Ultra-Fine Textured Digital Lithographic Imaging Plate and Method of Manufacture

A method of forming a molded elastomeric imaging blanket for a printing apparatus, the imaging blanket having an imaging surface configured to transfer an image to a substrate during a printing process of the printing apparatus, the method comprising:

• preparing a mold structure for receipt of a fluorosilicone elastomeric blanket compound, said mold structure comprising at least one glass molding surface;
• introducing said fluorosilicone elastomeric blanket compound in liquid state within said mold structure, said fluorosilicone elastomeric blanket compound comprising dispersed 3-25 percent by weight carbon;
• curing said blanket compound to produce said molded imaging blanket;
• releasing said imaging blanket from said mold structure;
• and
• uniformly etching a surface of said imaging blanket formed in physical contact with said glass molding surface to form a texture pattern therein, said surface forming said imaging surface of said imaging blanket.

A method of forming a molded elastomeric imaging blanket for a printing apparatus, the imaging blanket having an imaging surface configured to transfer an image to a substrate during a printing process of the printing apparatus, the method comprising:

• preparing a mold structure for receipt of a fluorosilicone elastomeric blanket compound, said mold structure comprising at least one glass molding surface;
• introducing said fluorosilicone elastomeric blanket compound in liquid state within said mold, said fluorosilicone elastomeric blanket compound comprising a dark tinted material with substantially 3-25 percent by weight carbon and granular material;
• curing said fluorosilicone elastomeric blanket compound to produce said molded elastomeric imaging blanket;
• releasing said molded imaging blanket from said mold structure;
• and
• uniformly etching a surface of said imaging blanket formed in physical contact with said glass molding surface to form a texture pattern therein, said surface forming said imaging surface of said imaging blanket, said etching configured to provide a greater material removal rate for said fluorosilicone elastomeric blanket compound as compared to said granular material;
• said etching is further configured to provide said imaging surface with a periodic surface roughness, Ra, of substantially between 0.1 and 1.5 microns.