摘要 |
To apply a printed image on a printing form, a transfer tape is passed under a recording head, the transfer tape receiving, upon application of energy to the recording head, substance particles which change the surface of the printing form to have, respectively, ink accepting and ink repellent surface areas or, respectively, to fill the cells of a gravure cylinder, the transfer tape then being applied against the printing form and the substance particles therefrom being transferred to the printing form under influence of heat, or other energy, e.g. electrostatic or electromagnetic. Recording on the transfer tape, under control of an electronic control unit, can be carried out on a point-by-point or line-by-line basis at a recording speed which is slow with respect to the speed of operation of the reproducing head applying the substance particles to the printed form, so that information can be stored on the tape while a previously prepared printing form can print on the substrate. The information can be erased from the printing form by melting off the substance particles, after cleaning of residual ink, and wiping, blotting or blowing off the molten particles.
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