A method for designing a printing plate for mounting on a printing cylinder. An optimal lateral seam path is defined between opposite lateral edges of the plate by applying an energy minimization function. Top and bottom edges of the plate are defined based upon the optimal lateral seam path, preferably with a variable gap therebetween, and the bottom edge is unwrapped from the top edge to define a closed cutting path. The area inside the closed cutting path is wrapped with artwork or portions thereof, and an updated digital graphics file stored. The energy minimization function may include a penalty function, overall seam path length, and seam path amplitude, with weighting factors. For artwork including staggered lanes of step and repeat one-up images, the optimal lateral seam path may extend across each lane through one-up images, steps between adjacent one-up images, or a combination thereof.

A method for designing a printing plate for mounting on a printing cylinder. An optimal lateral seam path is defined between opposite lateral edges of the plate by applying an energy minimization function. Top and bottom edges of the plate are defined based upon the optimal lateral seam path, preferably with a variable gap therebetween, and the bottom edge is unwrapped from the top edge to define a closed cutting path. The area inside the closed cutting path is wrapped with artwork or portions thereof, and an updated digital graphics file stored. The energy minimization function may include a penalty function, overall seam path length, and seam path amplitude, with weighting factors. For artwork including staggered lanes of step and repeat one-up images, the optimal lateral seam path may extend across each lane through one-up images, steps between adjacent one-up images, or a combination thereof.

A printing machine including a printing plate on a surface of a rotating cylinder, in which the printing plate has a fixed pattern for receiving a toner; a vessel containing the toner, which includes a pigment and a thermoplastic binder, in which the fixed pattern is a permanent pattern in a form of selected portions of an image is disclosed. A plate for use in the printing machine is also disclosed. A printing system is also disclosed.

A printing machine including a printing plate on a surface of a rotating cylinder, in which the printing plate has a fixed pattern for receiving a toner; a vessel containing the toner, which includes a pigment and a thermoplastic binder, in which the fixed pattern is a permanent pattern in a form of selected portions of an image is disclosed. A plate for use in the printing machine is also disclosed. A printing system is also disclosed.

A gravure printing plate includes a cylindrical or substantially cylindrical gravure roller with a peripheral surface. Plural cells corresponding to a pattern to be printed are disposed on the peripheral surface of the gravure roller. First and second regions are provided on the peripheral surface of the gravure roller. The pattern to be printed includes at least two patterns. Plural cells corresponding to one of the two patterns are disposed in the first region. Plural cells corresponding to the other one of the two patterns are disposed in the second region.

A gravure printing plate includes a cylindrical or substantially cylindrical gravure roller with a peripheral surface. Plural cells corresponding to a pattern to be printed are disposed on the peripheral surface of the gravure roller. First and second regions are provided on the peripheral surface of the gravure roller. The pattern to be printed includes at least two patterns. Plural cells corresponding to one of the two patterns are disposed in the first region. Plural cells corresponding to the other one of the two patterns are disposed in the second region.

A method for designing a printing plate for mounting on a printing cylinder. An optimal lateral seam path is defined between opposite lateral edges of the plate by applying an energy minimization function. Top and bottom edges of the plate are defined based upon the optimal lateral seam path, preferably with a variable gap therebetween, and the bottom edge is unwrapped from the top edge to define a closed cutting path. The area inside the closed cutting path is wrapped with artwork or portions thereof, and an updated digital graphics file stored. The energy minimization function may include a penalty function, overall seam path length, and seam path amplitude, with weighting factors. For artwork including staggered lanes of step and repeat one-up images, the optimal lateral seam path may extend across each lane through one-up images, steps between adjacent one-up images, or a combination thereof.

A method for designing a printing plate for mounting on a printing cylinder. An optimal lateral seam path is defined between opposite lateral edges of the plate by applying an energy minimization function. Top and bottom edges of the plate are defined based upon the optimal lateral seam path, preferably with a variable gap therebetween, and the bottom edge is unwrapped from the top edge to define a closed cutting path. The area inside the closed cutting path is wrapped with artwork or portions thereof, and an updated digital graphics file stored. The energy minimization function may include a penalty function, overall seam path length, and seam path amplitude, with weighting factors. For artwork including staggered lanes of step and repeat one-up images, the optimal lateral seam path may extend across each lane through one-up images, steps between adjacent one-up images, or a combination thereof.

A gravure printing plate includes a cylindrical or substantially cylindrical gravure roller with a peripheral surface. Plural cells corresponding to a pattern to be printed are disposed on the peripheral surface of the gravure roller. First and second regions are provided on the peripheral surface of the gravure roller. The pattern to be printed includes at least two patterns. Plural cells corresponding to one of the two patterns are disposed in the first region. Plural cells corresponding to the other one of the two patterns are disposed in the second region.

A gravure printing plate includes a cylindrical or substantially cylindrical gravure roller with a peripheral surface. Plural cells corresponding to a pattern to be printed are disposed on the peripheral surface of the gravure roller. First and second regions are provided on the peripheral surface of the gravure roller. The pattern to be printed includes at least two patterns. Plural cells corresponding to one of the two patterns are disposed in the first region. Plural cells corresponding to the other one of the two patterns are disposed in the second region.