Abstract: An expandable, hollow, cylindrical thin-walled composite sleeve for use in flexographic printing applications is provided including an optional polymeric resin base layer, at least one filament wound layer over the base layer, and at least one outer non-woven fibrous layer over the filament wound layer. The filament wound layer may comprise filament wound fibers such as fiberglass which are wound around the base layer or sleeve. The non-woven fibrous layer may be in the form of a fiberglass chopped strand mat. The layers provide desirable surface and reinforcement properties to the sleeve.

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: Photocurable elements which are useful for preparing flexographic printing plates are provided which comprise a printing layer and a contiguous base layer, the printing layer comprising about 40 to 95 parts by weight of an elastomeric block copolymer, about 5 to 60 parts by weight of a second elastomeric polymer which is incompatible with the block copolymer, a photopolymerizable monomer, and a photoinitiator. The printing layer preferably also comprises an actinic radiation scattering and absorbing pigment.Also provided are relief printing plates prepared from the photocurable elements. The printing plates have a tack-free surface having excellent ink transfer properties, abrasion resistance, and solvent resistance. A high level of exposure latitude may also be provided in the photocurable elements of the invention.