Abstract: A rubber cylinder sleeve has a rubber covering with a layer construction which comprises, at a distance from the outer surface, compressible layer elements (3) and layer elements which influence the elasticity (S), such as filaments/yarns or fabric structures. The layer elements which influence the elasticity (S), are incorporated uniformly in the circumferential direction but are incorporated in a manner prestrained to various degrees in a defined manner in the direction of the sleeve axis, so that an elasticity profile is produced across the sleeve width, which profile is designed to be symmetrical with respect to the center of the sleeve width.

Abstract: The invention relates to printing rollers that are used in the flexographic industry. Presently there are no cost effective disposable printing rollers designed for use in printing presses used in the flexographic industry. The invention comes in different designs depending on the particular press involved. The invention can be manufactured and sold at a cost similar to the resurfacing costs of the present non-disposable printing rollers. The invention provides the convenience of being disposable saving time and cost to the printer. The high administrative and logistic costs associated with resurfacing printing rollers are eliminated with the present invention. One need only use the disposable printing roller once and simply dispose of it once the roller is no longer useful.

Abstract: A printing form (12) for a printing form cylinder (2) for wet offset printing has an ink-transferring surface that can be or is illustrated and passage channels opening on the ink-transferring surface for a moistening agent. The printing form (12) has a multilayer structure.

Abstract: A sleeve (10) for flexographic printing includes a sleeve body (2) made of an at least partially non-electroconductive material, which within its inside (4) is mountable on an electroconductive king roll on the outer wall of the roll, of a printing press, the king roll being designed as an air cylinder, and exhibiting at least one contact zone with the king roll. The sleeve exhibits an electroconductive surface (6), which is connected to the contact zone via at least one electroconductive element (20) provided in the sleeve body (2) for diverting electrostatic charges into the outer wall of the roll of the king roll. The sleeve is therefore given an electroconductive structure, through which the unavoidable electrostatic charges in printing presses with a plurality of printing couples are diverted via the king roll before it reaches a scale that would suffice for a discharge, ignition, or deflagration of the solvents used in the printing.

Abstract: A gapless printing system includes a cylinder assembly and a printing sleeve. The cylinder assembly includes a compressible layer located between an inner shell and an outer shell. A support carrier is coupled to the inner shell about each of the first and second end portions and is adapted such that the cylinder assembly is mountable in a printing press. A printing sleeve is removably attachable to the cylinder assembly by installing the printing sleeve over the outer shell such that when the printing sleeve is mounted on the cylinder assembly, lateral and rotational motion of the printing sleeve with respect to the cylinder assembly is prevented.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for producing a novel flexographic printing sleeve which is readily axially mountable on and dismountable from a complementary shaped printing cylinder. The subject method comprises providing an apparatus for receiving a sprayed curable polymeric material and for forming the flexographic printing sleeve. Then, the curable polymeric material is sprayed onto the apparatus and a flexographic printing sleeve is formed. The sleeve has a substantially unitary, non-laminated construction which is self-supporting. The cross-sectional inner and outer diameter of the flexographic printing sleeve is expandable by introducing a relatively low pressure fluid between the inner surface of the printing body sleeve and the outer cylindrically-shaped wall of the printing cylinder. The flexographic printing sleeve is contractible from its expanded position by releasing the low pressure fluid.

Abstract: An easy to manufacture and install sound dampening pad for a printing blanket sleeve is provided. The pad effectively attenuates noise emanating from the sleeve during air pressurized mounting and dismounting of the blanket sleeve to an underlying cylinder. The sound dampening pad is fabricated from a flexible polymeric material and has a generally J-shaped configuration with inner and outer surfaces. At least a portion of the inner surface of the J-shape includes a pressure sensitive adhesive thereon to secure the pad to the inner surface of the sleeve.

Abstract: The invention relates to an adapter sleeve 120 for mounting or changing working sleeves carrying print forms on king rolls of printing machines, said king rolls preferably embodied as an air cylinder, drivable, and having a sheath, where the adapter sleeve 120 can be pushed axially onto the sheath of the king roll, or can be removed from it, and the body of the adapter sleeve, in the mounted state, supports the working sleeve with its outer jacket. For mounting the adapter sleeve 120, hydraulic tightening elements integrated in them serve, said tightening elements being formed on the bushing elements 121 and 122 disposed at a distance from one another and being embodied by annular elements 151, 152 disposed on the inner side of the bushing elements 121 and 122. During operation the tightening elements cause the securing against rotation between the adapter sleeve 120 and the king roll.

