A platen conveyance device includes a first conveyance path, a platen supporter, a second conveyance path, and a positioner. The first conveyance path is configured to convey a platen to a pretreatment device. The platen supporter is configured to support the platen conveyed by the first conveyance path. The second conveyance path is provided with the platen supporter. The second conveyance path is configured to convey the platen supporter to a printer. The positioner is configured to position the platen supported by the platen supporter at a prescribed printing position in a horizontal direction.

A recording apparatus includes a recording section configured to perform recording onto a medium, a facing section facing a recording surface of a medium at a discharge position where the medium recorded by the recording section is discharged, and a light emitter configured to emit light toward the recording surface. The facing section includes an optical member disposed at a position where the light emitted by the light emitter enters, the optical member being configured to pass the incident light toward at least the recording surface.

A plate processing line and methods for producing a flexographic printing plate. An imaging station applies image information to a first plate. A first exposure station cures the first plate. One or more of water, a solvent, and/or a thermal process is further applied to the first plate. A drying station or an after-exposure station is configured to expose the plate to further radiation. A feeding station is configured to feed the first plate cured by the exposure station and a second plate cured by a second exposure station to the processing station. A transportation cart may transport the plate between the first or second exposure stations and the processing station.

A printing plate picking mechanism includes a plate cassette stacking mechanism having an array of plate cassettes, each plate cassette adapted to hold a plurality of printing plates separated by intervening sheets of paper. A plate cassette movement mechanism is adapted to move a selected plate cassette to a printing plate loading position. A plate picker is adapted to contact and hold the leading edge of the topmost printing plate and transport it to plate transport pinch rollers. A paper picking unit includes a paper picker adapted to contact and hold a leading edge of a topmost sheet of paper in the selected plate cassette, and a plate guide positioned above the paper picker to guide the printing plate held by said plate picker. A vertical alignment system is adapted to vertically align the plate picker and the paper picking unit with the selected plate cassette.

A platen conveyance device includes a first conveyance path, a platen supporter, a second conveyance path, and a positioner. The first conveyance path is configured to convey a platen to a pretreatment device. The platen supporter is configured to support the platen conveyed by the first conveyance path. The second conveyance path is provided with the platen supporter. The second conveyance path is configured to convey the platen supporter to a printer. The positioner is configured to position the platen supported by the platen supporter at a prescribed printing position in a horizontal direction.

A recording apparatus includes a recording section configured to perform recording onto a medium, a facing section facing a recording surface of a medium at a discharge position where the medium recorded by the recording section is discharged, and a light emitter configured to emit light toward the recording surface. The facing section includes an optical member disposed at a position where the light emitted by the light emitter enters, the optical member being configured to pass the incident light toward at least the recording surface.

A printing plate picking mechanism includes a plate cassette stacking mechanism having an array of plate cassettes, each plate cassette adapted to hold a plurality of printing plates separated by intervening sheets of paper. A plate cassette movement mechanism is adapted to move a selected plate cassette to a printing plate loading position. A plate picker is adapted to contact and hold the leading edge of the topmost printing plate and transport it to plate transport pinch rollers. A paper picking unit includes a paper picker adapted to contact and hold a leading edge of a topmost sheet of paper in the selected plate cassette, and a plate guide positioned above the paper picker to guide the printing plate held by said plate picker. A vertical alignment system is adapted to vertically align the plate picker and the paper picking unit with the selected plate cassette.

A plate processing line and methods for producing a flexographic printing plate. An imaging station applies image information to a first plate. A first exposure station cures the first plate. One or more of water, a solvent, and/or a thermal process is further applied to the first plate. A drying station or an after-exposure station is configured to expose the plate to further radiation. A feeding station is configured to feed the first plate cured by the exposure station and a second plate cured by a second exposure station to the processing station. A transportation cart may transport the plate between the first or second exposure stations and the processing station.