Edge cure prevention process

摘要

An automated method of preventing edge curing of cut surfaces of photosensitive printing elements is disclosed. Once a photosensitive printing element is cut in a pattern of a desired size and shape, a portion of the coversheet on a periphery of the cut edges of the printing plate is removed, while leaving intact the layer of photocurable material and the optional ablation layer beneath the coversheet. Next, an edge cure prevention composition is applied to the optional ablation layer or the layer of photocurable material revealed by the removal of the portion of the coversheet. Once the edge cure prevention composition is dried, the remainder of the coversheet may be removed from the photosensitive printing element and the printing element may be mounted on a sleeve or cylindrical carrier for further processing. The method ensures that the edge cure prevention composition is applied only to areas where it is needed and does not affect imageable areas of the printing plate.