Systems and methods for combined radiation and functional layer application

A method for preparing a printing plate, the method comprising:

• (a) providing a combined radiation/functional layer application unit comprising one or more radiation sources configured to emit radiation, and a functional layer application unit commonly located with the one or more radiation sources, the functional layer application unit comprising a functional layer supply unit having a supply of an an oxygen-blocking functional layer;
• (b) fixing the printing plate relative to the combined radiation and functional layer application unit, the printing plate having a surface oriented to receive radiation from the one or more radiation sources and the functional layer from the functional layer application unit;
• (c) causing the combined radiation and functional layer application unit to move in the first direction relative to the fixed printing plate while applying the functional layer over the printing plate surface from the functional layer supply unit and then exposing the printing plate through the functional layer to the radiation emitted from the one or more radiation sources.

-59. (canceled)