METHOD FOR IMPROVING PRINT PERFORMANCE OF FLEXOGRAPHIC PRINTING ELEMENTS

摘要

A method of making a relief image printing element having a relief pattern, the method comprising the steps of: a) selectively ablating the masking layer to create an overall image in the masking layer, such that the overall image comprises a sub-image, comprising a pattern of cells, in it; b) applying an oxygen barrier layer on top of the masking layer; c) exposing the printing element to actinic radiation through the oxygen barrier layer and the masking layer to selectively crosslink: and cure the at least one photocurable layer, thereby creating the relief image therein and a textured surface on the printing element; and d) developing the printing blank by removing the barrier layer and the uncured portions of the photocmable layer to reveal the relief image.