Abstract: Multilayer printing plates having layers with differing moduli are made by exposing through a photographic negative a plurality of layers comprising a solid photocurable cap and al least one liquid photocurable layer.

Abstract: A photopolymer useful in preparing water-developable, solid printing plates is prepared by preparing a urethane prepolymer by reacting polyoxyalkylene diols or polyester diols, or a mixture thereof, with an excess of diisocyanate, followed by chain extending the resulting prepolymer mixture with an alkyldialkanolamine, then reacting the chain-extended product with a hydroxyalkyl(meth)acrylate. The resulting photopolymer is suitably formulated with additional photoactive (meth)acrylate monomers or oligomers and photoinitiator for casting or extrusion on a substrate to form a flexographic printing plate. Following UV exposure of the plate through a negative, unexposed areas can be removed by washing with a slightly acidic aqueous medium, to give a plate with a desirable relief image. The use of the aqueous washout solution as opposed to organic solvents minimizes pollution problems.

Abstract: A method useful for stereolithography that yields enhanced photospeed, as well as a photocurable polymer composition well adapted for use with same, are disclosed.A preferred combination includes 1,2-dimethoxy-2-phenyl acetophenone, benzophenone, and triphenyl phosphine combined with a polyurethane (meth)acrylate oligomer.

Abstract: An aqueous-developable article is made from a photoprepolymer made by reacting a maleated polyalkadienyl homo- or copolymer (e.g., polybutadiene) with an olefinically unsaturated compound capable of opening anhydride rings (e.g., hydroxyethyl methacrylate) with simultaneous chain extension using a polyalkadienyl polyol, followed by hydrolysis and neutralization with Li--, Na--, or K-containing base. When formulated with unsaturated monomers and photoinitiators, the photoprepolymer is particularly useful in making photopolymer-based flexographic printing plates.

Abstract: A photopolymer useful in preparing water-developable, solid printing plates is prepared by preparing a urethane prepolymer by reacting polyoxyalkylene diols or polyester diols, or a mixture thereof, with an excess of diisocyanate, followed by chain extending the resulting prepolymer mixture with an alkyldialkanolamine, then reacting the chain-extended product with a hydroxyalkyl(meth)acrylate. The resulting photopolymer is suitably formulated with additional photoactive (meth)acrylate monomers or oligomers and photoinitiator for casting or extrusion on a substrate to form a flexographic printing plate. Following UV exposure of the plate through a negative, unexposed areas can be removed by washing with a slightly acidic aqueous medium, to give a plate with a desirable relief image. The use of the aqueous washout solution as opposed to organic solvents minimizes pollution problems.

Abstract: A photopolymer useful in preparing water-developable, solid printing plates is prepared by preparing a urethane prepolymer by reacting polyoxyalkylene diols or polyester diols, or a mixture thereof, with an excess of diisocyanate, followed by chain extending the resulting prepolymer mixture with an alkyldialkanolamine, then reacting the chain-extended product with a hydroxyalkyl(meth)acrylate. The resulting photopolymer is suitably formulated with additional photoactive (meth)acrylate monomers or oligomers and photoinitiator for casting or extrusion on a substrate to form a flexographic printing plate. Following UV exposure of the plate through a negative, unexposed areas can be removed by washing with a slightly acidic aqueous medium, to give a plate with a desirable relief image. The use of the aqueous washout solution as opposed to organic solvents minimizes pollution problems.