Abstract:
A method of preparing a photosensitive printing blank, the method comprising the steps of: a) coating a slip film onto a coversheet and drying the slip film; and depositing at least one layer of photosensitive material on top of the slip film coated coversheet and laminating a substrate layer to the exposed surface of the photosensitive material. The slip film comprises: i) a polymer selected from the group consisting of polystyrene and polyvinylpyrrolidone; ii) optionally, an additive. The slip film at least substantially eliminates the formation of hot spots during an analog plate making process.
Abstract:
A method of controlling the shape of a plurality of relief dots created in a photosensitive printing blank during a digital platemaking process is provided. The photosensitive printing blank comprises a laser ablatable mask layer disposed on at least one photocurable layer. The method comprises the steps of: a) laser ablating the laser ablatable mask layer to create an in situ negative in the laser ablatable mask layer; b) applying a barrier membrane to the photosensitive printing blank; c) exposing the at least one photocurable layer to actinic radiation through the in situ negative; and d) developing the imaged and exposed photosensitive printing blank to reveal the relief image therein, said relief image comprising the plurality of relief dots. The presence of the barrier membrane produces printing dots having planarity of a top surface, a desired shoulder angle, or a desired edge sharpness.
Abstract:
A method of preparing a photosensitive printing blank, the method comprising the steps of: a) coating a slip film onto a coversheet and drying the slip film; and depositing at least one layer of photosensitive material on top of the slip film coated coversheet and laminating a substrate layer to the exposed surface of the photosensitive material. The slip film comprises: i) a polymer selected from the group consisting of polystyrene and polyvinylpyrrolidone; ii) optionally, an additive. The slip film at least substantially eliminates the formation of hot spots during an analog plate making process.