Method and apparatus for thermal development having a textured support surface

A method for forming a relief structure from a photosensitive element having an exterior surface and an interior surface and containing a composition layer capable of being partially liquefied comprising:

• supplying a development medium to the exterior surface with a first member;
• supporting the photosensitive element on a base member having an exterior surface, wherein the interior surface of the element is adjacent the exterior surface of the base member;
• and
• wherein the exterior surface of the base member defines a plane that is characterized by a plurality of surface projections from the plane, the exterior surface having a tack between 10 and 40 grams and a texture with a surface roughness, Rq, of at least 3 micron when measured over a 500 to 3000 micron length scale,
• wherein the combination of surface projections, tack and texture reduces air entrapment between the element and the base member, and allows for movement or slippage of the photosensitive element on the base member during relief structure formation, and
• wherein the method further comprises applying a layer of a modification material to the base member wherein the layer of material forms the exterior surface having texture, wherein the applying of the layer is with a texturing spray gun that both applies the layer and also renders the texture to the layer.

An apparatus for forming a relief structure from a photosensitive element having an exterior surface and an interior surface and containing a composition layer capable of being partially liquefied comprising:

• means for supplying a development medium to the exterior surface with a first member;
• a base member for supporting the photosensitive element,
• wherein the interior surface of the element is adjacent an exterior surface of the base member;
• and
• wherein the exterior surface of the base member defines a plane that is characterized by a plurality of surface projections from the plane, the exterior surface having a tack between 10 and 40 grams and a texture
• having a roughness, Rq, of at least 1 micron when measured over a 250 to 1000 micron length scale;
• wherein the combination of surface projections, tack and texture reduces air entrapment between the element and the base member, and allows for movement or slippage of the photosensitive element on the base member during relief structure formation;
• and
• wherein the base member is coated with a layer of a modification material that forms the exterior surface having texture, wherein the layer of modification is applied to the base member with a texturing spray gun that both applies the layer and also renders the texture to the layer.