said measurements to generate a curve of dot gain over said dynamic range. The curve can then be used to compensate. When moving to a different set of printing conditions, a single test print is then carried out and a new dot gain estimation is available.

Abstract: A gravure printing blank that can be easily and quickly imaged digitally by means of laser imaging and a method for preparing the same. The gravure printing blank comprises a metallic surface, a pre-polymer layer covering said metallic surface, comprising UV curable materials, photo initiators and binder resins and a photo-tool layer covering said pre-polymer layer.

Abstract: An optical imaging heads that produce a plurality of light spots on light sensitive medium such as photographic film or printing plate. The optical head incorporates an array of multi-mode laser diodes optically coupled to multi-mode optical fibers, an array of micromachined supports for the optical fibers, an array of micromachined light-pipes (MLPs) aligned with the supports and with the optical fibers and means for imaging the exit aperture of each of the micromachined light-pipes on a photosensitive medium.

Abstract: A method for providing in use estimation of dot gain in digital printing using digital printing plates, the method comprising: applying to a digital printing plate a calibration strip, the strip comprising at least one set of patches, each patch comprising a plurality of dots at a predetermined gray level within said dynamic range, gray levels of said set of patches being distributed over said dynamic range, printing from said calibration strip under a current set of printing conditions, measuring intensities of said printing, and interpolating from said measurements to generate a curve of dot gain over said dynamic range. The curve can then be used to compensate. When moving to a different set of printing conditions, a single test print is then carried out and a new dot gain estimation is available.