Gravure short run printing plate
US6609459B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 14, 2001 |
| Grant date | Aug 26, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 14, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB41C1/025
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The present invention relates to a method and materials for producing digitally imaged short-run gravure printing plates and cylinders comprising the steps of providing an image-ready printing blank having a substrate, a UV curing layer, and an IR absorbing, UV-opaque layer. Alternatively, the blank plate can be provided in a two-part construction comprising the metallic substrate and an IR-sensitive film for either processless ablation or ablation transfer imaging Digital imaging of the blank plate is performed using an IR laser which causes selective ablation of areas of the upper IR absorbing layer, thus forming an image structure having exposed and unexposed areas on the underlying UV curing layer. The plate is then flood-cured with UV radiation and washed to better expose the hardened image structure areas of the UV curing layer which have formed and which provide the cells for holding printing ink for use in the gravure printing process.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.