This blog was written and submitted to us by Torben Wendland
In flexo platemaking, Photopolymer printing forms (different from direct engraved printing forms) are generated through UV light exposure. The UV light is starting a chemical reaction which leads to cross-linking of plate components. The polymerization process is only happening in areas which were exposed to UV light. This way, a latent image is created which is transformed into a relief during the processing step. Depending on the processing technology, a drying step is required, before plate finishing finalizes the platemaking. The whole process can be separated into following parts:
Back Exposure (also Pre-Exposure)
A full area UV-A exposure through the transparent PET carrier film is creating the plate floor. The floor thickness is determining the final relief depth. Usually, the back exposure represents the first step in platemaking, but depending on the equipment in use, it can also be done after Laser Imaging.
Laser Imaging
While in the past, a film was used to transfer the image onto the plate, nowadays typically a laser imager is used. For laser imaging, a certain type of plate, often referred to as „digital“ plate is required (as opposed to „conventional“ plates for the film process).
The laser is partly removing the black layer which is present on top of the digital plate. This layer serves as a mask in the following platemaking step. After plate imaging, an inverted image is visible on the plate.
Main Exposure
The plate is then completely exposed to UV-A light from the top. This UV-A exposure, typically taking 5-15 minutes, is starting the polymerization process in the plate and creates the latent image between polymerized and unpolymerized areas.
Processing
Depending on the plate technology, processing is done with solvent or in a thermal process. In thermal processing, the unpolymerized material is liquified by heat and removed with a developer material. In the solvent process, the material is dissolved and removed with mechanical help. The remaining polymerized areas are forming the plate relief.
Drying
In case of solvent processing, plate drying is required until the solvent is fully evaporated from the plate. For thermal processing this step is not needed.
Plate Finishing (UV-A Post Exposure & UV-C Detacking)
In the last step, the plate is once again exposed to UV-A light, to fully cross-link the whole plate and achieve the final plate hardness. UV-C light is used to remove the surface tackiness of the plate.
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