Photopolymer Plate Characterisation (Improves the Predictability Consistency and Repeatability of the Printing Process)

Commercial pressure has forced improvements in the quality and consistency of photopolymer printing plates. One restraining factor for the flexographic printing process has been the lack of consistency. It was perceived that in order to make significant improvement to flexographic printing quality, an improved method of optimising platemaking techniques needed to be established. The aim of the experiment was not to define the optimum platemaking technique but to improve the understanding of the characteristics and properties of the photopolymer printing plate and to identify the key interacting factors affecting consistency. Investigations into the complex interactions of many variable factors that take place during the printing plate production process were carried out. Various statistical methods were employed for the design of the experiment and for the interpretation of experimental data generated. Three popular photopolymer printing plates from different manufactures were subjected to a series of experimental investigations. Each type of plate used in the experiment was found to have unique latitude to processing conditions. The results of the investigation have been used to fine-tune the flexographic platemaking technique to significantly manipulate the platemaking properties for the end-use application to enhance the plates printing performance and consistency.