Adhesive printing form attachment layer in tube shape, method for its manufacture, and method of printing using the same

An attachment layer for a printing plate, comprising:

• an inner layer comprising a natural or synthetic rubber material;
• an elastic layer disposed directly on the inner layer, the elastic layer being non-continuous in a grid-like or net-like structure comprising a rubber;
• and
• a permanently sticky layer disposed over the elastic layer,
• wherein the inner layer, the sticky layer, and the elastic layer define a seamless tube,
• wherein the inner layer defines an interior surface of the seamless tube, and
• further wherein the sticky layer defines an exterior surface of the seamless tube.

A method of assembling a printing assembly, comprising:

• pulling an attachment layer for a printing plate over a printing sleeve, wherein the attachment layer comprises:
• a support layer comprising an elastic material or a non-elastic material;
• and
• a permanently sticky layer disposed directly on the support layer,
• wherein the permanently sticky layer and the support layer define a seamless tube,
• further wherein the permanently sticky layer defines a circumference and an exterior surface of the seamless tube, and
• further wherein the permanently sticky layer is disposed directly on the support layer as discrete segments that space apart from each other upon expansion of the support layer.