Abstract: A printing cylinder for accepting an axially-removable printing sleeve includes a cylinder body having an outer surface, the outer surface having at least one hole and a supply line in the cylinder body for supplying fluid to the at least one hole. The supply line has at least one flow restrictor designed to alter fluid flow as a function of the at least one hole being covered by an axially-removable printing sleeve. Also provided is a printing press having two such cylinders and a common pressure source.

Abstract: In order to manufacture a cylinder of a rotary printing machine cost-effectively, its cylinder body is assembled from a cylinder casing and a first and second side part located at the ends of the cylinder casing, one and the same first and second side part being capable of being completed in order to produce different cylinders with cylinder casings of different outside diameters.

Abstract: A proof press for the mounting of flexographic printing plates, comprising a printing cylinder, which is covered by a blanket for the mounting of at least one printing plate with double adhesive tape interposed, the printing cylinder being movable at right angles to its own axis in order to be placed in contact, along a generatrix, with a respective impression roller for performing proof prints, an optical system for collimating points of the impression roller with respective points of the printing plate by direct viewing, and a compression device for producing the forced adhesion of the printing plate to the double-adhesive tape and to the blanket.

Abstract: Apparatus includes a housing, a feed table outside the housing for receiving a plate-like blank, a round shaping device in the housing for shaping the blank into a sleeve-like printing form, a welding system, and a transport device for fixing, transporting and depositing the blank aligned level on the shaping device. The transport device includes a plate suction frame penetrated by suction elements which make contact with the blank placed on the feed table. After contact has been made, the blank is fixed by activating the suction elements on the plate suction frame so as to be aligned level, and transported in a stable position to the round shaping device. The raw form is deposited on the round shaping device so as to be aligned level and fixed in-register.

Abstract: An independent mandrel trip system wherein a mandrel support block retaining a mandrel is connected to a shaft mounting block in a manner such that the mandrel support block can be reciprocatingly retracted and extended relative to the shaft mounting block in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the mandrel.

Abstract: A sleeve for a print cylinder comprising a fiber reinforced, thin-walled material and having a seamless surface ready to be covered with a surface material. The sleeve may be used in flexographic printing, either as a support for photo-polymerized printing plates or rubber layers. The sleeve has the advantages of having low manufacturing cost and providing the necessary heat resistance to withstand rubber vulcanization temperatures. The sleeve is also airtight, and remains properly positioned during printing operations.

Abstract: The invention relates to a printing cylinder that includes a support cylinder, at least one printing sleeve for mounting the support cylinder, and a recess provided on a lateral face of the sleeve and emerging from an interior wall, and at least one indexing device borne by the support cylinder and that can project from it, the recess and each indexing device cooperating in order to mount the sleeve on the support cylinder while registering its position. According to the invention, the printing sleeve has at least one ring in an extension of an interior wall and which projects from the lateral face. The ring protects the sleeve from impacts between it and the indexing device during mounting of the sleeve on the support cylinder.

Abstract: A printing sleeve for use in flexographic or gravure printing applications is provided. In particular, the printing sleeve contains a bridge layer that is formed from a generally rigid and relatively expandable material, which is disposed adjacent to a core layer. For example, in one embodiment, the bridge layer is made from a polyurethane material having a Shore D hardness of about 20 to about 85. As a result of the present invention, printing sleeves can be formed to be more durable and maintain better TIR tolerances than conventional printing sleeves.

Abstract: A sleeve to be drawn over a rotary support in order to define a blanket cylinder of an indirect or offset printing machine, this cylinder cooperating with a lithographic plate cylinder from which it receives the date to be printed and with a substrate onto which said data are transferred, said substrate moving between the blanket cylinder and a pressure cylinder, the sleeve comprising an inner cylindrical portion to be drawn over the aforesaid rotary support and having its surface covered by a layered structure comprising at least one compressible layer and an incompressible outer layer arranged to cooperate directly with the lithographic plate and with the substrate to be printed; the layered structure being composed at least partly of polyurethane material.

