Abstract: An indexing image for craft stamps that is opaque to the eye but transparent to UV light is produced by printing a wavelength-specific solvent-based ink on the stamp substrate. This eliminates the step of printing a separate adhesive-backed indexing image sheet and applying it to the substrate.

Abstract: An indexing image for craft stamps that is opaque to the eye but transparent to UV light is produced by printing a wavelength-specific solvent-based ink on the stamp substrate.

Abstract: An indexing image for craft stamps that is opaque to the eye but transparent to UV light is produced by printing a wavelength-specific solvent-based ink on the stamp substrate. This eliminates the step of printing a separate adhesive-backed indexing image sheet and applying it to the substrate.

Abstract: An indexing image for craft stamps that is opaque to the eye but transparent to UV light is produced by printing a wavelength-specific solvent-based ink on the stamp substrate. This eliminates the step of printing a separate adhesive-backed indexing image sheet and applying it to the substrate.

Abstract: Negatives and laminates containing negatives for exposing liquid photopolymers in UV flexographic plate making are created by printing opaque images directly onto the protective or release cover films used in plate making processes. Combining negatives and cover films in this way eliminates two layers and two interfaces in the exposure process, reducing cost and improving quality.

Abstract: Negatives and laminates containing negatives for exposing liquid photopolymers in UV flexographic plate making are created by printing opaque images directly onto the protective or release cover films used in plate making processes. Combining negatives and cover films in this way eliminates two layers and two interfaces in the exposure process, reducing cost and improving quality.

Abstract: Negatives, and laminates containing negatives, for exposing liquid photopolymers in UV flexographic plate making are created by printing opaque images directly onto the protective or release cover films used in plate making processes. Combining negatives and cover films in this way eliminates two layers and two interfaces in the exposure process, reducing cost and improving quality. By bringing the negative images as close as possible to the liquid photopolymer, printed dots of “digital quality” are created.

Abstract: Negatives, and laminates containing negatives, for exposing liquid photopolymers in UV flexographic plate making are created by printing opaque images directly onto the protective or release cover films used in plate making processes. Combining negatives and cover films in this way eliminates two layers and two interfaces in the exposure process, reducing cost and improving quality. By bringing the negative images as close as possible to the liquid photopolymer, printed dots of “digital quality” are created.

Abstract: Negatives, and laminates containing negatives, for exposing liquid photopolymers in UV flexographic plate making are created by printing opaque images directly onto the protective or release cover films used in plate making processes. Combining negatives and cover films in this way eliminates two layers and two interfaces in the exposure process, reducing cost and improving quality. By bringing the negative images as close as possible to the liquid photopolymer, printed dots of “digital quality” are created.

Abstract: Flexography relief images are produced in currently-available sheet photopolymers by printing them with one inkjet printer pass using solvent-based inks without the need for an inkjet-receptive coating. A solvent ink that will adhere to the surface of the photopolymer slip film with no coating is used and, in embodiments, quick-dried to maximize image quality by heating the inked surface up to about 50° C. In embodiments, sheet photopolymer plates so masked and exposed can then be exposed to UV light in a modified printer that, in effect, transforms a batch process to a continuous one.

Abstract: A flexography substrate for making I-plates with liquid photopolymers has, in addition to the tie-coat applied to one side to hold the photopolymers in place on the substrate, an adhesive layer applied to the other side. A clear release liner is applied to the adhesive layer, the adhesive layer adhering less firmly to the release liner than to the substrate. An inkjet-receptive coating is applied to the clear release liner. The masking image for the I-plate is applied to the clear release liner using an inkjet printer. After the substrate has been used to make a flexographic plate, the release liner is peeled off of the adhesive layer. The flexographic plate can then be applied to a print roll without the step of manually applying adhesive to it.

Abstract: A flexography substrate for making I-plates with liquid photopolymers has, in addition to the tie-coat applied to one side to hold the photopolymers in place on the substrate, a micro-porous coating applied to the other side, enabling a masking image to be applied to it using an inkjet printer. In this way, one single sheet of film performs the dual role of substrate and I-plate masking film. By eliminating a sheet of film, the invention provides cost, quality, and environmental benefits.

Abstract: The UV opacity from 0 to 100% in one inkjet pass, and the visual color, of solvent-based inks is controlled by the amounts of pigments, dyes, UV blockers and UV brighteners in the inks. The depth-of-cure in photopolymers is controlled by these factors and the % laydown of the ink in one pass.

Abstract: An indexing image for craft stamps that is opaque to the eye but transparent to UV light is produced by printing a wavelength-specific solvent-based ink on the stamp substrate. This eliminates the step of printing a separate adhesive-backed indexing image sheet and applying it to the substrate.

Abstract: Two methods using two respective laminates produce flexographic printing plates with flat top dots from sheet photopolymers. The methods use a preliminary laminate to isolate the photopolymer surface from the ambient air. A third method enables images to be transferred to non-porous surfaces.

Abstract: Negatives, and laminates containing negatives, for exposing liquid photopolymers in UV flexographic plate making are created by printing opaque images directly onto the protective or release cover films used in plate making processes. Combining negatives and cover films in this way eliminates two layers and two interfaces in the exposure process, reducing cost and improving quality. By bringing the negative images as close as possible to the liquid photopolymer, printed dots of “digital quality” are created.

Abstract: Negatives and laminates containing negatives for exposing liquid photopolymers in UV flexographic plate making are created by printing opaque images directly onto the protective or release cover films used in plate making processes. Combining negatives and cover films in this way eliminates two layers and two interfaces in the exposure process, reducing cost and improving quality.

Abstract: Solvent-based inks for inkjet printers are prepared by adding UV-absorbers and/or reflectors. These inks, when printed on uncoated or untreated polymeric films which may be either clear or dyed, produce negatives with sufficient opacity to make photopolymer-based flexographic printing plates.

Abstract: A flexography substrate for making I-plates with liquid photopolymers has, in addition to the tie-coat applied to one side to hold the photopolymers in place on the substrate, an adhesive layer applied to the other side. A clear release liner is applied to the adhesive layer, the adhesive layer adhering less firmly to the release liner than to the substrate. An inkjet-receptive coating is applied to the clear release liner. The masking image for the I-plate is applied to the clear release liner using an inkjet printer. After the substrate has been used to make a flexographic plate, the release liner is peeled off of the adhesive layer. The flexographic plate can then be applied to a print roll without the step of manually applying adhesive to it.