Material removal during manufacture of a flexographic printing plate involves directing a radiation beam of specific wave length at an absorbing ablative layer and leaving a stabilizing layer intact

摘要

Printing plate comprises a thin stabilizing layer (16) carrying an ablatable layer (14), the latter absorbing radiation of a certain wave length to leave the stabilizing layer intact. A radiation beam of suitable wave length is aimed at the surface of the ablatable layer in areas adjacent to those which are to remain raised and the ablated material is removed leaving recesses. An Independent claim is made for a flexographic printing plate made by the process which has a thin stabilizing layer unaffected by the radiation and a central ablatable layer (14) 0.1-3 mm thick, covered by a thin outer elastomer layer (12) 0.02-0.1 mm thick. Preferred Feature: The ablative layer may, if necessary, be removed right down to the stabilizing layer.