Method for making printing plate using inkjet
AssigneeCreo Inc.
InventorDaniel Gelbart
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In accordance with the present invention an elastomeric printing plate, with a printing surface finish that allows it to be used in flexographic printing, is grown by a method based on an inkjet process. By employing two different materials, one used as a removable filler, the printing plate is grown in inverted orientation with its printing surface against a modifying surface that modifies the growth of the printing plate and, in particular, ensures that the raised image on the printing plate has a smooth surface finish. The present invention allows the generation of a flexographic printing plate in a short time without the need for high power CO2 lasers and liquid processing steps.
Claims30
A method of manufacturing a printing plate comprising a patterned printing surface and a backing, said method comprising:
- providing a deposition-modifying surface;
- forming a printing surface by depositing a pattern of a first material on said deposition-modifying surface;
- applying a backing layer over said printing surface while said printing surface is on said deposition-modifying surface;
- and,
- removing said backing layer and printing surface from the deposition-modifying surface.
A method for making a patterned flexographic printing plate, the method comprising:
- depositing on a deposition-modifying surface a printing surface comprising a pattern of a first material by sequentially applying a plurality of layers of the first material in the pattern;
- and,
- subsequently removing the printing surface from the deposition-modifying surface and using the removed printing surface as a plate for flexographic printing.
A method for making a patterned flexographic printing plate, the method comprising:
- depositing on a deposition-modifying surface a printing surface comprising a pattern of a first material by sequentially applying a plurality of layers of the first material in the pattern;
- and,
- subsequently removing the printing surface from the deposition-modifying surface wherein depositing said printing surface comprises:
- depositing a second material on said deposition-modifying surface in places where said first material has not been deposited;
- and,
- removing said second material after depositing said printing surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.