Other

Macdermid Graphics Solutions, LLC

Joseph H Blair

Ryan W Vest

David A Recchia

A method of thermally developing a photocurable printing blank to produce a relief image comprising a plurality of relief dots is provided. The photocurable printing blank comprises a backing layer having at least one photocurable layer disposed thereon. The method includes the steps of (1) laminating an oxygen barrier membrane to a top of the photocurable layer; (2) placing a negative of the desired relief image on top of the oxygen barrier membrane; (3) exposing the printing blank to actinic radiation through the oxygen barrier and negative to crosslink and cure portions of the at least one photocurable layer, creating the relief pattern; (4) removing the oxygen barrier membrane and negative from the top of the at least one photocurable layer; and (5) developing the printing blank to reveal the relief image. The presence of the oxygen barrier membrane produces dots having desired characteristics. The negative itself can be used as the oxygen barrier layer.

Photosensitive resin laminate and thermal processing of the same

A method of thermally developing photocurable printing blank to produce a relief pattern comprising a plurality of relief dots. The photocurable printing blank comprises a backing layer having at least one photocurable layer disposed thereon and a laser ablatable mask layer disposed on top of the at least one photocurable layer. The method includes the steps of (1) imaging the at least one photocurable layer by ablating portions of the laser ablatable mask layer; (2) laminating an oxygen barrier membrane to a top of the laser ablated mask layer; (3) exposing the printing blank to actinic radiation through the oxygen barrier membrane and mask layer to actinic radiation, thereby creating the relief pattern; (4) removing the oxygen barrier membrane; and (5) thermally developing the printing blank to remove the laser ablated mask layer and uncured portions of the photocurable layer and reveal the relief pattern. The presence of the oxygen harrier membrane produces printing dots having desired characteristics.

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Dallas, GA, United States of America

Joseph H Blair