Patent ID: 7875321

Claim:
A method for making a flexographic printing plate using an inkjet printing system comprising the steps of: applying at least a first image-wise layer of ink on a substrate with drops of ink from the inkjet printing system; immobilizing by radiation curing the drops of ink of the first image-wise layer, wherein the time between the applying and the immobilizing each of the drops of ink in the first image-wise layer of ink is less than 10 seconds; controlling a print head of the inkjet printing system to keep a distance from the print head to a top recording surface that receives the drops of ink constant; applying at least a second image-wise layer with drops of ink on the first image-wise layer of ink after the step of immobilizing the first image-wise layer; and immobilizing by radiation curing the drops of ink of the second image-wise layer, wherein the time between the applying and the immobilizing each of the drops of ink in the second image-wise layer is less than 10 seconds; wherein the at least a first image-wise layer and the at least a second image-wise layer form a relief on the substrate containing at least one dot including a top print area and a side having a non-linear slope with respect to a vertical direction perpendicular to the substrate thereby obtaining the flexographic printing plate, the non-linear slope of the side providing sufficient physical support for the at least one dot during a flexographic printing process.