Method for improving print performance in flexographic printing plates

1. A method of imaging a flexographic printing blank, the method comprising the steps of:

a) providing a photosensitive printing blank comprising a backing layer, at least one layer of photoresin on top of the backing layer and a removable coversheet directly on top of the at least one layer of photoresin;

b) imaging the at least one layer of photoresin through the removable coversheet using a laser to cure the at least one layer of photoresin and create a relief image therein; and

c) thereafter, removing the removable coversheet.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the removable coversheet is transparent.

3. The method according to claim 2 , wherein the removable coversheet comprises a material selected from the group consisting of polyamides, polyvinyl alcohol, hydroxyalkyl cellulose, copolymers of ethylene and vinyl acetate, amphoteric interpolymers, cellulose acetate butyrate, alkyl cellulose, butyral, cyclic rubbers, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyester and combinations of one or more of the foregoing.

4. The method according to claim 3 , wherein the removable coversheet comprises polyethylene terephthalate.

5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the laser operates in the UV range and scans the surface of the at least one layer of photoresin through the coversheet.

6. The method according to claim 5 , wherein the laser is a laser diode operating at a wavelength of 405 nm.

7. The method according to claim 5 , wherein the laser scans the at least one layer of photoresin at a scanning speed of between 500 and 600 rpm.

8. The method according to claim 7 , wherein the laser scans the at least one layer of photoresin at a scanning speed of 550 rpm.

9. The method according to claim 5 , wherein the laser scans the at least one layer of photoresin using a multi-pass imaging protocol.

10. The method according to claim 1 , where dots created in the at least one layer of photoresin by the laser have a flat top.

11. The method according to claim 10 , wherein a minimum dot size held in the at least one layer of photoresin is 11% or less.

12. The method according to claim 11 , wherein laser scan lines are not visible on the relief image formed in the at least one layer of photoresin.

13. The method according to claim 12 , wherein the average surface roughness of the dots created in the at least one layer of photoresin is 2000 nm.

14. The method according to claim 12 , wherein the average surface roughness of the dots created in the at least one layer of photoresin is less than 2000 nm.

15. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one layer of photoresin comprises a crosslinkable elastomeric compound, a plasticizing compound, monomeric binder compounds and one or more photoinitiator compounds.