Patent ID: 9291891
Filing Date: 2016-03-22
CPC Classification: G03F

Claim Text:
1. A method of making a relief image printing element with reduced surface roughness allowing for increased solid ink density when said relief image printing element is used for printing, wherein the relief image printing element comprises at least one layer of photopolymer that has been selectively imagewise exposed to actinic radiation to selectively crosslink and cure portions of the at least one layer of photopolymer, wherein the portions of the at least one layer of photopolymer that are crosslinked and cured form the relief image and the portions of the at least one layer of photopolymer that are not crosslinked and cured are removable in a subsequent development step, the method comprising in order the steps of: a) thermally developing the relief image printing element to remove the portions of the at least one layer of photopolymer that are not cross-linked and cured by: b) contacting the at least one layer of photopolymer with a smooth flexible sheet material while pressure and heat are applied to the smooth flexible sheet material in forcing it into contact with the at least one layer of photopolymer; and c) separating the smooth flexible sheet material from the at least one layer of photopolymer.