Abstract: A computer-to-plate method and apparatus is described for imaging media sleeves by employing a laser-based imaging head in conjunction with a two stage mandrel comprising an expandable arbor and an intermediate sleeve. Most of the bulk of the mandrel is contained in the expandable arbor, which may be expanded hydraulically to mechanically engage the intermediate sleeve. The media sleeve to be imaged is mounted on the intermediate sleeve by conventional means. The method and apparatus of the invention makes possible the rapid changing between different sizes of media sleeves without requiring the handling of bulky mandrels and without endangering the precision optics imaging head of the apparatus, while maintaining the mounting precision.

Abstract: The drum has a balancer disposed at both ends of a drum body around which a printing plate is wound, and with a rotating shaft rotatably supported by a supporting plate via an elastic support member of a shaft receiving member. When the rotating drum is rotated in a state in which the rotating drum is out of balance, the elastic support member is elastically deformed so that the rotating shaft rotates integrally with the rotating drum. Balance of the drum is restored by eccentric revolution of the balancers, whereby the rotating drum is rotated around a center of the rotating shaft. A recording head is mounted at a bracket that moves integrally with the rotating drum. Thus, the recording head continually opposes a fixed position at the rotating drum, and an appropriate image can be formed on a printing plate.

Abstract: A rotary offset printing press which has a series of printing units of identical make through which a web of paper is threaded. In each printing unit the blanket cylinder is made displaceable into and out of printing engagement with the plate cylinder and the impression cylinder. The cylinders of each printing unit are driven from a separate variable-speed motor via a train of gears which stay intermeshed whether the blanket cylinder is in or out of printing engagement with the other cylinders. A clutch is inserted between the drive linkage and the impression cylinder for connecting and disconnecting the latter to and from the former. A plate change is possible in any of the printing units by moving the blanket cylinder out of printing engagement with the plate cylinder and the impression cylinder, and declutching the impression cylinder from the drive linkage, in that printing unit while the other printing unit or units are in continuous operation for printing the web.

Abstract: Front end clamps are disposed on the cylindrical surface of a recording drum, and rear end clamps are attached in any of a plurality of positions at the cylindrical surface of the recording drum. A controller controls a front end clamp opening/closing device to open the front end clamps and controls a pair of rollers to feed a plate held on a plate carry-in path. The controller also controls the front end clamp opening/closing device to close the plate fixing portion of the front end clamps to fix the front end of the plate on the cylindrical surface, controls a driving device to rotate the recording drum for a predetermined amount, and controls a rear end clamp attaching/detaching device to attach the rear end clamps to the cylindrical surface to fix the rear end of the plate on the recording drum cylindrical surface.

Abstract: A stamp of liquid-exuding type has a multiple-seal-faced assembly adapted for stamping with selected one of these multiple faces, preferably for stamping with multiple colors.

Abstract: A printing cylinder for offset printing includes a cylinder member of a hollow cylinder having a covering portion which forms a substantially uniform, smooth outer circumferential surface having no spliced portion in the circumferential direction, the covering portion being capable of transferring printing images onto an adjacent printing cylinder or printing paper in contact with the covering portion; and printing cylinder support mechanism including a pair of support shafts which are supported on opposed frames such that the support shafts are rotatable about a common axis, the support shafts each having a shaft end portion which is connected to an end portion of the cylinder member via an engagement portion and by use of connection member. The engagement portion includes a groove and a ridge portion formed on the end surface of the cylinder member and the shaft end portion of the corresponding support shaft.

Abstract: An anilox roll 15 is disposed such that an outer peripheral surface thereof contacts an outer peripheral surface of a fountain roll 13 positioned in an ink pan 11. Ink I transferred to the outer peripheral surface of the anilox roll 15 is transferred to a plate cylinder 16, and predetermined printing is performed on printing paper P passing between the plate cylinder 16 and a platen 17. One end side of a support shaft 20 of the fountain roll 13 and the anilox roll 15 is removably coupled to a rotating shaft 32 via coupling means 29, and the other end side of the support shaft 21 is supported by urging means 59. The urging means 59 includes a moving shaft 45 that is movable in the axial direction. Moving the moving shaft 45 permits removal of the fountain roll 13 and/or the anilox roll 15.

