A method of flexographically printing a plurality of lines onto a substrate includes providing a flexo-master having a pattern of raised features including a plurality of lines. At least two of the lines intersect at a junction, wherein the junction includes one or more hollow voids. The flexo-master is used to apply ink onto the substrate forming a printed pattern including a printed junction corresponding to the junction on the flexo-master, wherein the printed junction has a different shape than the junction on the flexo-master.

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.

An actinic radiation curable composition comprising a carboxylated acrylate, a urethane acrylate, a monomer, and a photoinitiator is disclosed herein, which both provides satisfactory adhesion to a substrate surface and may be effectively removed by caustic wash. Also provided is a method of printing, comprising applying an actinic radiation curable composition as disclosed herein onto a surface of a substrate, curing the applied composition, and applying an ink on the cured composition.

An actinic radiation curable composition comprising a carboxylated acrylate, a urethane acrylate, a monomer, and a photoinitiator is disclosed herein, which both provides satisfactory adhesion to a substrate surface and may be effectively removed by caustic wash. Also provided is a method of printing, comprising applying an actinic radiation curable composition as disclosed herein onto a surface of a substrate, curing the applied composition, and applying an ink on the cured composition.

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.

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.

A method for fabricating a flexographic printing plate for printing image patterns including one or more uniform image regions includes defining a repeating tile having a plurality of different feature shapes positioned in a pattern of pseudo-random feature locations. A plate formation pattern corresponding to the image pattern is determined wherein the repeating tile is applied in a tiled arrangement to the uniform image regions. The plate formation pattern is used to form a flexographic printing plate, wherein regions of the flexographic printing plate corresponding to the uniform image regions of the image pattern include a pattern of raised features in positions corresponding to the feature positions in the repeating tile.

A method for fabricating a flexographic printing plate for printing image patterns including one or more uniform image regions includes defining a repeating tile having a pattern of feature shapes positioned at pseudo-random feature locations. A plate formation pattern corresponding to the image pattern is determined wherein the repeating tile is applied in a tiled arrangement to the uniform image regions. The plate formation pattern is used to form a flexographic printing plate, wherein regions of the flexographic printing plate corresponding to the uniform image regions of the image pattern include a pattern of raised features in positions corresponding to the feature positions in the repeating tile.

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.