Printing blanket including a non-extensible backing layer and a relief area which may be mounted in a variety of lockup mechanisms

A printing blanket mounted on a blanket cylinder including a gap and a lockup mechanism within said gap;

• said printing blanket comprising at least a printable surface ply and a non-extensible backing layer comprising a polymeric material or a reinforcing material which has been impregnated with a polymeric material, said printing blanket having first and second ends;
• wherein at least a portion of said non-extensible backing layer spaced inwardly from each end of said blanket has been removed or molded to form relief areas, and wherein blanket bars are attached to each relief area such that said blanket bars have a coplanar surface with said backing layer;
• wherein said blanket bars extend beyond the length of said blanket;
• and wherein said blanket bars are bent and fitted into said lockup mechanism.