Abstract: A sleeve is provided with a clamp for removably clamping the sleeve on a mandrel. A rigid ring is mounted inside of the sleeve at each end of the sleeve. Each ring has a generally cylindrical inside surface which includes a curved contact portion which extends for less than 180 degrees and which is engageable with the outside surface of the mandrel. A curved clamp arm is pivotally secured at one end thereof to each ring. An eccentric shaft extends through an opening in the other end of the clamp arm. Rotation of the eccentric shaft moves the clamp arm toward the contact portion of the ring so that the mandrel can be clamped between the clamp arm and the contact portion.

Abstract: A method of exchanging a printing cylinder sleeve in a printing machine, which printing machine comprises a central cylinder and a plurality of ink units adapted to be adjusted against the central cylinder, each ink unit comprising a plate cylinder having a printing cylinder sleeve mounted on a mandrel, and a detachable bearing for supporting the mandrel, the method comprising the following steps, which are performed while the printing machine is running: moving the plate cylinder away from the central cylinder to such an extent that a space formed between the plate cylinder and the central cylinder becomes large enough for gripping the printing cylinder sleeve, detaching the bearing, and withdrawing the printing cylinder sleeve axially from the mandrel.

Abstract: A lightweight, low-cost bridge mandrel applicable to the Flexographic printing process is adapted for mounting on the outer surface of a shaft or roller. The mandrel preferably includes a thin-walled, cylindrical metal tube having an inner surface, an outer surface, and two ends defining a length. An end cap is disposed at each end of the tube, each with a central bore to receive the shaft or roller. A polymeric layer is bonded directly or indirectly to the metal tube, thereby defining a precise, desired final diameter upon which to mount a printing sleeve. The metal tube is preferably steel, though aluminum and various metal or composite alloys may alternatively be used.

Abstract: The most uniform possible temperature variation along the circumference of a transfer cylinder in a rotary printing machine is achieved by arranging a highly thermally layer made of a material having a thermal conductivity significantly higher than steel under a rubber blanket on the transfer cylinder for distributing heat from the rubber blanket along the direction of the surface of the transfer cylinder. The highly conductive layer is arranged on a support of the rubber blanket.

Abstract: A bridge mandrel includes an inner sleeve assembly comprising the inner laminate and an outer laminate secured on each side of an intermediate hardened foam layer. The inner laminate is of multi-ply form with inner plies of base and adhesive layers separated from outer plies of base and adhesive layers by a compressible foam layer. The adhesive layers are made from high viscosity thermoplastic adhesive material. The intermediate layer is of segmented form with a radial gap between adjacent segments. A header is mounted to each end of the inner sleeve assembly.

Abstract: A sleeve (10) for flexographic printing includes a sleeve body (2) made of an at least partially non-electroconductive material, which within its inside (4) is mountable on an electroconductive king roll on the outer wall of the roll, of a printing press, the king roll being designed as an air cylinder, and exhibiting at least one contact zone with the king roll. The sleeve exhibits an electroconductive surface (6), which is connected to the contact zone via at least one electroconductive element (20) provided in the sleeve body (2) for diverting electrostatic charges into the outer wall of the roll of the king roll. The sleeve is therefore given an electroconductive structure, through which the unavoidable electrostatic charges in printing presses with a plurality of printing couples are diverted via the king roll before it reaches a scale that would suffice for a discharge, ignition, or deflagration of the solvents used in the printing.

Abstract: A printing cylinder for a web printing press includes an extensible cylindrical sleeve configured for carrying an image to be printed. An extension device is provided for applying a force to the sleeve so as to stretch at least a portion of the sleeve and axially move the image. A method of web fanout compensation is provided.

Abstract: A rotating drum in which, when the rotating drum is rotated at high speed, there is no offset between divisional drum parts, there is little imbalance, and a moment of inertia for rotation is small. A drum main body is divided into four drum parts whose cross-sectional configurations orthogonal to an axis are fan-shaped. Female projecting portions and male projecting portions are formed at a pitch dimension having a predetermined fit-together tolerance. Thus, the drum parts can be assembled together with a certain amount of leeway at a time of assembly. After the four drum parts have been assembled together, wires are press-fit in from an end surface side of the drum main body so as to tightly fasten the drum parts. Because the assembled drum main body defines configurations of the drum parts to have point symmetry, imbalance can be made small.

