METHOD OF MAKING A PHOTOPOLYMER SLEEVE BLANK HAVING AN INTEGRAL UV TRANSPARENT CUSHION LAYER FOR FLEXOGRAPHIC PRINTING

摘要

A method of making a photopolymer sleeve blank (10) for use in flexographic printing is provided which includes providing a base sleeve (12), applying a cushion layer (14) over the base sleeve (12) which is substantially transparent to curing radiation, applying an optional barrier layer (16) ove r the cushion layer (14), and applying a photopolymer layer (18) over the barrier or cushion layer. The inner surface of the base sleeve is then expos ed to curing radiation such that the radiation penetrates the sleeve and cushio n layer to substantially cure a portion of the thickness of the photopolymer layer.