Method for smoother tonal response in flexographic printing
US11203217B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 20, 2020 |
| Grant date | Dec 21, 2021 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 20, 2040 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N1/405
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An imaging system, including a laser source and a controller, for producing a mask for a flexographic plate. The imaging data includes a base pattern comprised of spots superimposed on the image information and aligned to a grid defined by an imaging resolution of an imager. Each spot corresponding to an imaged discrete element in the base pattern is surrounded by eight spots corresponding to non-imaged discrete elements. In at least a portion of the mask corresponding to a non-solid tonal area of the plate, the controller adjusts the laser beam to a size that causes each set of four neighboring imaged discrete elements to have an unexposed or unablated area centered therebetween, wherein the unablated area resolves to a region on a surface of the plate below an uppermost level but above a non-printing level, and each of the four neighboring imaged discrete elements resolves to the uppermost level.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.