Abstract: A seamless printing sleeve comprising a hollow cylindrical base and a seamless imageable surface as its outermost layer is described. The imageable surface acts as an integral flexographic printing surface. Preferably the printing sleeve comprises an intermediate photopolymer or resilient polymer layer between the outer surface of the base and the imageable surface. Also, preferably the base is uniformly transparent or translucent to actinic radiation.

Abstract: A seamless printing sleeve comprising a hollow cylindrical base and a seamless imageable surface as its outermost layer is described. The imageable surface acts as an integral flexographic printing surface. Preferably the printing sleeve comprises an intermediate photopolymer or resilient polymer layer between the outer surface of the base and the imageable surface. Also, preferably the base is uniformly transparent or translucent to actinic radiation.

Abstract: A process for producing a durable, readily-storable, cylindrically-shaped flexographic printing sleeve having inner and an outer cylindrically-shaped walls and a substantially constant cross-sectional inner and outer diameter is provided. The flexographic printing sleeve is readily axially mountable on and dismountable from a complementary cylindrically-shaped printing cylinder having an outer cylindrically shaped wall. The process comprises providing a sleeve body. A layer of a low temperature curable polymeric material is provided to the outer circumferential surface of the sleeve body. The low temperature curable polymeric material is then cured at a temperature not greater than about 150 degrees F. to form a hardened layer of the polymeric material having a substantially uniform degree of hardness without damaging or distorting the sleeve body. A portion of the hardened layer of the polymeric material is removed to produce a flexographic printing sleeve having a thickness of up to about 0.

Abstract: A unitary, cylindrically-shaped printing sleeve is provided which is readily axially mountable on and dismountable from a complementary cylindrically-shaped printing cylinder. The subject printing sleeve comprises a printing sleeve body having a substantially constant cross-sectional diameter and a wall thickness of at least about 0.015 inches. The sleeve is substantially airtight when mounted onto the printing cylinder, and has substantially seamless inner and outer cylindrically-shaped wall surfaces. The diameter of the printing sleeve is expandable by the introduction of a low fluid pressure level between the inner printing sleeve wall surface and the outer wall surface of the printing cylinder of not more than about 100 psi at ambient temperature. The printing sleeve is contractable by the removal of the low pressure fluid.