An imager for applying high resolution image information into a photopolymer printing plate having a printing area on a front surface thereof and a back surface opposite the front surface, the imager comprising: a front side radiation source configured to emit radiation suitable for curing the photopolymer printing plate; an imaging location for mounting the printing plate at a predetermined distance from the front side radiation source with the front surface facing the front side radiation source; a modulator disposed between the front side radiation source and the front surface of the printing plate, the modulator configured to modulate radiation directed from the front side radiation source to the front surface; a scanner mechanism for providing relative motion between the front surface of the printing plate and the front side radiation source, the scanner mechanism operable to cover all of the printing area with modulated radiation; a controller connected to the modulator and the scanner mechanism and configured to provide control signals for the modulator and the scanner mechanism operable to expose the front surface of the printing plate to the modulated radiation corresponding to the high resolution image information; and optics configured to focus the modulated radiation to a focal spot, wherein the imager is configured to image the printing plate by locating the focal spot a distance above the front surface such that the modulated radiation propagates from the focal spot toward the printing plate in a beam having a conical shape suitable to create a cured profile in the polymer material that defines conically shaped support shoulders in printing features resulting from further processing of the printing plate. a front side radiation source configured to emit radiation suitable for curing the photopolymer printing plate; an imaging location for mounting the printing plate at a predetermined distance from the front side radiation source with the front surface facing the front side radiation source; a modulator disposed between the front side radiation source and the front surface of the printing plate, the modulator configured to modulate radiation directed from the front side radiation source to the front surface; a scanner mechanism for providing relative motion between the front surface of the printing plate and the front side radiation source, the scanner mechanism operable to cover all of the printing area with modulated radiation; a controller connected to the modulator and the scanner mechanism and configured to provide control signals for the modulator and the scanner mechanism operable to expose the front surface of the printing plate to the modulated radiation corresponding to the high resolution image information; and optics configured to focus the modulated radiation to a focal spot, wherein the imager is configured to image the printing plate by locating the focal spot a distance above the front surface such that the modulated radiation propagates from the focal spot toward the printing plate in a beam having a conical shape suitable to create a cured profile in the polymer material that defines conically shaped support shoulders in printing features resulting from further processing of the printing plate.