Device and method for producing flexographic plates using digital imaging, for newspaper printing

An apparatus for the in-line production of flexographic printing plates by means of digital imaging, at least comprising

• (A) a unit for holding digitally imageable, photopolymerizable, flexographic printing elements having a thickness of from 0.4 to 1.0 mm,
• (B) a unit for the digital imaging of the flexographic printing element, which comprises at least two functional units of the same type, selected from the group consisting of thermal printing heads, of IR lasers, inkjet printing heads or thermal printing heads,
• (C) an exposure unit,
• (D) a washout unit,
• (E) a drying unit,
• (F) optionally an aftertreatment unit,
• (G) an output unit for the flexographic printing plates obtained, and
• (H) transport units for the flexographic printing elements or plates, which connect the units (A) to (G) to one another,
• the units (A) to (H) being designed so that the flexographic printing elements or plates are processed in the flat state.