Abstract: A rotating drum with a reinforcing member is disclosed. The reinforcing member resists centrifugal force applied due to high speed rotation. Both open ends of a plate cylinder of the drum are closed by side covers at which a shaft is provided. Leading end grasping portions, for allowing a printing plate to be trained about and fixed to an outer peripheral surface of the plate cylinder, are provided at the outer peripheral surface of the plate cylinder. A disc-shaped reinforcing member is fixed to an inner peripheral surface of the plate cylinder at a center in an axial direction of the plate cylinder.

Abstract: During mounting and dismounting of blankets (2) on cylinders (1), rollers (3) are pressed against the cylinder in order to ensure uniform winding and unwinding. It is necessary to apply a uniform positioning pressure for a low control and driving expenditure. According to the invention, such a device for pressing blankets against cylinders is obtained by applying simultaneously several movable rollers (3, 29), independently from each other, by means of a single actuator (4). According to a particular embodiment of the invention, first and second rollers can be actuated for respectively mounting and dismounting the blanket. The assembly can be protected against contamination by moving a protection (47) by means of the same actuator. A stop is used for the correct positioning of the plate at the forward end.

Abstract: A printing-cylinder bearing device for rotatably supporting a printing cylinder 12 via a frame 6 in such a manner that the printing cylinder can be moved between a printing position and a non-printing position, comprising a radial-load supporting means 3 having between the frame 6 and a shaft 2 of the printing cylinder 12 at least an eccentric part that is rotatable around the centerline of a hole 13 provided on the frame 6, a housing 5 interlocked with the eccentric part and provided in such a manner as to inhibit the axial movement of the printing cylinder 12 with respect to the frame 6, a thrust loading supporting means 4 interposed between the housing 5 and the shaft 2 of the printing cylinder 12, and an eccentric part rotating means 8 for rotating the eccentric part around the centerline of the hole 13 on the frame 6 and holding the rotated position of the eccentric part.

Abstract: A device for manufacturing a tubular printing blanket comprising a sleeve translation device for moving a sleeve, the sleeve providing a support layer for the printing blanket; and at least one ribbon casting device applying a flowable material, the flowable material forming a layer disposed over the sleeve. Also disclosed is a method for forming a tubular printing blanket comprising the steps of translating a sleeve in a first direction and ribbon casting at least one of a compressible layer, reinforcing layer and a print layer about the sleeve as the sleeve translates. A related blanket is also provided.

Abstract: A cylinder with a functional layer (23) and with a supporting body (1), which passes through the cylinder. On the supporting body (1), a sleeve that accommodates the functional layer (23) is supported at ends (2, 5). The supporting body (1) is for its part accommodated on supporting elements (10, 11, 13) provided on the frame side. The cylinder sleeve (3) that accommodates the functional layer (23) can be centered in relation to the axis of rotation (8) by centering faces (6, 7) formed at the ends (2, 5). One end of the cylinder can be exposed at the supporting element (13).

Abstract: The invention relates to a cylinder in a rotary press, in particular, for interacting with a form cylinder for a gravure press. According to the invention, the cylinder is improved with regard to its variable adaptability by the provision of a linear drive located at the end of the cylinder between the fixed support and rotating outer surface. Said linear drive operates in a vertical radial direction upwards toward the inner ring of a roller bearing.

Abstract: A sleeve for pressing rollers consists of an internal tube made of expandable material whose inside diameter is adapted to the diameter of the roller that is intended to carrying said material and that is connected with an outer dimensionally stable casing tube. To prevent oscillations of the casing tube that would impair good printing, the latter is provided at its terminal areas with carrying discs or bushings that at least have segments whose boreholes are adapted to the diameter of the roller with a snug fit or a pressing fit.

Abstract: A roller for industrial uses or printing uses essentially consists of non-metallic materials. The roller particularly comprises a roller core or a roller base of nonmetallic material. Besides, also bearing seats and bearings are preferably made of non-metallic material. The roller is applied in usual industrial and graphic applications. The roller can be used in a one-way procedure and be supplied to a chemical, mechanical or thermal recycling process directly after use.

Abstract: A bridge mandrel includes an inner sleeve assembly comprising the inner laminate and an outer laminate secured on each side of an intermediate hardened foam layer. The inner laminate is of multi-ply form with inner plies of base and adhesive layers separated from outer plies of base and adhesive layers by a compressible foam layer. The adhesive layers are made from high viscosity thermoplastic adhesive material. The intermediate layer is of segmented form with a radial gap between adjacent segments. A header is mounted to each end of the inner sleeve assembly.

