A system is for processing a photosensitive flexographic printing plate having a latent image formed by image-wise exposure of an aqueous-processable photopolymer. The system can use a first aqueous processing solution with the latent image for cleaning and then washing a resulting relief image with a second aqueous processing solution, where the second aqueous processing solution is devoid of the photopolymer. A processing solution tank is configured to combine the first used aqueous processing solution with the second used aqueous processing solution to form a combined used aqueous processing solution. A processing solution removal can include: a holding tank configured for receiving the combined used aqueous processing solution; and a conduit from the processing solution tank to the holding tank. The processing solution tank includes the combined used aqueous processing solution at less than a predefined maximum volume and having the photopolymer at less than a predefined maximum concentration.

Provided is a conveying type washing device capable of achieving both maintainability and productivity. This conveying type washing device develops a flexographic printing plate precursor after imagewise exposure using a washing solution. The conveying type washing device has a conveying unit that conveys the flexographic printing plate precursor through a conveying path including a curved conveying path, and a development unit that develops the flexographic printing plate precursor in a state in which the flexographic printing plate precursor is immersed in the washing solution by the conveying unit and conveyed.

An on-press development type lithographic printing plate precursor including an aluminum support having an anodized film and an image-recording layer provided on the support, a shear droop shape in which an amount X of shear droop is from 25 to 150 m and a width Y of shear droop is from 70 to 300 m is provided on an edge portion of the lithographic printing plate precursor, and an area ratio of cracks present on a surface of the anodized film in a region corresponding to the width of shear droop Y of the lithographic printing plate precursor is 30% or less, and a method for producing a lithographic printing plate using the on-press development type lithographic printing plate precursor are provided.

A method for processing a photosensitive flexographic printing plate having an aqueous-processable photopolymer. A main processing unit is used to develop a relief image by removing unexposed photopolymer using an aqueous processing solution including a first dispersing agent while the photosensitive flexographic printing plate is being subjected to mechanical cleaning. Used aqueous processing solution containing the removed photopolymer is returned back into a processing solution tank. A secondary processing unit is used to wash the developed relief image with secondary aqueous processing solution including a second dispersing agent to remove debris from the developed relief image. Used secondary aqueous processing solution containing the removed photopolymer is directed into the processing solution tank. A portion of the aqueous processing solution from the processing solution tank is removed to keep a volume of aqueous processing solution in the processing solution tank below a predefined maximum volume.

A developer composition for a water-developable photosensitive flexographic printing original plate is disclosed, containing (a) a nonionic surfactant composed of monoalkyl ether and/or monoalkyl ester of polyethylene glycol, wherein a number of carbon atoms of the alkyl group therein is 8 to 19, and wherein an HLB value thereof is 11 to 16; and (b) one or more anionic surfactants selected from the group consisting of oleic acid metal salt, lauric acid metal salt, dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid metal salt and lauryl sulfate metal salt, wherein a content ratio of (a):(b) is 25:75 to 75:25 (mass ratio), and wherein a brushing friction coefficient on a surface of a printing original plate is 0.60 to 0.75[?], when measured in an aqueous developer containing 1% by mass of the developer composition and 99% by mass of water.

A method for processing a photosensitive flexographic printing plate having an aqueous-processable photopolymer. A main processing unit is used to develop a relief image by removing unexposed photopolymer using an aqueous processing solution including a first dispersing agent while the photosensitive flexographic printing plate is being subjected to mechanical cleaning. Used aqueous processing solution containing the removed photopolymer is returned back into a processing solution tank. A secondary processing unit is used to wash the developed relief image with secondary aqueous processing solution including a second dispersing agent to remove debris from the developed relief image. Used secondary aqueous processing solution containing the removed photopolymer is directed into the processing solution tank. A portion of the aqueous processing solution from the processing solution tank is removed to keep a volume of aqueous processing solution in the processing solution tank below a predefined maximum volume.

A method for processing a photosensitive flexographic printing plate having an aqueous-processable photopolymer. A main processing unit is used to develop a relief image by removing unexposed photopolymer using an aqueous processing solution including a first dispersing agent while the photosensitive flexographic printing plate is being subjected to mechanical cleaning. Used aqueous processing solution containing the removed photopolymer is returned back into a processing solution tank. A secondary processing unit is used to wash the developed relief image with secondary aqueous processing solution including a second dispersing agent to remove debris from the developed relief image. Used secondary aqueous processing solution containing the removed photopolymer is directed into the processing solution tank. A portion of the aqueous processing solution from the processing solution tank is removed to keep a volume of aqueous processing solution in the processing solution tank below a predefined maximum volume.

There are provided a washout processor and a washing method that suppress generation of a brush mark and that suppress generation of development unevenness. There is provided a washout processor that develops an imagewise exposed flexographic printing plate precursor using a washing solution with a developing brush, the washout processor including a development unit that performs development using the washing solution by simultaneously performing circular movement and linear reciprocation of the developing brush on the flexographic printing plate precursor, in which the circular movement and the linear reciprocation of the developing brush by the development unit satisfy at least one of the following condition (a) or (b). Condition (a) In a case where a stop time in a case of switching between directions of the linear reciprocation of the developing brush is t seconds and a rotation speed of the circular movement of the developing brush is R times per second, t<R is satisfied. Condition (b) In a case where the number of times of linear reciprocation per unit time in the linear reciprocation of the developing brush is f times per second and the rotation speed of the circular movement of the developing brush is R times per second, f<R is satisfied.

There is provided a system or apparatus for washing out flexographic printing plates. The system is presented in two distinct embodiments or aspects. In one embodiment the system is provided with a large number of rotating brushes which are at least partly immersed in a liquid bath. The second embodiment is based on a flat brush with an eccentric suspension

An apparatus for treating a relief precursor with a liquid includes a housing, a conveying mechanism for transporting the relief precursor along a support plane in a transport direction through the housing, and a treatment section for treating the relief precursor with a liquid. The treatment section includes a plurality of brushes arranged in the housing for treating the relief precursor, the plurality of brushes including at least a first brush and a second brush downstream of the first brush and having a rotating axis with bristles. A squeeze element squeezes the bristles of the second brush and extends over a radial distance into the bristles of the second brush. The radial distance is at least 15% of the length of the bristles.