Formation of print surfaces

摘要

A print surface is formed by photoexposure of a photocurable resin layer through a photomask comprising an image-wise distribution of opaque material on its image surface, and sticking of the image surface to the resin layer during photoexposure is prevented by providing over the image surface a clear thin film of a natural gum or other material that is impermeable to softeners such as alcohols that are liberated from the resin layer. A coated photomask may be made by image-wise laser scanning of a transparent sheet to which opaque material such as graphite is bonded by a binder such as an alkyl cellulose, followed by application of the film over the resultant image-wise distribution of opaque material.