The present invention relates to a printed substrate comprising a first paper layer, the first paper layer comprising a first side and an opposing second side, the first side comprising a flexography print area and a non-print area, wherein the flexography print area has a color density no less than about 0.70 as measured according to Color Density Test disclosed herein, and wherein the non-print area has a roughness in the range of from about 3 μm to about 15 μm as measured according to Surface Roughness Test disclosed herein; a package for accommodating one or more articles comprising the printed substrate; and a method of making the printed substrate.

Systems and methods for making a flexo plate, and plates, machines, readers, and computer readable media for use therewith. In the system, a plurality of processing machines, each configured to perform one or more process steps in a workflow, includes a controller, a variable operating parameter controlled by the controller, and a reader configured to read machine-readable indicia on the flexo plate. The machine-readable indicia (e.g. bar code, RFID tag, text) is configured for persistent readability downstream of washing (and cutting) steps, without printing in the printing step. The indicia may embody information including at least a plate identifier and instructions corresponding to the at least one variable operating parameter for each of the processing machines or information corresponding to an address in computer storage where the information resides.

Systems and methods for making a flexo plate, and plates, machines, readers, and computer readable media for use therewith. In the system, a plurality of processing machines, each configured to perform one or more process steps in a workflow, includes a controller, a variable operating parameter controlled by the controller, and a reader configured to read machine-readable indicia on the flexo plate. The machine-readable indicia (e.g. bar code, RFID tag, text) is configured for persistent readability downstream of washing (and cutting) steps, without printing in the printing step. The indicia may embody information including at least a plate identifier and instructions corresponding to the at least one variable operating parameter for each of the processing machines or information corresponding to an address in computer storage where the information resides.

An apparatus and methods for using coatings for metal applications are disclosed. According to one embodiment, an article comprises a cured polymeric film having a first reaction product of a cationic photoinitiator and a compound suitable for cationic polymerization. The article has a second reaction product of a free-radical photoinitiator and a compound suitable for free-radical polymerization; The article has a metal substrate, wherein the cured polymeric film coats the metal substrate.

A plate making system comprises a writing device, an exposure device, a developing device, a plate cutting device, a first transfer device, a second transfer device and a third transfer device in an integrated manner. The plate making system also comprises a control device that controls a series of plate making processes for a flexographic printing original plate performed by the writing device, the exposure device, the developing device and the plate cutting device.

A plate making system comprises a writing device, an exposure device, a developing device, a plate cutting device, a first transfer device, a second transfer device and a third transfer device in an integrated manner. The plate making system also comprises a control device that controls a series of plate making processes for a flexographic printing original plate performed by the writing device, the exposure device, the developing device and the plate cutting device.

A method of forming a digital image on a flexographic printing plate comprising: attaching a portion of photopolymer to a dimensionally stable backing sheet; attaching a lead edge strip and a trail edge strip to said dimensionally stable backing sheet to form a flexographic printing plate; securing the flexographic printing plate comprising a portion of photopolymer to an imaging cylinder by securing the lead edge strip to a lead edge lock formation and securing said trail edge strip to a trail edge lock formation; imparting an image to said portion of photopolymer; and washing said photopolymer to remove unreacted photopolymer and drying said photopolymer to form a processed flexographic printing plate.

A method of forming a digital image on a flexographic printing plate comprising: attaching a portion of photopolymer to a dimensionally stable backing sheet; attaching a lead edge strip and a trail edge strip to said dimensionally stable backing sheet to form a flexographic printing plate; securing the flexographic printing plate comprising a portion of photopolymer to an imaging cylinder by securing the lead edge strip to a lead edge lock formation and securing said trail edge strip to a trail edge lock formation; imparting an image to said portion of photopolymer; and washing said photopolymer to remove unreacted photopolymer and drying said photopolymer to form a processed flexographic printing plate.

A method of forming a digital image on a flexographic printing plate comprising: attaching a portion of photopolymer to a dimensionally stable backing sheet; attaching a lead edge strip and a trail edge strip to said dimensionally stable backing sheet to form a flexographic printing plate; securing the flexographic printing plate comprising a portion of photopolymer to an imaging cylinder by securing the lead edge strip to a lead edge lock formation and securing said trail edge strip to a trail edge lock formation; imparting an image to said portion of photopolymer; and washing said photopolymer to remove unreacted photopolymer and drying said photopolymer to form a processed flexographic printing plate.

A method of forming a digital image on a flexographic printing plate comprising: attaching a portion of photopolymer to a dimensionally stable backing sheet; attaching a lead edge strip and a trail edge strip to said dimensionally stable backing sheet to form a flexographic printing plate; securing the flexographic printing plate comprising a portion of photopolymer to an imaging cylinder by securing the lead edge strip to a lead edge lock formation and securing said trail edge strip to a trail edge lock formation; imparting an image to said portion of photopolymer; and washing said photopolymer to remove unreacted photopolymer and drying said photopolymer to form a processed flexographic printing plate.