The Letterflex Printing Plate.

A plastic relief printing plate, which allows the use of total photocomposition, has been developed for newspapers initially. The plate is prepared from a photographic negative using a liquid photocurable composition. Plate processing is carried out in a specially designed machine within a time cycle, which satisfies most newspaper production schedules. The finished plate is 0.025 inches thick with a total thickness variation of plus or minus 0.0005 inches. It is flexible and has a Shore A hardness of approximately 55. Printing quality equivalent to metal plates, for runs of 150,000 impressions or greater, can be obtained on letterpress presses with normal blankets, ink rollers, and news inks. To obtain optimum printing quality, high tolerance on press is required as well as minor modifications in rollers, blankets and ink.