Extended print sleeve and method for preparing a printing form from the sleeve

A method for making an extended print sleeve having a longitudinal axis and adapted to form a printing form having a circumferential seam with no printing surface disposed a distance D along said longitudinal axis from one end thereof comprising:

• providing a first print element comprising a cylindrically-shaped support having a photosensitive layer thereon;
• providing a second print element comprising a cylindrically-shaped support having a photosensitive layer thereon and a length substantially equal to distance D;
• and
• placing said first and said second print elements at a fixed position end to end thereof along said longitudinal axis.

A method for preparing a cylindrically-shaped printing form having a longitudinal axis and a circumferential seam with no printing surface disposed a distance D along said longitudinal axis from one end thereof comprising:

• providing an extended print sleeve comprising
• a first print element;
• and
• a second print element;
• wherein each print element comprises a separate cylindrically-shaped support having a photosensitive layer thereon and disposed at a fixed position along said longitudinal axis, wherein said second print element has a length substantially equal to distance D, and wherein each photosensitive layer comprises a binder, a monomer and a photoinitiator;
• exposing the extended print sleeve to actinic radiation;
• and
• treating the exposed extended print sleeve to form a relief surface suitable for printing.