Abstract: A chill roll for a web printing press includes a cylindrical drum. A porous layer is provided at a circumference of the drum and configured to provide a pathway for air from a first location between the chill roll and a web passing over the chill roll and a second location having a lower air pressure. Air between the chill roll and the web is thereby removed, providing improved heat transfer from the web to the chill roll.

Abstract: Printing rollers, in particular ink rollers, dampening rollers or varnishing rollers for web-fed offset printing machines and sheet-fed offset printing machines, with a rigid roller core and a roller cover with an outside layer from elastomeric or elastic plastic material are constructed that way that the roller cover is connected with the roller core detachable. In this way for inking units, dampening units and varnishing units of printing machines rollers are made available, whose roller cover is exchangeable and can be used in a one-way method.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for assembly of tubular cylindrical carriers (8) on the circumference (22) of carrier cylinders (1) of drums or cylinders, wherein for the assembly of the tubular carrier (8) on the lateral surface (22) a pressure medium acts upon the latter. By attaching an assembly aid (4), on which a tubular carrier (8) can be held, on the carrier cylinder (1), a pressure medium acts upon the latter, so that positioning of the tubular carrier (8) is made possible.

Abstract: A paper-feed roller and a fabrication method thereof in an office automation machine, such as a photocopier, a printer, and a facsimile machine, etc, includes forming a plastic roller along a general stainless shaft by a molding and forming a ceramic coating layer on a surface of the plastic roller. Accordingly, the paper-feed roller is capable of providing an economical effect in a fabrication cost and preventing a slipping of paper or a paper jam that is caused by a heat distortion and an abrasion occurring on a surface of a long time operated roller.

Abstract: A device for transmitting rotary motion to a plate-holding impression cylinder of a plate mounting machine for flexographic printing, comprising a backup roll which can be actuated rotatably by a first motor; a beam, which is provided with crescent-shaped rests for rotatably supporting end pivots of the impression cylinder; a gear coaxial to the impression cylinder and rotatably supported by a head associated with the beam; and a hollow transmission shaft engaging at one end, one of the pivots and, at the other end, the gear; the transmission shaft being movable coaxially to the gear between a retracted disengagement configuration and a protruding engagement configuration in which the impression cylinder is actuatable.

Abstract: A printer system including one or more printer rollers is capable of imprinting an identifiable texturing on print media. The identifiable texturing can be used to match print media from the printer system with the printer system. The printer system can imprint identifiable texturing that is not visible to the unaided eye. Therefore, a user of the printer system is unaware that the print medium can be matched with the printer system. The imprinting process is a relatively simple process in which the surface of the print medium is mechanically deformed. Therefore, expensive chemical analysis is not required to match the print medium with the printer system.

Abstract: A support sleeve made of a metallic material, preferably of nickel, is provided at at least one longitudinal end with a chamfer running all around in the inner circumference. This prevents damage to a film-like coating or thin intermediate sleeve, which surrounds the cylinder core to which the sleeve is fitted. A device for chamfering and deburring the longitudinal ends of the sleeve include a supporting body having a cylindrical journal with a diameter only slightly smaller than the internal diameter of the sleeve to be machined, in order to accommodate a longitudinal end of the sleeve and to guide the cut. A cutting holder is machined on the supporting body by means of which holder a cutter can be brought up to the inner circumference of the longitudinal end of the sleeve to be machined, and the supporting body can be rotated relative to the sleeve to be machined and pushed onto the journal.

Abstract: Novel printing surfaces for off-set printing blankets are provided having a resilience of less than about 40% and an average surface roughness of less than about 0.5 microns. Such low-resilience printing surfaces have been found to transfer up to greater than 90% of the ink applied thereto and can be used to transfer ink on a wide variety of substrates.

Abstract: A replaceable sleeve having a working surface is provided which is adapted to be mounted on a carrier. The sleeve includes an inner polymeric layer, a reinforcing layer overlying the inner layer, an intermediate polymeric layer overlying the reinforcing layer, and an outer polymeric layer. The sleeve may include a cushion layer between the intermediate layer and the outer layer. The layers comprising the sleeve are formed around a support and then cured simultaneously in a single step. The resulting sleeve may be used in printing operations or in other applications such as coating, embossing, laminating, calendering and the like.