Abstract: A printing blanket adapted to be used with a magnetic printing cylinder including a gap extending longitudinally along the outer surface thereof is provided. The printing blanket includes a plurality of plies with a magnetic backing ply which is magnetically adhered to the printing cylinder. The printing blanket is positioned on the printing cylinder such that an end of the printing blanket is bent over an edge and inwardly into the gap. The opposite end of the printing blanket is mounted substantially adjacent the opposite edge of the gap. A tensioning roll or similar device to which the printing blanket may be attached can be disposed in the gap to secure the printing blanket to the printing cylinder more firmly.

Abstract: A compressible printing roller and method of making the same are provided wherein such roller comprises a central support, a tubular inner layer carried by the support and made of a microporous rubber material having cavities interconnected by passages, and a tubular outer layer disposed around the inner layer and made of a nonporous polymeric material with the layers cooperating to assure the roller provides optimum contact between the roller and material being coated thereby at comparatively small nip pressures.

Abstract: A method of continuously making a printing blanket construction is provided and comprises the steps of supporting a substrate web in coil form for unwinding rotation, unwinding and moving the forward portion of the substrate web through a laminating station, and laminating a polymeric layer adjacent the substrate web at the station wherein the polymeric layer may serve as a printing face or the method may comprise the process of forming a printing face adjacent the polymeric layer.

Abstract: A printing blanket is provided which comprises a base ply, a printing face, and a high strength woven layer disposed between the base ply and the printing face with the woven layer being defined by warps and wefts wherein at least the warps are made of highly flexible synthetic filaments having a breaking tenacity ranging between 18 and 26 grams per denier and an elongation at break ranging between 3 and 5% with the blanket having optimum stability and minimum elongation under operating tension.