Preparation of flexographic printing masters using an additive process

摘要

A method of forming a printing master on a flexographic plate by melting a radiation-curable phase change ink including at least one curable monomer, at least one phase change agent, at least one photoinitiator and an optional colorant. Multiple layers of the melted phase change ink are then deposited on the flexographic plate to form a raised pattern. Each of the deposited layers of ink are gelled before the deposition of a subsequent layer on the deposited layer. After a printing master with sufficient thickness is formed on the flexographic plate, the ink on the flexographic plate is cured.