The present specification describes a cliché, a method of manufacturing the cliché, and a printing method using the cliché.

Methods and apparatus for contacting printing via electrostatic force. In one example, an apparatus for contact printing using an ink includes a substrate, a conductive layer disposed on the substrate, and a group of microstructures disposed on the conductive layer. Each microstructure includes a group of conductive porous medium extending from the conductive layer. The apparatus also includes a dielectric layer conformally disposed on the microstructures and configured to electrically insulate the microstructures from the ink during use. The conductive layer is configured to apply a voltage on the group of microstructures to facilitate the loading and dispensing of ink.

Methods and apparatus for contacting printing via electrostatic force. In one example, an apparatus for contact printing using an ink includes a substrate, a conductive layer disposed on the substrate, and a group of microstructures disposed on the conductive layer. Each microstructure includes a group of conductive porous medium extending from the conductive layer. The apparatus also includes a dielectric layer conformally disposed on the microstructures and configured to electrically insulate the microstructures from the ink during use. The conductive layer is configured to apply a voltage on the group of microstructures to facilitate the loading and dispensing of ink.

A flexographic printing system prints image patterns including one or more uniform image regions on a substrate. A flexographic printing plate includes a pattern of raised features for transferring ink to the substrate in accordance with the image pattern. An anilox roller having a plurality of anilox cells is configured to transfer ink to the flexographic printing plate. Uniform image regions of the flexographic printing plate corresponding to the uniform image regions of the image pattern include a pattern of raised feature shapes positioned in a pattern of pseudo-random feature locations. An average spacing between the raised feature shapes in the uniform image regions is less than an anilox cell size such that a plurality of the raised feature shapes receive ink from a single anilox cell of the anilox roller.

An imaging system, including a laser source and a controller, for producing a mask for a flexographic plate. The imaging data includes a base pattern comprised of spots superimposed on the image information and aligned to a grid defined by an imaging resolution of an imager. Each spot corresponding to an imaged discrete element in the base pattern is surrounded by eight spots corresponding to non-imaged discrete elements. In at least a portion of the mask corresponding to a non-solid tonal area of the plate, the controller adjusts the laser beam to a size that causes each set of four neighboring imaged discrete elements to have an unexposed or unablated area centered therebetween, wherein the unablated area resolves to a region on a surface of the plate below an uppermost level but above a non-printing level, and each of the four neighboring imaged discrete elements resolves to the uppermost level.

An imaging system, including a laser source and a controller, for producing a mask for a flexographic plate. The imaging data includes a base pattern comprised of spots superimposed on the image information and aligned to a grid defined by an imaging resolution of an imager. Each spot corresponding to an imaged discrete element in the base pattern is surrounded by eight spots corresponding to non-imaged discrete elements. In at least a portion of the mask corresponding to a non-solid tonal area of the plate, the controller adjusts the laser beam to a size that causes each set of four neighboring imaged discrete elements to have an unexposed or unablated area centered therebetween, wherein the unablated area resolves to a region on a surface of the plate below an uppermost level but above a non-printing level, and each of the four neighboring imaged discrete elements resolves to the uppermost level.

A halftone raster image suitable for rendering a continuous-tone image includes a plurality of spiral dots. The spiral dots include image pixels arranged as a first arc or as a plurality of arcs which together represent a first spiral, and non-image pixels arranged as a second arc or as a plurality of arcs which together represent a second spiral. The spiral dots enable a controlled spreading of the ink within the dot, resulting in a higher image quality, ink saving, and faster drying.

A printing plate for monotype prints includes a viscoelastic gel composition having a viscoelastic polymer selected from a hydrogenated poly-isoprene/butadiene polymer, poly(styrene-butadiene-styrene), poly(styrene-butadiene).sub.n, poly(styrene-isoprene-styrene), poly(styrene-isoprene).sub.n, poly(styrene-ethylene-propylene), poly(styrene-ethylene-propylene-styrene).sub.n, poly(styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene).sub.n, poly(styrene-ethylene-butylene), poly(styrene-ethylene-propylene).sub.n, poly(styrene-ethylene-butylene).sub.n, polystyrene, polybutylene, poly(ethylene-propylene), poly(ethylene-butylene), polypropylene, polyethylene, polyurethane and silicone, and a combination thereof, and a plasticizing oil. The viscoelastic gel composition has a smooth surface and is formed as a sheet and shaped for use as a printing plate. A method for using the elastomeric gel printing plates of the present invention is also provided.

A printing plate for monotype prints includes a viscoelastic gel composition having a viscoelastic polymer selected from a hydrogenated poly-isoprene/butadiene polymer, poly(styrene-butadiene-styrene), poly(styrene-butadiene).sub.n, poly(styrene-isoprene-styrene), poly(styrene-isoprene).sub.n, poly(styrene-ethylene-propylene), poly(styrene-ethylene-propylene-styrene).sub.n, poly(styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene).sub.n, poly(styrene-ethylene-butylene), poly(styrene-ethylene-propylene).sub.n, poly(styrene-ethylene-butylene).sub.n, polystyrene, polybutylene, poly(ethylene-propylene), poly(ethylene-butylene), polypropylene, polyethylene, polyurethane and silicone, and a combination thereof, and a plasticizing oil. The viscoelastic gel composition has a smooth surface and is formed as a sheet and shaped for use as a printing plate. A method for using the elastomeric gel printing plates of the present invention is also provided.

Systems and processes for making a flexo plate, and plates made thereby. Non-printing indicia defined by areas of presence and absence of polymer in the plate floor created using microdots imaged during a LAMS layer imaging step are readable downstream of the washing or other non-cured-polymer-removal step but not to print in the printing step. The non-printing indicia may define a repeating pattern of alphanumeric characters, non-text graphics, or a combination thereof. A difference in growth of plate structures corresponding to different types of microdots may be used for characterizing processing conditions.